Zadock Pratt Jr.

Lieutenant William Pratt came from England with his brother John to Hartford, CT in June 1636.
William Pratt was his third son.
Benjamin Pratt was William’s first son.
Zephaniah Pratt was Benjamin’s third son.
Zadock Pratt was Zephaniah’s second son.
Zadock Pratt, Jr. was the second son of Zadock.

1790: Born at Stephentown, NY. October 30.Worked with his father tanning in Middleburgh, NY. He was the fifth child and the second son of three sons and four daughters.

1797: Moved to Middleburgh, NY with his father’s family.

1800: Was at the funeral services for General George Washington on Feb. 22.

1802: Moved to Windham, now Lexington, Greene County, NY. Worked at tanning in his father’s yard.

1809: Invented an improvement in a three-cornered eye-board leather pump to change the liquors from the tan vats. Walked forth miles in one day in June without food or drink as a matter of curiosity.

1810: Apprenticed to Luther Hays, a saddler in Durham. Worked extra hours after 9:00 to buy a silver watch, his first.

1811: Worked as a journeyman saddler with his father and brothers for $10./month.

1812: Started business on his own in Lexington as a saddler. Worked 14-16 hrs./day, kept good records, a practice he maintained through life.

1813: Added a store at one end of his saddlery and slept under the counter at night.

1814: Went to war in August as a soldier in defense of NYC. Caused 100,000 oars to be made of ash in the Catskills and transported to NYC.

1815: Sold his stock in trade before the recession following war’s end. Formed a partnership with his two brothers in tanning. He lived with his two brothers and the eldest’s wife in the same house. Became a trustee of the insolvent Presbyterian Church and Society in Lexington, collected on their debts and church finances were saved.

1816: Joined the Masonic Order at Windham.

1817: Married Beda Dickerman on October 6 th , daughter of Hezekiah Dickerman, formerly of Hamden, CT.

1818: Beda died of tuberculosis on April 19 th , 26 yrs. Voyage by sea to Charleston, SC in December, became seasick coming and going, “learned enough of seafaring life”.

1819: Was a sergeant in Captain Smith’s company of cavalry.

1820: Unanimously chosen Captain in the Fifth Regiment of NY State Artillery on April 25 and uniforms the company of 100 men at this own expense. Became a Trustee in the Congregational Society, Lexington on October 2. Goes to Canada in winter with leather to purchase furs, “camps in woods upon the snow”.

1821: Lexington Tannery burned in February. Received a Captain’s commission from Gov. Clinton in the Fifth Artillery Regiment on March 21. Marries his second wife, Esther Dickerman, sister of Beda, on Oct. 2.

1823: Resigned his Captain’s commission. Unanimously elected Colonel in 116th Regiment of Infantry, NY on July 12th. Gave a gilt sword to Capt. Alvin Bushnell of the company of artillery he had formerly commanded.

1824: Esther died on April 22 of tuberculosis, aged 30 years. Appointed Justice of the Peace for Greene Cty. in May, appointed foreman of the county grand jury. Received a note of thanks from the Presbytery at Lexington for $100 donation in aid of their missionary cause. Staged the sham Battle of Lodi in Windham on Oct. 6, gave 125 lbs. of powder to the regiment and silk sash to each officer. Was at the celebration of the completion of the Erie Canal. Spent the summer exploring mountain passers in Sullivan, Ulster and Delaware counties for possible tannery sites. Moved to Schohariekill on October 24, carrying all in a one-horse cart “and purchased for $1300 the beautiful meadow on which Prattsville now stands. The next day he ‘broke ground’ for his greatly tannery.” Told the residents he came to live with them, not on them. Began to build the tannery dam and swam across the resulting pond on Nov. 21 “though the day was bitter cold and ice was making fast.”

1825: Began to build a 530’ x 43’ tannery at Schohariekill on March 14 “with 300 vats, conductors under the vats, and twelve leches with six heaters, together with three hide mills, and ball or press pumps, putting hides in it eighty-three days…” Built over 100 houses over the years. Commanded the escort of General Lafayette into Catskill. Jumped 18 feet on Sept. 18, resigned command of the regiment to the Governor of NY. Became a Trustee of the Tanners’ Friendly Association of Greene County on Oct. 12. Village of Prattsville laid out after the turnpike was straightened and pulled away from the creek. Map of the village made by A.H. Jackson, surveyor.

