The earliest of my Pratt ancestors whom I have been able to identify with any certainty is my great-great-great-great grandfather, Thomas Boulton Pratt. The earliest record I have of him is his baptism on 22 August 1736, in Dilton, Wiltshire. In the baptismal entry, his father's name is given as Charles and his mother's as Joane.

That this is our Thomas Boulton Pratt is supported by the next known record I have located for him. This is an Indenture, signed on 11 January 1753, which "witnesseth, That Thomas Boulton Pratt, son of Charles Pratt, of Greenwich in the County of Kent, doth put himself Apprentice to John Payne, Citizen and Goldsmith, of London [for a] Term of Seven Years."

After completing his apprenticeship, Thomas Boulton Pratt, set up his own Goldsmith business in Cheapside, London. He married Elizabeth Copland, the daughter of another goldsmith, on 27 May 1769 at St John Zachary with St Anne and St Agnes in Aldersgate, London, England. Prior to his marriage he resided in Monkwell street but after his marriage he moved to Gutter lane.

Thomas Boulton Pratt died on 2 December 1796 and was buried on 10 December 1796 at St Giles, Camberwell. London. A few months prior to his death, he had quit his goldsmith business leaving it to his son, John Pratt.

An earlier hypothesis that the Thomas Pratt, who was baptised on 17 March 1744, at St Clement Danes, Westminster, London, the son of Thomas Pratt and Ann Fellows, may be Thomas Boulton Pratt was incorrect. Also incorrect was the hypothesis that Thomas Boulton Pratt was a saddler and harness maker. The firm of Pratt and Keasley, Harness Makers and Coach Harness Makers listed as being at 36 Little Queen Street in various directories does not relate to Thomas Boulton Pratt nor does it appear to relate to any of his family.

Thomas Boulton Pratt's youngest son Samuel (my great-great-great grandfather) left London for Wiltshire, some time before his marriage to Matilda Pickett on 6 June 1820 at Wilsford, near Pewsey, Wiltshire. Samuel Pratt commenced his Saddlery and Harness making business in Avebury, and for four generations the Pratt family would continue as saddlers and harness makers in Avebury.

The following map shows the places where my Pratt family ancestors lived and worked in London, where they were baptised, married and buried.