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    Philip Prentice of Barlae, Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland
    By Linus Joseph Dewald Jr., Editor
    Spring 2006 and Revised 30 Sep 2010

    Introduction: Martin Mabey has provided us with much of the material set out below. To his information we have added information gathered from census records and other sources. For early origins, he relates that:

      We rely on Old Parish Registers (OPR) for information on births (or baptisms) in Scotland before the introduction of centralised registration in 1855. Deaths were not registered, although some burials were. People were surprisingly mobile in the 18th and 19th Centuries. Place names and personal names showed considerable variation.

      We are helped by the tendency of Lowland Scots to use family Christian names over and over again, although many were pretty common anyway, and by their use of ancestors’ surnames as middle names. They also recorded a married woman’s maiden surname (MS) as well as her married name in many documents. Census information begins to be available from 1841 (sketchy and unreliable) and 1851 (marginally better).

    Caution: Martin Mabey provides the following caveat: "Please note that [Martin's] information is incomplete as yet and cannot be guaranteed to be accurate in all respects."

    Accordingly, and for now, Martin's information should be viewed only as investigative leads which should be followed up by an independent investigation.


    1. John Prentice may have been b. c. 1770-79 and perhaps in, or near, St Quivox, Ayrshire, Scotland where me married Sarah Wilson in 1799. No birth of a John Prentice is recorded in Ayrshire OPR between 1750 and 1785, but he could have been from nearby Lanarkshire. We have to bear in mind that many births went unrecorded. John Prentice was a horse trainer, according to the death certificate of his son Robert (1885). John's date of death might have been before registration of deaths began in Scotland in 1855.

    He m. Sarah Wilson at St Quivox, Ayrshire, on 12 Jan 1799, and it is likely that one or both was from somewhere nearby. St Quivox is just east of Prestwick, Ayrshire. Sarah Wilson may have been the one born in Beith, North Ayrshire to John Wilson and Margaret Peebles on 23 February 1774, with a twin brother, Hugh.

    Children tentatively identified as those of John and Sarah (per Glasgow Christenings):

    1. William Prentice, b. 31 Jan 1800, St Quivox, Ayrshire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [2]
    2. Margaret Prentice, b.7 Oct 1801, St. Quivox. She m. John Moor on 13 Sep 1823 in Hutton, Berwickshire, Scotland (per IGI) They had 1 or more children, including per Ancestry.com :
      1. George Moore, b. 24 Mar 1823, Scotland, and d. 1899 in Berwick Upon Tweed, Northumberland, England. He m. Elizabeth Fender on 11 Dec 1844, Lamberton Toll, Scotland. She was b. 12 May 1821, Berwick Upon Tweed, Northyumberland, and d. ther 1890. Children per Ancestry.com :
        1. Isabella Moor 1846 – 1865
        2. John Moor 1847 –
        3. Margaret Moor 1850 –
        4. George Moor 1852 – 1888
        5. Jennet/Janet Moor 1856 –
        6. Thomas Moor 1856 –
        7. Alice Moor 1859 – 1882
      2. John Moor 1828 –
      3. Thomas Moor 1831 –
      4. Alice Moor 1835 –
      5. William Moor 1837 –
      6. Sarah Wilson Moor 1840 – 1887
    3. John Prentice, b. 29 Mar 1804, St. Quivox. He m. Alison Friskin on Polwarth, Duns, Berwickshire, on 18 Jun 1840 in Hutton (per IGI). She appears as Alison Prentice in the 1851 Hutton census as a "Pauper Wid", b. c. 1782, Hutton, Berwickshire. In the 1861 census in Glasgow Govan she is living with the family of her brother, George Friskin, Boot and Shoe Maker, b. c. 1794, Hutton.
    4. James Prentice, chr. 27 Jul 1807, Hutton, Berwick, Scotland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [3]
    5. Janet Prentice, chr. 4 Aug 1809, Hutton.
    6. Robert Prentice, b. c. 1812. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [4]

    2. William Prentice was b. c. 1800 in Ayr, Ayrshire, and probably died before the 1881 census in South Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland. He appears with his wife and family in the 1841 census in Duns, Berwickshire. He appears in the 1851 census (indexed as "Prenters") in Duns, Berwickshire, as a Horse Trainer with his wife and family. Not in 1861 census.