1826: Esther dies on April 22nd “Mansion house built, and hickory, maple, and elms planted in front of his house and on each side of the street, or sidewalks, throughout the village.”

1827: Elected Supervisor of Windham.

1829: Married third wife, Abigail Watson, daughter of Wheeler Watson, Esq., a tanner from Rensselaerville, on Jan. 12. Zadock Pratt, Sr. died at 74 in Lexington. He had engaged in several Revolutionary War battles and was twice taken prisoner, including on board a prison ship in New York harbor.

1830: George Watson Pratt was born on April 18.

1832: Julia Pratt was born on February 10, died on March 13, 1898 in New Haven, CT, buried in Grove Street Cemetery, New Haven. Mother died at age 74. The town of Prattsville was set off from Windham on March 8 with a population of about 1500.

1834: Daughter Abigail was born on January 24, died on May 14. Wife Abigail died on February 5, aged 28. .

1835: Married Mary Watson, Abigail’s sister, on March 16. Received thanks from the Delaware Circuit for donation of a lot for the use of the elder of that Circuit. Reformed Dutch Church of Prattsville rebuilt. Pratt donated a bell and was a trustee and superintendent. Methodist Episcopal Church built and Pratt donated the lot , and 1/3 the cost of construction of both churches.

1836: Built a bridge 130’ long over Schoharie Kill in March in eleven days when snow was 3’ deep, without the use of “ardent spirits”. Received a vote of thanks from the Methodist Church for donation of a lot and house on May 8th. Elected a Representative to Congress from the Eighth District of New York in November. At the same time was chosen as one of the electors of President and Vice-President of New York.

1837: Took a seat in Congress in the extra session called by President van Buren on September 4th. Appointed to the standing commission to the militia the same day. Congress adjourned on Oct. 16, met again on Dec. 4. Appointed to Committee upon Military Affairs, one of the standing committee on public buildings and grounds. “Built a double lattice bridge, 190 feet span, across the Schoharie-kill - total length 226 feet, 26 feet wide.” “Prattsville painted by Durand, and now in the possession of C.M. Leupp, Esq. of New York.” Received the Silver Medal of the New York Institute in October, the first granted to a tanner for the best specimen of hemlock-tanned sole leather. Appointed to the standing committee on public buildings and grounds on Dec. 11th .

1838: Presented a resolution for procuring foreign seeds and plants to be distributed gratuitously to the farmers of America on March 12. Moved a resolution in favor of the reduction of postage on March 19. Offered a resolution directing portraits of the first five presidents to be executed by American artists and placed in the executive mansion on April 4th, but not passed. Published an address to his constituents partially reviewing the proceedings in Congress and declining reelection on July 4th. Received a Silver Medal from the American Institute for “three sides of the best hemlock-tanned sole leather.”

1839: Moved a resolution on January 14 th “that the Committee of Ways and Means be instructed to report a bill directing the Secretary of the Treasury to furnish blanks to enable all banks to make uniform returns throughout the country.” Moved a resolution of inquiry on January 28 th “respecting the material of which public buildings at Washington are constructed.” Presented a report on February 25 th on “the quality of materials used in constructing public buildings at Washington, concluding with a resolution that the material hereafter used for that purpose shall be of the most durable kind – either marble or granite. At the same time, he submitted a plan and estimates for the new General Post Office, - and that building, the finest in Washington, has since been erected of marble, according to his plan.” Gave a speech on March 1 st on constructing a dry dock in Brooklyn, “embracing statistics on commerce, navigation, imports and exports of bullion for ten yeas.” Moved a bill to establish a Branch Mint in NYC. Offers another similar bill in 1844. Delivered an oration at Prattsville on July 4th. Was elected a member of the American Institute in September. Tannery in Westkill, Lexington burnt. Loss $10,000., insured $7000. Offered $5000. on October 25 th to establish an academy in Prattsville if matching funds are raised by “any Christian denomination”.

