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    William James Prentice of Ireland and Vernon, CT
    By Linus Joseph Dewald Jr., Editor
    Winter 2002 and Revised 14 Jan 2012
    Update of 10 Oct 2003: William is a brother of Joseph Prentice who is discussed in our Winter 2003 article. William might also have a sister, Agnes who m. John McKenna; see discussion under Margaret Prentice, #2, below.

    A. Adam Prentice was b. c. 1831 in Ireland per Ancestry.com . 1881 census in Witton Le Wear, Durham, England, as an "Laborer in Iron Works." 1891, 1901 in Escomb, Durham. 1911 in Auckland St. Helen, Durham.

    He m. Mary Dugan, b. c. 1832, Ireland. Children per Ancestry.com, above:

    1. William James Prentice 1857. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [1]
    2. Joseph Prentice, b. 1850-1865 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .[2]
    3. Sarah J. Prentice b. c. 1869, Ireland. 1881 in Witton Le Wear, Durham, England.
    4. Ellen M. Prentice, b. c. 1871, Ireland. 1881 in Witton Le Wear, Durham, England.
    5. Mary Prentice, b. c. 1875, Witton Le Wear, Durham, England. 1881 in Witton Le Wear. 1911 in Auckland St. Helen, Durham, England.

    1. William James Prentice was b. c. 1856-7 in Ireland. Perhaps he was b. in Belfast, but in any event he was living in Belfast in 1905 at the time he and his family emigrated to the United States aboard the "Majestic", departing from Liverpool, England. 1881 census in Witton Le Wear, Durham, England, as a "Shingler in Iron Works."

    William and his family arrived on 13 Apr 1905. Ellis Island records show that his expressed purpose was to visit his son, William {#3, below), in Talcottville, CT. The 1920 census indicates that William was naturalized in 1913.

    William m. Mary Jane Walker, b. c. 1858-9 in Belfast, Ireland. They appear in the 1920 Vernon, Tolland Co., CT census, Children (per emigration and census records):

    1. Margaret/Maggie Prentice, b. c. 1881. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .[3]
    2. William Henry Prentice, b. c. 1881. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .[4]
    3. Lillian "Lillie" Prentice, b. c. 1885, Ireland. Emigrated with parents. 1910 and 1920 at home in Vernon, Tolland Co., CT.
    4. Isabella Prentice, b. c. 1887, Ireland. Emigrated with parents. She m. Raymond Ashland Jewell. He was b. 26 May 1887, CT, and d. 14 Apr 1954, Bolton, Tolland Co., CT. An Ancestor Chart for him can be found at Ancestry.com . Children per Ancestry.com :
      1. (dau.) Jewell
      2. (dau.) Jewell.
      3. Samuel J. Jewell, b. 4 Dec 1910, Manchester, CT, and d. there 17 Jun 1988.
      4. Lillian L. Jewell, b. 1910, CT. 1930 in Manchester, Hartford Co., CT.
      5. Raymond P. Jewel, b. 1913 and d. 1990.
    5. Winifred Prentice, b. c. 1889, Ireland, and d. 19 Jan 1977 in Manchester, Hartford Co., CT. Emigrated with parents. She m. Alfred Elmer Rivenburg . He was b. 4 Dec 1890 in CT, and d. 16 Nov 1959 in Manchester, Hartford Co., CT. An Ancestor Chart for him can be found at Ancestry.com . Children:
      1. (dau.) Rivenburg. She married and had 3 daughters.
      2. William Alfred Rivenburg, b. 1 Apr 1912, CT, and d. 30 Mar 1975, New England Deaconess Hosp., Boston, MA. He m. Edna May Monaghan on 22 May 1937, Talcottville, CT. `She was b. 23 Jun 1913, CT, and d. 13 Aug 2006, Arlington, MA. They had 2 sons.
    6. Samuel Prentice, b. c. 1892, Ireland, Ireland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [5]
    7. John Alfred Prentice, b. c. 1894. Ireland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [6]
    8. Jessie Prentice, female, b. c. 1897, Ireland. She m. Mr. Truman, who does not appear in the household, but present was her daughter:
      1. Beatrice Truman, b. c. 1918, CT.
    9. Joseph A. Prentice, b. c. 1901, Ireland, and d. 7 Aug 1980, Manchester, Hartford Co., CT. Emigrated with parents. He is probably the Joseph Prentice who appears in the SSDI as b. 9 Jun 1900 and d. Aug 1980 in Manchester, Hartford Co., CT.