    He m. Mary Landells (or Landals) of Hutton, Berwickshire at Hutton at the Manse on 18 February 1821 for a fee of £0.1.2 (one and tuppence) per Martin Mabey, email, 5 Feb 2008. She was b. 25 Oct 1798 and baptised on 12 November 1798, daughter of Alexander Landells servant in Alemile and Janet Blair his spouse. Witnesses were John Hamilton, Wharfmaster, of Coldingham and John Blair, Taylor, thereof. Tthe 1851 census indexes her birth place as Eyemouth, Berwickshire. She appears as the Head of the household in the 1881 census in South Leith. Children recorded and shown in census per Martin Mabey, email, 5 Mar 2008:

    1. William Prentice, b. 22 April 1827. Duns, Berwickshire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [2.1]
    2. Janet Prentice, b. 12 April 1829, Duns. Chr. 12 Apr 1829, Duns, Berwickshire. At home in 1841 census. Not home in 1851 and may be the Janet Prentice who is a Servant in Duns in 1851.
    3. Sarah Prentice, chr. 29 Jan 1832, Duns, Berwick, Scotland, Berwickshire. At home in 1841 census. A Servant in Coldinham, Berwickshire, in the 185`1 census. A Servant in the 1861 census in Edinburgh St. Cuthberts, Midlothian.
    4. Mary Prentice, chr. 18 Jun 1834, Duns, Berwickshire. At home in 1841 census. A Servant in the 1851 Duns census. A Boarder in the 1861 census in Edinburgh, Greenside, Midlothian.
    5. Margaret Prentice, b. 13 Nov 1836, Duns. She may be the Margaret Prentice , chr. 13 Nov 1836, Duns, Berwickshire. At home in 1841 census. At home in 1851.She may be the Margaret Prentice who m. George Jones on 17 Aug 1857, Duns (per IGI).
    6. Isabel Prentice, b. 20 Jan 1839, Berwickshire. She may be the Isabella Prentice who was chr. 20 Jan 1839, Duns (per IGI).At home in 1841 census. At home in 1851. A Servant in the 1861 census in Edinburgh St. Brernard, Midlothian. Living with her mother, Mary, in the 1881 census in Leith South, Midlothian. Isabel (called Isabella) appears in the 1891 census with her daughter, Eliza, aka Lizzie Watson Prentice (see below). She appears with her dau. in the 1901 census in Edinburgh St. Paul.
    7. Agnes Prentice, chr. 29 Aug 1841, Duns, Berwickshire, Scotland. At home in 1851.
    8. John Prentice, b. c. 1844, Duns, Berwickshire per 1851, and 1861 census. He appears in the 1871 census in Leith, Midlothian, living with his mother and her grandchildren:
      1. James Prentice, b. c. 1856, Dunse (probably the son of John's brother, Robert, below).
      2. Robert Prentice, b. c. 1856, Dunse.
    9. Jane Prentice, b. c. 1847, Duns, Berwickshire per 1851 census. At home in 1851.

    Living with Mary in the 1881 census in Leith South, Midlothian, is a granddaughter, Eliza Watson, b. c. 1870, Aberdeen. ln the 1891 census in Edinburgh South Leith, she is called Isabel's daughter and identified as Lizzie Watson Prentice. In the 1901 census in Edinburgh St. Paul she is indexed as Lizzie Jacob but that might be an indexing error.