1842: Elected to Congress from the Eleventh District of New York in November.Delivered an address before the Mechanics Society of Catskill, of which he was a member, on December 29th. The brick Prattsville Academy building was constructed for between $3-4000., half of which was provided by Pratt.

1843: Established a bank at Prattsville with $100,000. capital, “wholly secured by six and seven per cent stocks of the United States and State of New York; its bills kept at par in the city of New York.” Appointed chairman of the Committee of Public Buildings on December 11 th .

1844: Moved an amendment on January 8 th in favor of “the remission of the fine upon General Jackson, to place on record he fact that fifteen out of seventeen millions of the inhabitants of the United States had so instructed their delegates in Congress.” Elected president in January, of the Greene County Agricultural Society. Moved on January 29 th “the appointment of a select committee to inquire into the expediency of establishing a Bureau of Statistics and Commerce, in connection with the Secretary of the Treasury. Is appointed chairman of said committee.” Was on board the Princeton in February at the time of the explosion of its great gun, when Messrs Upshur, Gilmer and others were killed. Made a report on March 7 th on “the application of the citizens of Washington to have a clock furnished at the public expense.” On the same day, reported “on the situation, cost & c., of the public buildings and grounds, and expenditures of the presidential mansion.” Submitted a report on March 8 “as chairman of the select committee on the Bureau of Statistics and Commerce, with valuable tables, showing the loans and discounts of the banks; imports and exports, and balance of trade, for a series of years, of our government with other nations; illustrating the importance of the proposed measure, and concluding with a bill to provide for the collection of national statistics.” On March 18, “moved resolution respecting care and management of the furnaces used to heat the halls and rooms of the capitol.” Offered a resolution on April 12 “for the appropriation of the public ground for a national monument.” On the same day made “additional report on the plan submitted by him for fire-proof buildings for the War and Navy Departments” and “reported bill for an addition of a wing to the Patent Office.” . Offered a bill for an Asa Whitney monument and the importance of constructing a railroad to the Pacific. Offers bill for site selection and construction of Washington monument on Dec. 31.

1845: “Presents a memorial from 47 editors and authors, in favor of placing magazines and periodicals on the same footing with newspapers, as respects mail privileges, in furtherance of his plan of providing for a cheap and uniform postage” on Feb. 19. “Moved resolution for the appointment of three commissioners to investigate the public departments and bureaus at Washington, with a view to a better organization, and an equalization of duties and salaries of public officers” on Feb. 21. “Reports a bill for amendment of the naturalization laws” on Feb. 26. “Moved an amendment to the general appropriation bill, providing for the survey, under direction of the Secretary of War, of a railroad route from Lake Michigan to the south pass of the Rocky Mountains, to Oregon” on Feb. 27. “Moved a bill respecting the Smithsonian Institution, the substance of which has since become a law, providing that apportion of the income of the Smithsonian fund should be appropriate for the improvement of agriculture and the mechanical arts” on Feb. 28. “Makes report on the salaries of all the officers employed at Washington, showing the amount received by each, and the states from which they were appointed” on March 3. “Makes a report on the statistics of the United States Declines reelection to Congress on March 5. Elected an honorary member of the Franklin Institute for promotion of the mechanical arts, Philadelphia, on July 1. “Offers a resolution calling on the Secretary of State to furnish the statistics of Texas, pending her admission into the Union”. Received a diploma from NYS Agricultural Society for the best specimen of hemlock tanned sole leather.

1846: Closed the Prattsville tannery. Elected a corresponding member of the American Agricultural Association.

1847: Tours southern and southwestern states in March with George, them 18. “Addresses a letter to the people of the United States on the importance of a railroad across the continent to the Pacific Ocean” on Aug. 28. Delivered an address on Sept. 23 at the dedication of the Spencertown, NY Academy and received thanks from the Academy on Nov. 22 nd for a ‘liberal donation”.

1848: Gave a lecture on Jan. 4 to the Mercantile Library Association of Hudson, NY. ”Received the thanks of the Greene County Baptist Missionary Society, for donation” on Jan. 14. Elected a corresponding member of the New York Historical Society on March 7. Received an honorary Master of Arts degree from Union College, Schenectady, “the first instance in this state of a similar honor conferred upon a self-taught mechanic” on July 28.

