John Benjamin Pryor
Encyclopedia
John Benjamin Pryor was a noted Thoroughbred
racehorse
trainer
. He was the trainer of Lexington
, a top racehorse of the 1850s and whose excellence in competition and as a sire stud continued well into the 20th century earning the horse induction in to the United States' National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
in 1955.
from Alabama.1
on the 1850 and 1860 US Census.2 He was a slave owner and horse trainer, employed by the prominent Mississippi politician Adam Lewis Bingaman
. He became the trainer of Lexington
, the most famous race horse of the 1850s, after racing entrepreneur Richard Ten Broeck and his syndicate purchased the horse "in no very long time Lexington was shipped south to Natchez
, where he was placed in charge of Adam Lewis Bingaman, whose stable was trained by the veteran J. B. Pryor, then at the head of his profession."3 Lexington's skeleton is displayed at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC and in the 1950’s he was entered into the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame in Saratoga, New York
.
By the 1861 UK Census Pryor had traveled to England
, where he continued his employment as a horse trainer at Chesterfield House in Woodditton
, Cambridgeshire
, living with his wife Frances, sister in law Cordelia Bingaman, and 7 children.4 Pryor's family was still in England in 1871 and counted on the census at another racing establishment, Roden House in Compton, Berkshire
.
on October 12, 1872.5 By 1880 Pryor was living in Monmouth County, New Jersey
. The 1880 US Census answers a question as to the possible identity of Pryor’s wife. Although UK records reflect that Pryor had children born as early as 1849, neither his wife nor the children were recorded on the 1850 or 1860 US Census. In 1880 Pryor was recorded as "white" and his children's race as "mulatto
" indicating that his wife may have been either a free African-American or a slave.
Pryor's sons also became horse trainers. Luke began his own training career in 1872 under the employment of avid sportsman August Belmont
, namesake of the Belmont Stakes
in the U.S. Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
. Luke Pryor was involved in a racing partnership with his brother, William.3 Allen Davis Pryor worked as a trainer at the Morris Park Racecourse
in The Bronx
. Also, son John Pryor worked as a horse trainer in New Jersey.6
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
trainer
Horse trainer
In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...
. He was the trainer of Lexington
Lexington (horse)
Lexington was a United States Thoroughbred race horse who won six of his seven race starts. Perhaps his greatest fame came however as the most successful sire of the second half of the nineteenth century; he was the Leading sire in North America 16 times, and of his many brood mare and racer...
, a top racehorse of the 1850s and whose excellence in competition and as a sire stud continued well into the 20th century earning the horse induction in to the United States' National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
in 1955.
Birth and parentage
Born in 1812 in Virginia to parents Luke Pryor and Ann Batte Lane. His brother was US Senator Luke PryorLuke Pryor
Luke Pryor was a U.S. senator from the state of Alabama. He was appointed to fill the Senate term left by the death of George S. Houston and served from January 7 to November 23, 1880, when a replacement was elected. Pryor was a Democrat...
from Alabama.1
Family and career
John Benjamin Pryor was counted in Adams County, MississippiAdams County, Mississippi
As of the census of 2000, there were 34,340 people, 13,677 households, and 9,409 families residing in the county. The population density was 75 people per square mile . There were 15,175 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile...
on the 1850 and 1860 US Census.2 He was a slave owner and horse trainer, employed by the prominent Mississippi politician Adam Lewis Bingaman
Adam Lewis Bingaman
Adam Lewis Bingaman born c. 1790 in Mississippi, died September 6, 1869 in New Orleans, Louisiana.1 Bingaman studied law in Massachusetts, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts,...
. He became the trainer of Lexington
Lexington (horse)
Lexington was a United States Thoroughbred race horse who won six of his seven race starts. Perhaps his greatest fame came however as the most successful sire of the second half of the nineteenth century; he was the Leading sire in North America 16 times, and of his many brood mare and racer...