    2.1 William Prentice, b. 22 April 1827. Duns, Berwickshire. At home in 1841 census. He appears as an unmarried Servant and Baker Journeyman, in the 1851 census in Ayton, Berwickshire where his wife and her children were born. He does not appear in the 1861 census. One might reasonable infer that he was Isabella's husband who was missing in the 1861 census

    He m. Isabella c. 1849-1852. She was b. c. 1829, Ayton, Berwickshire. She appears in the 1861 census in Ayton, Berwickshire, as a "Bakers Widow Pauper" with her children:

    1. William Prentice, b. c. 1852, Ayton, Berwickshire. At home in Ayton in 1861. He appear in the 1871 census as a "nephew" in the home of his mother and Samuel Forbes. He appears in the 1881 and 1891 census in Ayton, Berwickshire, with his wife, Agnes, b. c. 1851, Sprouston, Roxburghshire. 1901 census in Kelso, Rosburghshire as a Tailor. Children:
      1. Mary Ann Prentice, b. c. 1874, Kelso, Roxburghshire. At home in Kelso in 1881 and 1891 census. Not home in 1901 census.
      2. Isabella Prentice, b. c. 1877, Kelso, Roxburghshire. At home in Kelso in 1881 and 1891 census. Not home in 1901 census.
      3. William Prentice, b. c. 1879, Kelso, Roxburghshire. At home in Kelso in 1881 census. Not in 1891 census.
      4. James Prentice, b. c. 1881, Kelso, Roxburghshire. At home in Kelso in 1881 census. Not in 1891 census. At home in 1901 Kelso census.
      5. John Prentice, b. c. 1886, Kelso, Roxburghshire. At home in Kelso in 1891 and 1901 census.
      6. Agnes Prentice, b. c. 1888, Kelso, At home in Kelso in 1891 and 1901 census.

    2. James Prentice, b. c. 1857, Ayton, Berwickshire. At home in Ayton in 1861. . . . . . . . . . . . . [2.2]

    3. John Prentice, b. c. 1860, Ayton, Berwickshire. At home in Ayton in 1861. He appear in the 1871 census as a "nephew" in the home of his mother and Samuel Forbes. In the 1881 census in Glasgow St. John he is a 21 year old Tailor and a single Boarder. John appears in the 1891 census in Ayton as a Tailor and Clothier with his wife, Mary Ann, b. c. 1862, Anglezark, England. They appear in the 1901 Ayton census where he is indexed with an 1871 birth year, Tailors Cutter. Children:
      1. Elizabeth "Lizzie" Prentice, b. c. 1886, Ayton. At home in Ayton in 1891 and 1901 census.
      2. David T. Prentice, b. c. 1889, Ayton. At home in Ayton in 1891 census. Not in 1901 census.

    Isabella apparently m. 2nd Samuel Forbes (b. c. 1817, Irvine, Ayrshire) as she aoppears in the 1871 census in Ayton as Isabella Forbes with William, James and John, above, called "nephews" although one would expect them to be identified as stepsons of Samuel Forbes.

    2.2. James Prentice, b. c. 1857, Ayton, Berwickshire. At home in Ayton in 1861. He appear in the 1871 census as a "nephew" in the home of his mother and Samuel Forbes. We tentatively identify him as being the same person as James Prentice shown in the 1901 census in Coldingham, Berwickshire as b. c. 1857 in Chirnside, Berwickshire. Chirnside lies about 4 miles SW of Ayton where James Prentice, above, was b. in 1857. Coldingham lies about 3 miles north of Ayton.

    He m. Helen Brown. She was b. c. 1866 in Surnton, Berwickshire. James and Helen emigrated to Canada in 1912. Children:

    1. James Prentice, b. 7 Mar 1890 in Coldingham. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [2.3]
    2. John Prentice, b. c. 1890, Coldingham. At home in Coldingham in 1901. He might be the same person as James, above.
    3. Elizabeth Prentice, b. c. 1900, Coldingham. At home in Coldingham in 1901.
    4. Isabella "Bella" Prentice. b/ c/ 1892, Coldingham. At home in Coldingham in 1901.
    5. Margaret Prentice, b. 31 May 1893, Coldingham, Berwickshire, Scotland and d,. c. 1990. Emigrated to Canada in 1912. She m. Arnold Cecil Kirkup on 5 Apr 1920, St. Luke's Church, Fort William, Ontario, Canada. He was b. 4 Feb 1890 in Melita, Manitoba. Daughtr:
      1. Frances Louise Kirkup, b. 4 Feb 1921 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and d. c. 1992, Toronto. She m. John Kingsley Howes on 7 Jun 1947, Toronto. He was b. 21 Sep 1921, Montserrat, West Indies. Their 4 children are shown in Ancestry.com .
    6. Frances Prentice, dau., b. c. 1897, Coldingham. At home in Coldingham in 1901.
    7. Gilbert Prentice. Emigrated to Canada in 1912.