1849: Elected president of the Mechanics’ Institute of the city of New York on January 2, Delivered an address on his inauguration at City Hall, New York on January 16.

1850: in July, “the stone-cutters of Washington voted a block of marble to be made a part of the Washington Monument, in honor of him, as the working-man of Congress.” On September 20, he was “appointed by the Governor of New York on the committee of arrangements in respect to the World’s Fair, to take place in London, 1851.”

1851: On February 25, “appointed delegate to the World’s Fair, by the Mechanics’ Institute, Baltimore, Md.” On September 23, “elected honorary member of the Mechanics’ Association, Baltimore, Md.”

1852: “Elected delegate to the Democratic Convention to meet at Baltimore, in June, to nominate candidates for President and Vice-president of the United States.”

1853: Received an honorary AM degree from Union College, Schenectady, the first offered by the institution. Joined the American Geographical and Statistical Society of New York City. March: Went with his daughter to Charleston, SC, Savannah, GA and Havana, Cuba. Delivered his third lecture on tanning in Savannah, GA March 15. Tannery at Windham burned at noon on June 8 th for second time. The loss was $12,000., insured for $10,500. Served as a delegate from Grace Church, Prattsville to the Episcopal Convention in New York for the election of provincial bishops. J.M. Wainwright elected. Received a diploma, medal and three elegant gilt-bound volumes, with a likeness of Prince Albert, for six different kinds f sole leather and bolts sent to the World’s fair, London, from as many tanneries; received by letter from President Millard Fillmore. Elected President of the Sixpenny Savings Bank, New York City, one of the first of its kind on July 7. Elected President of the Sacketts Harbor and Saratoga Railroad Company on Sept. 29, but declined. Gave his son and daughter, on their coming of age, each $50,000., and each one-half of a tannery – George the Samsonville and Julia the Aldenville. Julia married on October 26 in Grace Church, Prattsville to the Hon. Colin Macrae Ingersoll of New Haven, CT. On October 30 rode his favorite gray horse, Prince, then twenty-seven years old, forty miles from Prattsville to Samsonville in a half day (afternoon) with the saddle and bridle that he had made over thirty years before, accompanied by his two dogs, Rough, a Canadian breed of Irish Mastiff and Tanner, a St. Bernard. He was that day sixty three years of age.

1854: Elected honorary member of the Historical Society of the State of Wisconsin on March 9. Appointed by the Legislature of New York State Director of the U.S. Inebriate Asylum. Gave a bell to the Reformed Dutch Church of Samsonville, NY. Received an acknowledgment in December from Horace Webster, LLD for a bust by Jones for the Free Academy of New York City.

1855: Lectured on March 8 before the Mechanics Institute, New York City on “The Horse”. Went on board the steamer “Crescent City” on March 17 at New York, bound for Havana, then to New Orleans. Came back on the “Cahawba” via Havana to New York. He was gone about a month. While at Havana o march 31 saw E. Strampes garroted for high treason. On may 31 his son, George W. Pratt was married to Anna Tibbits, daughter of Benjamin Tibbits, Esq. of Albany by the Right Reverend Bishop Potter of PA. Made an honorary member of the Mechanics Institute of New York City on July 10. Appointed a judge on leather by the New Jersey Agricultural Society at Camden, NJ on July 17. Accepted. Invited to address the Housatonic Agricultural Society Cattle Show and Fair at Great Barrington, Berkshire County, MA on July 18. Declined. Invited as a visitor to the Division Encampment at Kingston by the officers on August 20 at which there were 1000 tents. Declined. Appointed one of the judges of horses by the Rhode Island State Society for the Encouragement of Domestic Industry at the Horse and Cattle Show at Providence, RI. Declined. Invited on Set. 18 to address the Fairfield County Agricultural Society at Fairfield, CT on “The Horse”. Declined. Made a delegate on Sept. 27 to the Episcopal Convention in New York. Finished cleaning, sowing rye and seeding sixty acres of new land on his farm on October 12, and the next morning there were six inches of snow. Returned home on October 20, having traveled by stage, railroad and steamboat over 1400 miles in less than eight days and felt no fatigue – nearly 65 years old. On November 8 on the same farm, on the side of the hill lately burned over to grow into timber. Planted walnuts, chestnuts, beechnuts, butternuts and black walnuts and sowed hard maple and locust seeds, topdressing with timothy. Also made zigzag roads all along the side of the hill and made one mile of stone fence. On December 1 all Prattsville Bank bills redeemed, but $1318., twelve years from the first issue. Has since continued to redeem at par all bills on presentation, claiming no legal exemption. In 1861 all were redeemed but about $1100. Pratt Guards, a company of uniformed militia, formed at Cairo, Greene Cty. And named after him. Gave them a stand of colors.