, the most famous race horse of the 1850s, after racing entrepreneur Richard Ten Broeck and his syndicate purchased the horse "in no very long time Lexington was shipped south to Natchez
Natchez
Natchez may refer to:* Natchez people, a Native American nation* Natchez language, the language of that Native American tribe* Natchez, Mississippi, United States* Natchez, Louisiana, United States* Natchez, Indiana, United States...
, where he was placed in charge of Adam Lewis Bingaman, whose stable was trained by the veteran J. B. Pryor, then at the head of his profession."3 Lexington's skeleton is displayed at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC and in the 1950’s he was entered into the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame in Saratoga, New York
Saratoga, New York
Saratoga is a town in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 5,141 at the 2000 census. It is also the commonly used, but not official, name for the neighboring and much more populous city, Saratoga Springs. The major village in the town of Saratoga is Schuylerville which is...
.
By the 1861 UK Census Pryor had traveled to England
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, where he continued his employment as a horse trainer at Chesterfield House in Woodditton
Woodditton
Woodditton is a village and civil parish in East Cambridgeshire, England. The other settlements in the parish are Ditton Green, Little Ditton and Saxon Street. At the time of the 2001 census, the parish's population was 1,789 people....
, Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire is a county in England, bordering Lincolnshire to the north, Norfolk to the northeast, Suffolk to the east, Essex and Hertfordshire to the south, and Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire to the west...
, living with his wife Frances, sister in law Cordelia Bingaman, and 7 children.4 Pryor's family was still in England in 1871 and counted on the census at another racing establishment, Roden House in Compton, Berkshire
Compton, Berkshire
Compton is a village and civil parish in the River Pang valley in the Berkshire Downs about south of Didcot. It has a population of 1,521. The Pang flows through the village as a winter bourne, a stream that only flows after periods of unusually high rainfall.-Parish church:The bell tower of the...
.
Return to United States
Pryor and his family returned to the United States aboard the ship Cimbria, entering New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on October 12, 1872.5 By 1880 Pryor was living in Monmouth County, New Jersey
Monmouth County, New Jersey
Monmouth County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, within the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 630,380, up from 615,301 at the 2000 census. Its county seat is Freehold Borough. The most populous municipality is Middletown Township with...
. The 1880 US Census answers a question as to the possible identity of Pryor’s wife. Although UK records reflect that Pryor had children born as early as 1849, neither his wife nor the children were recorded on the 1850 or 1860 US Census. In 1880 Pryor was recorded as "white" and his children's race as "mulatto
Mulatto
Mulatto denotes a person with one white parent and one black parent, or more broadly, a person of mixed black and white ancestry. Contemporary usage of the term varies greatly, and the broader sense of the term makes its application rather subjective, as not all people of mixed white and black...
" indicating that his wife may have been either a free African-American or a slave.
Pryor's sons also became horse trainers. Luke began his own training career in 1872 under the employment of avid sportsman August Belmont
August Belmont
August Belmont, Sr. was an American politician.-Early life:August Belmont was born in Alzey, Hesse, on December 8, 1813--some sources say 1816--to Simon and Frederika Elsass Schönberg, a Jewish family. After his mother's death, when he was seven, he lived with his uncle and grandmother in Frankfurt...
, namesake of the Belmont Stakes
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...
in the U.S. Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing consists of three races for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. Winning all three of these Thoroughbred horse races is considered the greatest accomplishment of a Thoroughbred racehorse...
. Luke Pryor was involved in a racing partnership with his brother, William.3 Allen Davis Pryor worked as a trainer at the Morris Park Racecourse
Morris Park Racecourse
Morris Park Racecourse was an American thoroughbred horse racing facility from 1889 until 1904. It was located in a part of Westchester County, New York that was annexed into the Bronx in 1895 and later became known as Morris Park...
in The Bronx
The Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
. Also, son John Pryor worked as a horse trainer in New Jersey.6