Person:Minter Prickett (1)

1880 United States Federal Census > Virginia > Washington > Abingdon > District 93 McConnell, T. G W M 55 McConnell, Rachel E. W F 45 wife McConnell, Robert W M 17 son McConnell, Paulina W F 15 daughter McConnell, Charlie W M 12 son Prickett, Minter J. W M 22 - Prickett, Laura W F 22 daughter Prickett, Laura W F 1/12 Hardin, Janetta B F 19 cook

The following notes are by Patricia Prickett Hickin (see sources below): 'Mint' was working in one of Minter Jackson's stores in Virginia at 17 years of age when his father, Wm. B. F. Prickett died. He didn't attempt to go home for the funeral, but his mother and sister 'Nellie' kept him informed of his father’s health. They also spoke frequently of reading everything they could get their hands on–no easy matter in the back hills of Greenbrier Co. Mint himself longed to go to college for at least a year, but could see no way to manage it financially.

"Minter Jackson was Minter Jackson Prickett's uncle, brother of his mother and Mint was named for this uncle. Minter Jackson and Mint were very different in temperament, with the older man being serious, thrifty, hardworking and financially astute, whereas his nephew was inclined to be academic and fun-loving to the end of his life. Mint was also a patient and openly loving father though perhaps somewhat inclined to live a bit beyond his means.

"By mid-1881 Mint had moved to Rural Retreat to operate one of his Uncle Minter Jackson's stores. He later entered into partnership with his uncle, shared the profits and still later agreed to buy the store with a large loan from Minter Jackson. About 1890 his younger brother, James Tennyson Prickett, joined him and the two brothers formed a partnership.

"Mint, who had respiratory problems from an early age, contracted pneumonia when he was 38 years old and died 8 months after Minter Jr. was born, leaving his young (37 year old) widow and family traumatized. At the time of his death Mint was still in debt to his uncle, who apparently did not expect to be repaid. It is possible that James Tennyson eventually paid off the loan, or a portion of it, to their uncle.

"In their short 16 1/2 years of marriage, Laura Bell had borne 11 children, four of whom died in infancy: virtually all the rest lived to their 80th year and beyond. Her children and subsequent generations ordinarily spelled her middle name as 'Belle'.

"Minter resided in Blue Sulphur Spring, Greenbrier Co.WV; Smyth County,VA; Abingdon, Washington Co., VA, and for the last fifteen years of his life in Rural Retreat, Wythe Co.,VA.

"SOURCES: Prickett Family Papers on presently closed deposit at Virginia Historical Society, Richmond, VA: Letters from Nancy Jackson, Kate, James T., and Nellie Prickett to MJP [Sr.] in the mid-1870s. Typescript of MJP [Sr.] Diary, 13 Aug 1877- 25 May1879, Letters of Laura Bell (“Lollie”) McConnell and M.J. ‘Mint’ Prickett [Sr.] 1877-ca 1894."

1.   Jackson, P. A. Jackson Ledger. (1887)
   74, 75.
2.   Research family notes of Patricia Prickett Hickin rrj add the at ntelos add the dot net.
3.   United States. 1880 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T9)
   Abington, Washington Co, VA.

   Living with T. G. McConnell. Had 11 children.