1856: Delivered a lecture on Cuba before the Kingston Literary Association on January 7. Pratt and Jay Gould partnership on Gouldsboro, PA tannery formed in September.

1857: Received bounty land warrants in June for 160 acres for serving in the War of 1812, 43 years before. Gave the warrant to his grandson, George. Elected a member of the Geographical and Statistical Society of New York City. Erected a monument on August 28 of Groton granite, fifteen feet high with three shields to the memory of the Hon. Malbene Watson in the Cemetery of Catskill, NY bearing the inscription “The Last Judge”. On November 3 George was elected a Democratic Senator for Greene and Ulster Counties, being the Tenth Senatorial District. When nominated the political majority against him was over 3000, yet he was elected by a 1493 majority, one town giving him nearly every vote. Received a letter on December 5 from an officer of the Treasury Dept. in Washington stating that ”a portion of the papers of the department had been nearly destroyed, caused by the dampness absorbed by the porous sandstone of which it is built; which you reported against, I remember well, as chairman of the Committee on Public Buildings and Public Grounds; thus verifying your prediction, made twenty years ago when you urged before Congress the erection of a new granite building”. The report made to congress showed that thirteen cubic feet of sandstone would absorb seventy three pounds of water while granite or marble absorbed little, if any.

1858: Went to Panama and Aspinwall on February 27 on the steamer “Moses Taylor” and came back on her return trip. Bathed in the Atlantic and Pacific on the same day. Exhibited a pair of gray matched horses at the Springfield, MA Fair. Afterward sold them for $2800. Received a diploma on October 3 from the Greene Cty. Agricultural Society for the best dairy of butter made from fifty cows, Also received a diploma for the best span of matched horses. Took passage on December 12 on the steamer “Cahawba” for Havana. Having landed there on December 20 the thermometer indicated 76 degrees in the shade. Received an honorary diploma from the NY State Agricultural Society for the best dairy farm – 365 acres, 50 cows. Sailed to Europe on the steamer “Arago”, stopping in England at Southampton, London, where he saw the House of Lords and Commons and Lord Chief Justice as Chancellor, sitting arranged in their black gowns. Went to Westminster Abbey and witnessed the Queen’s Review all in one day, then proceeded to Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Liverpool. Visited Paris and other places in France. Returned on the steamer “Canada” and ran into an iceberg in the fog and came near sinking on July 9 off Newfoundland.

1859: “Finally closed his tanning business at Prattsville and elsewhere, dissolving his connection with various partners, after turning out over two million sides of Leather, and used over 200,000 cords of Bark – employing from first to last 40,000 men, whose compensation amounted to $2,500,000; and caused to be cleared 12,000 acres of land.” Aggregate capital employed - $16,000,000. Elected President of the American Union Assn. for Inventors and Exhibitors of NYC in January. Declined. Was made Chairman of the NY State Agricultural Society on October 6 at its annual convention in Albany. Elected an honorary member of the Nu Pi Kappa Society, Kenyon College in Gambier, OH on Dec. 19. Went to California on Dec. 20 via Aspinwall and came back by the Southern Overland Mail Route through Los Angeles, Arizona, Gila River, Rio Grande, Fort Smith to St. Luis in February, riding nineteen consecutive days and nights in a stagecoach, only stopping to change horses. Distance over 3000 miles.