    In 1912, James Sr., James Jr., Gilbert and Margaret immigrated to Canada, settling in Screiber, Ontario; the rest of the family remained in Scotland.

    2.3 James Prentice, the oldest, was born 7 Mar 1890 in Coldingham. Like his father, James was a baker. Emigrated to Canada with his parents in 1912. In WW I he served in the Canadian Army. Afterwards, he returned to Schreiber and married Inez M. Woods, b. c. 1900, Michigan, dau. of Francis Woods, widow (both of Inez' parents b. in MI). In 1925, James and his family moved to Flint, MI.

    James (called "John Prentice") appears in the 1930 census in Flint, Genesee Co., MI with his wife and family. There appears a discrepency in James' birth year (1890 vs. 1900). Children:

    1. Helen Marjorie Prentice. . . . . . . . . . . . . [2.4]
    2. James Prentice, above, who is tracing his roots. He married Dolores Ervin. Children:
      1. Susan Marie Prentice.
      2. Cheryl Ann Prentice

    2.4. Helen Marjorie Prentice. Although further confirmation is needed, she may be the Marjorie Prentice, b. 17 Nov 1924, referred to in Laurie J. (Berryman) White's email of 8 Nov 2006 where her mother is her mother is identified as "Marjorie Prentice", dau. of "John Prentice, b. 7 Mar 1890."; that birth date, however, fits James Prentice rather than his brother, John Prentice.

    If the foregoing is correct, than Helen Marjorie Prentice m. Mr. Berryman and had 1 or more children, including:

    1. Laura J. Berryman. She m. Mr. White (per Laurie J. (Berryman) White's email of 8 Nov 2006).

    3. James Prentice was chr. 27 Jul 1807 in Hutton, Berwickshire, and d. 19Oct1897, Whitekirk, East Lothian. He first appears in the 1851 census in Whitekirk, East Lothian, where he had been living at least since the birth of his son, Philip in 1845. Whitekirk which lies about 15 miles NE of Edinburgh. He appears in the 1881 census as a Groom Domestic, living in East Lodge, in Whitekirk & Tynninghame, Haddington, Scotland, with his wife and family.

    He m. Jane Henderson, b. c. 1810, Whitekirk, Haddington (per 1851 census and Christine Hadden, email, 4 Feb 2006, citing the Death Certificate of his son, Philip, below) and d. 9 Jul 1894, Tyninghame, East Lothian. She was the dau. of John Henderson and Jane Whitson. Jane also had a sister, Agnes, and a brother, John. For more on them, see James Prentice of Hutton, Berwick, Scotland .

    Known children of James and Jane:

    1. John Prentice, b. c. 1830-1831, Whitekirk, Haddington, Scotland, Farm Servant. At home in Whitekirk, East Lothian, in 1861.At home in 1881. He m. Ann "Annie" Hopkirk of Whitekirk on 20 Feb 1885. No known issue. Annie was born about 1845. John died at Whitekirk, East Lothian on 6 Aug 1910 and Annie survived him. John and Ann appear in the 1891 Whitekirk census living with his parents; no children shown. The later appear in the 1901 Whitekirk census; no children shown.

