Henry C. Pratt (merchant)

Henry Charles Pratt was an American merchant and real estate developer. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, one of six children born to Matthew Pratt and Elizabeth Moore.

Career

He was a successful merchant-trader and real estate developer. He began his career as a merchant-trader after the American Revolutionary War. In 1780 he traveled to the West Indies. From there, he imported flour and timber and exported molasses, coffee, wine, and gin.

Marriages and children

He was married in 1778 to Frances Moore. They had four children: Thomas H. Pratt ; Elizabeth Pratt Kugler ; Henry Pratt ; and Frances Henrietta.
He then married Elizabeth Dundas on October 27, 1785. They had six children: Mary Ann ; Anna Marie Dundas ; James Dundas Pratt ; Henry Pratt ; Sarah Clementina McKean ; and Henry. Elizabeth died in her 29th year.
In 1794 he married his third wife, Susannah Care; she was 18 years old and he 33. They had four children: Edmond Pratt ; Henry Pratt ; Charles Moore Pratt ; and Amanda Pratt,. Susannah died in 1816 at 40 years old.
In total he had 14 children, of which only two outlived him.

Lemon Hill Estate

In 1799 Pratt purchased 43 acres of land, originally part of Robert Morris's 300-acre estate "The Hills", at a Sheriff's sale for $14,654. Pratt designed the house himself and served as general contractor. Pratt named the estate Lemon Hill after the many lemon trees he found in Morris's greenhouse. He maintained the house and gardens as his showplace until he sold it in 1836, two years before his death. Lemon Hill then had a succession of individual owners until 1844, when it was purchased by the City of Philadelphia.

Death

He died on February 6, 1838, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.