1860: Elected an honorary member of and received an honorary diploma from the California State Agricultural Society in January. Elected an honorary member of and received an honorary diploma from the Mechanic’s Institute of San Francisco, CA on Feb. 27. Wrote a series of letters giving a description of California and his journey to and from there, giving much valuable information. Elected an honorary member of the Ulster Historical Society in June. Wrote “a series of letters descriptive of his European tour, which were generally published in most of the prominent newspapers”.

1861: Went to Matanzas, Cuba in March, visiting Trinidad, Havana and other places of note, making close observations of the country and inhabitants. Elected from junior to senior warden of Grace Church, Prattsville on July 26th. Gave to the town of Prattsville the grounds for a cemetery of about twenty acres and laid it out in terraces, with ornamental mounds. Sent to Twentieth Regiment, NY State Militia, Col. George W. Pratt, Commander, in October, whilst battling for their country in Maryland, six firkins of butter. In token of their gratitude, the soldiers, on its receipt, exclaimed “long life to the generous donors, its is a God send to us”. Went to Nassau, New Providence (one of the Bahama Islands) on December 11. While there, wrote a description of the island and the inhabitants. Seven engravings, giving complete views of his Prattsville dairy farm and its buildings, appeared on the U.S, Patent office Reports.

1862: On August 30, “his son, George W. Pratt, born on April 18. 1830 in Prattsville, a Colonel commanding the 20 th Regiment of the NY Militia (volunteers) fell wounded at the Battle of Manassas (VA) whilst gallantly leading his Regiment against the rebels. Died at Albany, NY, September 11, 1862, aged 32 years, 4 months, and 23 days. In his private relations universally beloved – in public life, as an honorable Senator, pre-eminently respected – no braver or truer soldier ever died for his country”.

1863: Went to Havana on the steamer “Pacific” in January and returned by the same vessel. Rough passage both ways and thought the boat was going down. Unanimously elected Supervisor of Prattsville, Greene County in April. Upon assembly of the Board was chosen Chairman of the Board of Canvassers. Donated his compensation ($100.) to the town of Prattsville for the support of the poor. Was awarded the distinction of Honorary Member of the Buffalo Historical Society on May 30. “Completed a bust of his son, Col. George W. Pratt, cut in the rocks near the village of Prattsville, bearing the following inscription: ‘Hon. G. W. Pratt, Ph.D. Colonel XX Regiment N.Y.S.M. Ulster County. Born April 18th 1830. Wounded August 30th, in the Second Battle of Manassas, Virginia. Died at Albany, September 11, 1862. Good - brave - honorable!’ The likeness to the lamented hero is striking and he is represented in full uniform. In bold relief is an uplifted hand (the right), and the Coat of Arms of the Ulster Guard, with the motto: ‘This hand is for my Country’, surrounded with an elegantly cut wreath. The bust is admittedly the chef d’oeuvre of the artistic work upon the rocks”.

1864: Elected a Life Member of the NY State Agricultural Society. Made an Honorary Member of the NY State Military Assn. at Albany on Feb. 22nd. Unanimously re-chosen Supervisor in April of the town of Prattsville. “At the annual session honored with the Chairmanship of the Board”.

1865: Awarded an honorary diploma in September “for the distinction of being the best Equestrian at the Greene City. (NY) Agricultural Exhibition, then 75 years of age”. “His taxes footed up to an aggregate exceeding one thousand dollars”.

1866: Made Chairman pro tem on the organization of the Board of Directors of the Rondout and Oswego Railroad at a meeting held on May 22 at Middletown, Delaware Cty. Appointed director of the organization of the Rondout and Oswego Railroad Company. “Went by steamer in February from NYC to Charleston, SC. Thence visited Savannah, GA, and St. Johnsville and St. Augustine, FL. Reached home, on the return trip, the following March”.

1868: Mary Pratt dies on July 17th, aged 58 years.

1869: Married Susan Amelia Grimm (1839-1908) on October 16 at Grace Episcopal Church, Prattsville. After Pratt’s death Susie married John Nudefill Briggs in 1892, John S. Wendell in 1903. Susie died in 1908.

1871: Pratt dies of a fever in Prattsville on April 6, was buried in Prattsville Cemetery.