    2. Thomas Prentice, b. c. 1832, Whitekirk, Haddington, Scotland, and d. at Whitekirk on 17 May 1895. At home in Whitekirk, East Lothian, in 1861. He m. Jane Inglis on 23 June 1865 at Prestonkirk, East Lothian. She was b. c. 1835, probably Whitekirk, d. there 9 Jan 1907. Se was the dau. of Daniel Inglis and Isabella Buchan. 1871 census in Whitekirk. 1891 census in Whitekirk. Two recorded children of Thomas and Jane:

      1. James Prentice, b. Whitekirk c. 1867. He m. Catherine Frisken Turner of Athelstaneford, East Lothian, at St Giles, Edinburgh on 7 June 1907. No known issue. James died at Morningside, Edinburgh on 15 Sep 1934 and Catherine died at Newington, Edinburgh on 13 Oct 1953. Not in 1891 census. Not in 1901 census.
      2. Daniel Prentice, b. Whitekirk c. 1870. He m. Mary Thomson at Murrayfield, Edinburgh on 15 Aug 1902. She was b. c. 1881 and was the dau. of James Thomson and Rose Brown. She had a sister, Margaret. Daniel died at Morningside, Edinburgh on 12 Nov 1954 and Mary died at Canongate and Portobello, Edinburgh in 1968. One recorded child.
        1. . Thomas James Prentice, b.21 Aug 1903, St. George, Edinburgh. He visited his cousins in New Jersey and may have stayed there. He travelled from Glasgow to New York on the “California” in May 1930. He was a draughtsman, and his former address was 43 Balcarra Avenue, Edinburgh. Where and when he died is unknown. Not in 1930 US census. Not in SSDI. No known issue.

    3. William Prentice, b. c. 1837, Whitekirk. No known issue. Not in 1841 and later census. He is likely the William Prentice who appears in the 1851 census as b. c. 1837 in Whitekirk, Haddington, as b. c. 1837, son of James Prentice (b. c. 1808, Hutton, Berwickshire) and his wife, Jane, b. c. 1810, Whitekirk, Haddington.

      William later appears in the 1861 census in Dalkeith, Midlothian, as a "Gardner Oversees." He was unmarried. He next appears as a widower in the 1871 census in Colwich, Staffordshire, without a wife, but with his daughter, Jessie. Also living with him in 1871 was his sister, Jane Prentice, b. c. 1848, Scotland. He appears in the 1881 census in Shouldham, Norfolk, England with his wife and family. He was then a "Gardner Domestic." 1891 in Worth, Sussex.

      He m. 1st UnknownThey had 1 or more children, including:

      1. Jessie Prentice, dau., b. c. 1869, Colwich, Staffordshire. 1881 and 1891 at home.

      He m. 2nd Sarah c. 1867-1868. She was b. c. 1836 in Lucton, Herefordshire, England.

      1. James Prentice, b. c. 1875, Fulham, Middlesex. 1881 and 1891 at home.
      2. Eleanor Prentice, b. c. 1877, Great Crosby, Lancashire. 1881 and 1891 at home.
      3. William Prentice, b. c. 1879, Shouldham, Norfolk. 1881 and 1891 at home.

    4. Robert Prentice, b. c. 1840, Whitekirk. He m. Agnes Smith of Caputh, Perthshire at Caputh on 1 Dec 1871. Robert and his family appear in the 1891 census in Whitekirk. Robert apparently died before the 1901 when Agnes is shown without him. Agnes Smith was born in Caputh, Perthshire in about 1846 to Thomas Smith and Emily Proudfoot. She had a younger sister Christina. Agnes is living without her husband in the 1901 census in the home of William and Jane Brown. Robert and Agnes’s children were:
      1. James Prentice, b. Whitekirk 4 October 1872. No known issue.
      2. Robert John Prentice, b. Whitekirk, Haddington, on 5 Apr 1876. At home in Whitekirk in tje 1891 census. He m. Agnes Cairns of North Berwick, East Lothian, at Edinburgh on 20 March 1902. No known issue.
      3. Amelia Christina Smith Prentice, b. Whitekirk on 6 Oct 1878. At home in Whitekirk in the 1891 census. She m. William George McLeod at Morningside, Edinburgh on 2 Aug 1904. William McLeod was b. c. 1875 to Munro McLeod and Christina McLeod. He had a brother Alexander. One recorded child.
        1. Amelia Smith McLeod, b. 25 August 1905. Morningside. Edinburgh. No known issue.

