He was a Scots emigrant who became a successful ship builder in Charleston, South Carolina. He was a partner with David Hamilton in Pritchard Hamilton & Company. Their pre-Revolutionary shipyards were in operation for 78 years on Hobcaw Creek, across from Daniel Island near Charleston. Among Hobcaw vessels built was the 200 ton Magna Carta built in 1770. He had two daughters. His will was dated 10 Nov 1791 and proved on 17 Dec 1791, in Charleston, South Carolina.

Paul Pritchard, an emigrant from Scotland, was a ship builder in Mount Pleasant near Charleston, South Carolina. He was handsome and so wild that his friends put him on board a vessel. Sick with fever, he was left on the coast of Africa. When he regained consciousness he found himself being nursed by an old Negro man, in the wilds of Africa.

Years afterwards he was buying two young slaves in Charleston for his plantation, when he was touched by an old man, in whom he recognized the one who had saved his life, so he bought him and cared for him till his death.

In his will he left all his great possessions to his children, William, Paul, Aphra Ann and Catherine. The two daughters are buried in the Cottage Cemetery.

Catherine, married Christopher Fitzsimmons, and had issue; 1. Owen Pritchard. 2. Anna, married Wade Hampton. 3. Catherine, married James Hammond. Aphra Ann married Oswell Eve on 29 June 1783." ®1856