    2. Joseph Prentice, b. c. 1850-1865 in Ireland, perhaps County Down.

    He m. Ellan Hanna. He was probably living in County Down when his daughter, Mary Ellen, married there in 1915. Children:

    1. Mary Ellen Prentice was b. 1887. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [7]
    2. (son) Prentice. Said to have emigrated to America where he later drowned.

    3. Margaret/Maggie Prentice, b. 30 Sep 1882, County Down, Ireland, and d. 14 Oct 1939, Sprucefield, Alberts, Canada. In 1902 at the age of 21 she emigrated from her residence in Belfast aboard the ship "Teutonic" which departed Liverpool and arrived in the US on 15 May 1902. Ellis Island records show she was then single, and that she intended to join her Aunt, Mrs. John McKenna of Talcottville, CT who has paid for her passage. In 1903 she was still single and lived in Talcottville, CT.

    The family Margaret was visiting was that of John McKenna who emigrated from Belfast, sailing from Liverpool and arriving in NY on 23 May 1901. Ellis Island Records list the family members as:

    1. John McKenna, b. c. 1861.
    2. Agnes McKenna, wife, b. c. 1863
    3. Agnes Jane McKenna, daughter, b. c. 1883.
    4. Alexander McKenna, daughter, b. c. 1886.
    Their destination was to join John's son, J. W. McKenna of Talcottville, CT. It is unclear whether Agnes McKenna, the aunt visited by Margaret Prentice, has a Prentice maiden name. If so, that would make Agnes a sister to Margaret's father, William James Prentice. On the other hand, Agnes may be related to William's wife, Mary Jane.

    Margaret m. Thomas Lawrence Jewell in 1901 or 1902 in Talcottville, CT. He was b. 21 Jun 1883, New York, and d. Oct 1945 in Sprucefield, Alberta, Canada. His Ancestor Chart is at Ancestry.com . Children:

    1. (dau.) Jewell
    2. (son) Jewell
    3. Harold P. Jewell , b. 5 Oct 1904, CT. 1910 in Stamford, Fairfield Co., CT. 1916 in Sprucefield, Alberta.
    4. Mary Jane (May) Jewell, b. 8 Jul 1906, CT. 1910 in Stamford, Fairfield Co., CT. 1916 in Sprucefield, Alberta.
    5. Thomas Lawrence Jewell, b. 14 May 1908, CT. 1910 in Stamford, Fairfield Co., CT. 1916 in Sprucefield, Alberta.
    6. Louis Edgar Jewell, b. 4 May 1911, Sprucefield, Alberta, and d. 28 Sep 1996, Athabasca, Alberta.
    7. Margaret Gertrude Jewell, b. 1 Apr 1914 Sprucefield, Albnera, and d. 2002.
    8. Kenneth Raymond Jewell, b. 22 Sep 1920, Sprucefield, Alberta, and d. 19 Oct 2004, Edmonton, Alberta.
    9. Clifford Elwin Jewell, b. 6 Jun 1922, Sprucefield, Alberta, and d. 1943, Italy, perhaps in WW II.
    10. Joseph Alexander Jewell, b. 12 Oct 1924, Tacottville, CT, and d. 16 Sep 1997, Atabasca, Alberta, Canada. He m. Julia Monson. She was b. 26 Apr 1928 , Calling River, Alberta, and d. 28 Feb 2008, Athabasca, Alberta. An Ancestor Chart for her can be found at Ancestry.com . They had 3 sons and 3 daughters.

    4. William Henry Prentice, b. c. 1881 , Ireland. He emigrated from his residence in Belfast , Ireland, in 1903 at the age of 22, arriving in the Port of NY on 5 Mar 1903. Ellis Island records show he was then single, that he was going to visit his sister, Miss Maggie Prentice of Talcottville, CT, who paid for his passage. In 1905 William lived in Talcottville at the time his parents emigrated to the United States.

