Benjamin S. Pritchard, farmer and stock dealer of the Thirteenth District, was born in Carroll County in 1835, and is one of a family of ten children, only three of whom are living: Martha J. (Mrs. Henry Cox), B. S. and Susan (Mrs. Thomas L. Key). The father of our subject, Charles Pritchard, was born in Anson County, N.C., in 1797, and his father, Jesse Pritchard, immigrated from North Carolina to Carroll County in 1834, where he passed the remainder of his days. In about 1817 Charles was married to Martha Williams, and in 1833 came to Carroll County, where he settled and engaged in farming. He died March 4, 1872, and at that time was the owner of 3,000 acres of land. The mother of Benjamin was also a native of North Carolina, born about 1800 and died in October, 1883.
Our subject grew to manhood under the parental roof and received a common-school education. In February, 1860, he married Amanda Philips, and by this marriage had five children, two living: J. Homes and Sherad. After marriage Mr. Pritchard located in Henderson County, where he remained till 1882 and then removed to the farm on which he now resides. This consists of 323 acres of excellent land about three miles south of Clarksburg. He also owns 800 acres of land in other tracts, 325 of which is in Henderson County. He is one of the most extensive and enterprising farmers in the county. Mrs. Pritchard died January 7, 1874, and in November of the same year he married Lou Parker, who was born in Carroll County in 1833, and who is the daughter of J. C. and Elizabeth Parker.
Previous to this, in April, 1864, Mr. Pritchard offered his services in defense of his country by enlisting under Capt. James Gooch and served under Gen. Forrest’s command. He was at Harrisburg and Brice’s Cross-roads, and returned home in August of the same year. He is a Democrat in politics; was formerly a Whig and cast his first vote for John Bell. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and a liberal supporter of religion and charitable institutions.
Transcribed by David Donahue
Source: History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present: Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of Carroll, Henry and Benton Counties, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Original Observations, Reminiscences, Etc., Etc. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press, 1978.