    5. Andrew Prentice, b. c. 1842, Whitekirk, Haddington, Scotland. At home in Whitekirk, East Lothian, in 1861. He m. Mary Jane Jolly of Fettercairn, Kincardineshire at St George, Edinburgh on 27 Dec 1872. We do not have Andrew’s death date. Mary Jane Jolly was b. c. 1852 at Fettercairn, Kincardineshire to David Jolly and Jane Cosans (Jean Cousins). She had a brother and sister. Ten recorded children.
      1. David Jolly Prentice, b. St George, Edinburgh c. 1876, who married Janet. She was b. c. 1878, N. Berwick, Haddington. They appear in the 1901 Edinburgh census; living with them is David's sister, Elizabeth.
      2. Andrew Prentice, b. North Berwick c. 1879. He appears as an unmarried Boarder in the 1901 N. Berwick, census. He m. Catherine Mary Macleod at some date after the 1901 census. No known issue. Andrew died at North Berwick on 17 May 1954.
      3. Mary Jane Prentice, b. c. 1879, Edinburgh, Midlothian. She m. Alexander Wison McKendrick on 3 Jan 1901. He was b. 10 Dec 1881, Stirling, Peeblesshire. An Ancestor Chart for him can be found at Ancestry.com . They had 1 or more children, including:
        1. John McKendrick, b. 6 Mar 1901, Inveresk, Midlothian. He m. Janet Farquharson Smeaton on 13 Jan 11922, Musselburgh, Scotland. She was b. 24 Jan 1899, Bellshill, Lanarkshire, and was the dau. of James Smeaton (b. 1870 and Jean Farquharson (b.1871). They had 1 or more children, including:
          1. (dau.) McKendrick. She m. Douglas Gordon Cowan on 27 Sep 1958, Peeble, Scotland. He was b. 29 Nov 1931, Edinburgh, Midlothian, and d. there 21 Nov 2007. Children:
            1. (son) Cowan. He m. Miss Sutter.
            2. (dau.) Cowan. She m. Mr. Clarke.
      4. Sarah Prentice, b. North Berwick 30 Dec 1880, N. Berwick, Haddington. She who married Henry Graham Ritchie at St Peter, Dundee, Forfarshire on 22 June 1906. No known issue of the marriage. Sarah died at St Andrews and St. Leonards, Fifeshire, on 24 Mar 1915. Henry died there on 16 June 1943.
      5. Elizabeth Prentice, b. North Berwick 1 May 1883. Living with brother David and his wife in the 1901 Edinburgh census.
      6. John Prentice, b. North Berwick 31 Jan 1885. No known issue.
      7. Thomas Prentice, b. North Berwick 12 Dec 1886. Thomas died sometime before 1901 (but see dau.. Elizabeth, below, b. c. 1914). He m. Martha McNab at Troon, Ayrshire on 15 Aug 1913. Martha McNab was b. c. 1884 to John McNab and Elizabeth Clark. She had a sister Marie. Martha died at Galashiels, Peeblesshire on 6 May 1961. One recorded child:
        1. Elizabeth McNab Prentice, b. c. 1914. She m. James Webster. Elizabeth died on 12 May 1971 at Falkirk Royal Infirmary. James predeceased her. They had a son:
          1. Peter Webster.
      8. William Prentice, b. North Berwick 16 Mar 1899. He m. Alice Thorburn Forsyth of Eddleston, Peeblesshire at North Berwick on 12 Jun 1925. No known issue.
      9. Agnes Esther Prentice, b. North Berwick 17 Jul 1891. No known issue.
      10. Charlotte Prentice, b. North Berwick 30 Aug 1895. No known issue.
      11. Lillian Prentice, b. North Berwick 20 May 1901. Lillian died in 2000. No known issue.

    6. Philip Prentice, b. c. 1845, Whitekirk, Haddington, Scotland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [5]

    7. Jane Prentice, chr. 29 Oct 1847, Whitekirk, Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland, Dress Maker. . . . . . [6]

    8. George Prentice, b. c. 1850, Whitekirk, Haddington, Scotland. At home in Whitekirk, East Lothian, in 1861. Died before 1871.