    William Henry Prentice appears in the 1910 census in Vernon, Tolland Co., CT, as b. c. 1881, Ireland (the 1930 census says Northern Ireland), with his wife, Sarah, b. c. 1883, CT. It says he immmigrated in 1894 at the age of 13. He was then a Grocery Store Clerk. No children are shown.

    He appears in the 1920 Manchester, Hartford Co., CT census as b. c. 1881, Ireland, and immigrated in 1890. His occupation was "Travelling (salesman?)". Also shown are his wife and children.

    He appears in the 1930 Manchester census as b. c. 1881 in Northern Ireland, as were his parents. It says he immigrated in 1903, perhaps a confusion with his Naturalization year. His occupation was "Commercial Travel, Biscuit Specialty Co."

    He m. Sarah Wood, b. c. 1883 in CT. Childen per 1920 census and Ancestry.com :

    1. William Henry Prentice Jr., b. c. 1911, CT. He may be the William H. Prentice shown in the 1930 Cleveland, Cuyahoga, OH census as an unmarried bachelor, age 19, whose father was born in Ireland and his mother in CT. It is unclear whether he is the William, H. Prentice shown in the SSDI as b. 9 Oct 1912, obtained his SS# in PA, and d. 10 Feb 2006 in Olmsted Falls, Cuyahoga Co., OH.

      The SSDI also shows Eleanor H. Prentice, perhaps his wife, who was b. 8 Aug 1917, obtained her SS# in MA, and d. 21 Feb 2003 in Olmsted Falls, Cuyahoga Co., OH.

    2. Mildred Prentice, b. c. 1915, CT. At home in 1920 and 1930. She m. Leonard Johnson and had 2 daughters.

    3. Russell E. Prentice, b. 23 Sep 1920, CT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [8]

    4. Stuart G. Prentice, b. c. 1923, CT. At home in Manchester, CT in 1930. It is unclear whether he is the Stuart Prentice shown in the SSDI as b. 21 Jul 1922, obtained his SS# in CT,and d. Jan 1974 at an unspecified location.

    5. Samuel Prentice, b. c. 1892, Ireland, Ireland per the 1930 census. He emigrated with parents. (per 1930 census). His occupation was given in the 1930 census for Manchester, Hartford, CT as a Water Company Clerk. (Ref: The following material was published in the Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA, on 31 Dec 2003:)

    He m. Ida E. Roberts, b. c. 1894, NJ. Children:

    1. Eleanor R,. Prentice, b. c. 1915, CT. She m. Mr. Palmer. It is unclear whether she is the Eleanor Palmer shown in the SSD as b. 27 Jul 1915k obtained her SS# in CT, and d. 10 Mar 2002, Hamden, New Haven Co., CT
    2. Samuel J. Prentice Jr., b. c. 1921-22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [5.1]
    3. Blair A. Prentice, b. aft. 1930. Not in 2009 SSDI.

    5.1 Samuel J. Prentice Jr. was b. c. 1921 and d. 28 Dec 2003 in Penn Hills, PA. He was a former employee of Gulf Oil, Marsh & McClennan and the Hartford. He also was a captain in the Army Air Corps and a World War II veteran. Memorial service at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the St. James Episcopal Church, Penn Hills. Arrangements by TRENZ FUNERAL HOME INC., Penn Hills. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society or Sheldon Calvary Camp. (Source: Obituary, Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA, on 31 Dec 2003):

    Samuel m. Lucinda Gray). Children:

    1. Samuel J. Prentice III. Died before 2003.
    2. David G. Prentice who d. before 2003.

    Samuel is called the father-in-law of Kathryn T. Prentice and Kathleen Marks (William). He is also called the grandfather of Katrina M. and Samuel J. Prentice IV and uncle of Geoffrey and Kevin Gray

    6. John Alfred Prentice, b. c. 1894. Ireland. Emigrated from Belfast, Ireland in 1905 with parents, William and Mary Jane Prentice. He is almost certainly the John A. Prentice who m. Ada L. Candlish mentioned in the Berkshire Eagle of Sunday, 19 Mar 2000 telling about their son, Harry. Children:

    1. Harry W. Prentice. b. 14 Jun 1920 at Norwich, CT and d. 18 Mar 2000 at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. He was educated in Talcottville, CT and was an Army World War II veteran. He was employed as a machinist at Carlyle & Johnson Machine Co. in CT for many years. A member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1332 in Bennington, he enjoyed boating, fishing, and working on cars. At the time of his death he was a resident of the Vermont Veterans Home, Bennington, VT. Burial was in the family lot in East Cemetery, Manchester, CT.