    9. Sarah Prentice, bchr. 21 Mar 1852, Whitekirk, East Lothian, Scotland (per Christine Hadden, email, 4 Feb 2006, citing old parish records. Also Ancestry.com). At home in Whitekirk, East Lothian, in 1861. She m. William Ewing at Tynninghame, Whitekirk on 12 Nov 1878. Sarah died at Tynninghame on 18 May 1879, probably in chidbirth.

    10. Unknown Prentice, perhaps one of the above sons. He m. Unknown and had 1 or more children, including:
      1. Thomas J. Prentice, b. c. 1903. He appears in the 1930 census, Demarest, Bergan Co., NJ, living with his aunt & uncles, Bella, Jean and John, below. Also living with them was Jessie Brown, male, b. c. 1886, Scotland, cousin to Bella Jean and John.

    4. Robert Prentice, b. c. 1812 and d. 11 Feb 1895, Oldhamstocks, East Lothian.. Robert, like his father, was described on his Death Certificate as a Horse Trainer. In the earlier 1851 England census he and his wife, Mary, were in Loanend, Northumberland, where he was a groom. She is shown as being from North Wooler in that county. In the 1861 census Robert was in Foulden, Berwickshire. He was a “rough rider” aged 49 from Hutton, Berwickshire. The 1871 census calls him a "horse breaker."

    We have apparently conflicting information as to the identity of his wife. One source says that he m. Helen Lyle on 12 Sep 1831 in Hutton. She may be the mother of:

    1. Margaret Prentice, b. Dalry, Lanarkshire, c. 1839. No known issue.

    However, Martin Mabey says that he m. Mary Grieve of North Wooler, Northumberland on 12 Nov 1842, at Mordington/Foulden, Berwickshire. The 1861 census indicates Mary was 48, b. c. 1813 in England. She d. 7 Dec 1868, Chirnside, Duns, Berwickshire. She is apparently the mother of:

    1. John Prentice, b. Mordington, Berwickshire on 20 Aug 1843. No known issue. He died at Chirnside, Duns, Berwickshire on 13 April 1877.
    2. Thomas Prentice, b. Mordington 31 Mar 1845. No known issue.

    5. Philip Prentice, b. c. 1845, Whitekirk, Haddington, Scotland, and d. 13 Jul 1916 at Barlae, Nungate, Haddington, East Lothian, at the age of 71 years of "chronic interstitial nephritis" (per Christine Hadden, 4 Feb 2006, citing Death Certificate). Bur. Haddington at St. Mary's Parish Church.

    In the 1881 census he was a Gamekeeper living in Barlae Cottage, Dalry, Kircudbright, Scotland (per 1881 census). In 1911, when his son Andrew emigrated to the United States, he was living in Barlae, Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland.

    He m. Helen Brown on 9 Jun 1871 in Stobo, Peebles, Scotland (per IGI). She was b. 23 Feb 1843, Stobo, Peeble, Scotland (per 1881 census) and d. 30 Sep 1908, Haddington, before her husband's death in 1916. She was the dau. of William Brown and Isabella Helen Thomson. She had seven brothers and sisters. One brother, James Brown, was the father of Jessie Brown who stayed with her cousins Isabella and John Prentice in New Jersey. Philip and Helen’s children were:

    1. (Infant) Prentice, b. and d. 21 Apr 1871, Stobo.
    2. James Prentice, b. 2 Jun 1872, Dalry (St Johnstown of Dalry), Kirkcudbightshire, and d. there 14 May 1874.
    3. Isabella "Bella" Prentice, b. 20 Oct 1874, Dalry, Kirkcudbright, Scotland (per 1881 census and 1930 census, Demarest, Bergan Co., NJ. No spouse or children shown.) Bella and her sister Jane migrated to the United States with their brother ,William, and his family on TSS Cameronia in Nov 1926. Bella is understood to have died at Demarest, Bergen County, New Jersey, date unknown.
    4. William Prentice, b. c. 1876, Dalry, Kirkcudbright, Scotland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [7]
    5. Jane/Jean Prentice, female, b. 4 Mar 1877, Dalry, Kirkcudbright, Scotland (per 1881 census) and chr. 29 Oct 1847, Whitekirk, Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland, Dress Maker (per Christine Hadden, email, 4 Feb 2006, citing old parish records.) She appears in the 1930 census, Demarest, Bergan Co., NJ. No spouse or children shown. She m. James Orchison, 1884, Whitekirk, East Lothian, Scotland. He was b. 1851 and d. 1927 in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland. He was the son of William Orchison (b. c. 1822, Kirriemuir, Angus, Scotland) and Janet McIntosh (b. c. 1816). Children (per Ancestry.com):