      He m. Marion Derby on 18 Mar 1941 in Manchester, CT. She was b. 16 Mar 1925 in Hartford, CT, and d. 19 Aug 2009 at the Vermont Veterans Home, Bennington, VT. She was the dau. of John M. Derby and Mary Hattie Derby of Hartford, CT. Her obituary in the Bennington, VT, Bennington Banner of 21 Aug 2009 reads as follows:

        Marion D. Prentice

        Marion D. Prentice 1925 - 2009 BENNINGTON Marion D. Prentice, 84, passed away on Aug. 19, at the Vermont Veterans home after a long illness. She was born on March 16, 1925 in Hartford, Conn., to John M. Derby and Mary Hattie Derby of Hartford, Conn.

        She received her education in Manchester, Conn. Marion was employed at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company with over 25 years of service, retiring in 1990. Her main interest was her family and her yard. Marion loved knitting and crocheting. She made many of her own clothes as well as gifts for others.

        She was pre-deceased by her husband of 59 years, Harry, who died in March of 2000, a son William who died in October of 1953 and a brother Randall E. Derby who died in 1948. Marion leaves two sons, Ronald H. Prentice and his wife, Barbara, of Eugene, Ore., and Robert G. Prentice and his wife, Dolores J. Kimball, of Shaftsbury, Vt.; granddaughter, Sara P. and her husband, Aaron Manela, of Eugene, Ore., and a great-grandson, Gabriel Herman Avraham Manela, step-grandson Brian Eric Kimball of East Greenbush, N.Y., brother, John M. Derby Jr. of Cedarville, Mich.; two sisters, Elizabeth and her husband, Donald Peterson, of South Paris, Maine, and Natalie and her husband, Neil Sedlak, of Staffordville, Conn, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

        FUNERAL NOTICE: The funeral will be held from the All Faiths Chapel at the Vermont Veterans Home 325 North St. in Bennington on Monday, Aug. 24, 2009, at 2 p.m. with Chaplain Kenneth Coonradt officiating. The internment will take place at East Cemetery, East Center St., Manchester, CT on Tuesday Aug. 25, 2009 at 10 a.m. If friends desire contributions in memory of Marion D. Prentice may be made to either the or the Vermont Veterans Home Activities fund through the office of the MAHAR AND SON FUNERAL HOME 628 Main St. Bennington, VT 05201. Published in Bennington Banner on August 21, 2009

      Children of Harry and Marion per her obituary:

      1. William Prentice. He d. Oct 1953.
      2. Ronald H. Prentice. He m. Barbara. In 2009 they lived in Eugene, OR.
      3. Robert G. Prentice, b. 19 Jul 1948. In 1988, at the time of his marriage, Robert's address was PO Box 348, Pownal, Bennington Co., VT. . He m. Dolores J. Kimball on 21 May 1988 in Pownal, Bennington Co., VT. She was b. 25 May 1954, VT, and whose address in 1988 was PO Box 349, Pownal, VT. She was the dau. of Daniel Kimball Jr., b. MA, and Dolores Phillips, b. MI. Ref: Vermont Marriage Records .. In 2009 they lived in Shaftsbury, VT.

    2. Jack C. Prentice.
    3. Marjorie Prentice. She m. Mr. Scott.
    4. Edith Prentice. She m. Mr. Chobot.

    7. Mary Ellen Prentice was b. 1887, County Down. and d. 1957 per Ancestry.com .

    She m. John Hull, on 12 Jul 1915 in Moira Presbyterian Church, Moira, County Down. John was b. 1885 and d. 1967. Son:

    1. Charles Hull, b. 1921 and d. 2003. . . . . . . , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , [9]
    2. Lelia Hull. She m. Mr. Dunn and lives in Lurgan, Ireland.
    3. Thomas/Tommy Hull. Died "a few years ago" in South Africa.
    4. Joseph/Joe Hull. Lives in north England.
    5. (perhaps child) Hull, died yuoung.
    6. (perhaps child) Hull, died young.

    8. Russell E. Prentice, b. 23 Sep 1920, obtained his SS# in CT, and d. Nov 1986 in FL per the SSDI. At home in Manchester, CT, 1930.

    He m. Joyce McMeekin. She was b. 4 Nov 1923, Dumbarton, Scotland, and d. 26 Feb 2010, Manchester mem. Hospital. Her obituary in the Hartford Courant of 1 Mar 2010 reads as follows:

      Joyce (McMeekin) PRENTICE

      PRENTICE, Joyce (McMeekin) Joyce (McMeekin) Prentice, 86, of Manchester, formerly of Marco Island, FL, wife of the late Russell Prentice, passed away Friday, (February 26, 2010) at Manchester Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. She was born November 4, 1923 in Dumbarton, Scotland, daughter of the late Thomas G. and Edith (Frost) McMeekin.

      Joyce has resided in Manchester for over 40 years as well as Marco Island, FL for over 28 years. Prior to retiring in 1980 she was employed as a Secretary with United Technologies Research Division for over 30 years.

      Joyce is survived by her brother, John "Jack" McMeekin and his longtime companion, Barbara Fazzino of Andover, her niece, Andrea Ozment of New Haven and her daughters, Amanda Ozment of Bristol and Emma Ozment of Sacramento, CA. Besides her husband and parents she was predeceased by her sister-in-law, Theresa McMeekin.

      Memorial calling hours will be Thursday, March 4, 2010 from 4-7 pm at Holmes Funeral Home 400 Main St. Manchester with a prayer service at 6:30 pm. Burial will be private in East Cemetery, Manchester. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the 538 Preston Ave. PO Box 1004, Meriden, CT 06450.

    Daughters of Russell and Joyce, per her obituary, above:

    1. Amanda Prentice. She m. Mr. Ozment of Bristol, (CT?).
    2. Emma Prentice. She m. Mr. Ozment of Sacramento, CA.

    9. Charles Hull, b. 1921 and d. 2003. He was in the RAF and in May, 1942 visited relatives in Talcottville, CT and Manchester, CT, USA. A newspaper cutting, which was in the possession of Charles' sister, says that:

      "Mr. Hull's mother (Charles mother, Mary Ellen Prentice, #2 is a neice of Mrs. Mary Jane Prentice of Talcottville but this is the first time that any member of the two families have met since the Prentice family left Ireland about 38 years ago."

    Looking at the relationship another way, Mary Jane Prentice of Talcottville is an aunt of Mary Ellen Prentice, b. 1887 in Ireland. Mary Jane is also said to have emigrated from Lurgan, Ireland (now Northern Ireland) to Talcottville with her family in 1904.

    Charles had 1 or more children, including:

    1. Kenneth Hull.

    Who are William James Prentice's Parents?

    The 1881 British Census shows a William J. who might, or might not, be this person. That possibility is the 22 year old shown in the 1881 census of Witton Le Wear, Durham, England, in the household of Adam Prentice, b. c. 1831 in Ireland, and his wife, Mary who was b. c. 1832 in Ireland.

    Adam's occupation was given as "Labourer In Iron Works" Children shown in the household were:

    1. William J. Prentice, b. c. 1858-9 in Ireland. He was a "Shingler In Iron Works."
    2. Sarah J. Prentice, b. c. 1869 in Ireland.
    3. Ellen M. Prentice, b. c. 1881 in Witton Le Wear, Durham, England.

    If William lived in England in 1881 and was then single, that would be consistent with his later marriage, birth of children, and emigration in 1905 from Liverpool.

    On the other hand, the 1881 residence in Witton Le Wear, Durham, England, of William and his family makes it seem a bit unlikely that William would have moved to Belfast, Ireland, from which he emigrated to the United States in 1905.

    Correspondence: If you have any information about the folks mentioned in this article, ancestors or descendants, please send your information to us at the Prentice Newsletter. Be sure to give the full title and date of the this article in the Subject line of the email.

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