      1. Jane Orchison, b. 1884 in Prestonkirk, East Lothian, Scotland
      2. James Orchison, b. 1892 in North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland

    6. John Prentice, b. c. 1879, Dalry, Kirkcudgright, Scotland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [8]
    7. Thomas Walker Prentice, b. c. 1880, Dalry, Kirkcudbright, Scotland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [9]
    8. James Alexander Prentice, b. 20 Jan 1882, probably Dalry, Kirkcudbright, Scotland.
    9. Robert George Prentice, b. 1 Mar 1884, Dalry (St Johnstown of Dalry), Kirkcudbrightshire or Eddlestone, Peeblesshire, Scotland. Robert died at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on 23 November 1951. He m. Annie Thomson Currie. She was b. 1 Sep 1879, Leith, dau. of Heriot Currie and Joan Wood. She had two brothers and a sister. Robert and Annie lived in Corstorphine, Edinburgh. Annie died some time before 1953. Three recorded children.
      1. George Brown Prentice, b. Edinburgh 28 August 1910. He m. Janet Ewart Richardson of Morningside, Edinburgh. George died at Morningside, Edinburgh in 1975 and Janet (Nettie) died in Feb 2002 at the Queen’s Hospital, Burton-Upon-Trent, Staffordshire, having lived for some time with her daughter Margaret at Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire. They had a daughter:
        1. Margaret Anne Prentice, b. 1943.
      2. Heriot Currie Prentice, b. Edinburgh 29 Aug 1912. No known issue. Heriot was a member of the Boys’ Brigade in Corstorphine, and at the outbreak of the Second World War was Leader of the 13th Edinburgh (Corstorphine) Life Boy Team. Heriot lost his life in the invasion of Italy on 16 July 1944 and is buried at Arrezzo Military Cemetery. The Edinburgh Boys’ Brigade annually awards to the best Junior Section Boy the Heriot Prentice Cup .

        Heriot was awarded the Military Medal in 1943 for heroism under fire in North Africa serving with the 2nd Lothian and Borders Horse (a volunteer mechanised cavalry regiment operating tanks).

        “On 23 April 1943, in an action north of the Sebkret El Kourzia, the Sergeant commanding the tank in which Trooper Prentice was wireless operator was killed by shellfire. The Troop Leader’s tank was at the same time set on fire. Tpr. Prentice thereupon, on his own initiative, assumed command of the tank, reported the situation on the wireless and ordered his tank to advance. Although still under heavy fire both from shells and bombs, he picked up his Troop Leader and crew from the burning tank and conveyed them to a place of safety where he left them. Without hesitation he immediately returned and took his position in the fighting which was still continuing.

        “He acted throughout entirely on his own initiative, and displayed a coolness under fire and a determination to re-engage the enemy that was an example to all who saw it.” R. S. G. Perry Lt. Col.

        Heriot was promoted to Lance Corporal. There are memorials to him inside and outside the Old Kirk St John the Baptist), Corstorphine.

      3. Robert John "Ian" Thorburn Prentice, b. Edinburgh 12 Apr 1922 and d. in Spain c. 2001. He m. 3 dtimes. He m. 1st Lillian Catherine Rosie and had three children:
        1. George Thorburn Prentice,
        2. Lillian Edith Prentice,
        3. Heriot Calder Prentice.
    10. Andrew L. Prentice was b. 6 Oct 1886 in Eddleston, Peebleshire, Scotland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [10]

    6. Jane Prentice, chr. 29 Oct 1847, Whitekirk, Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland. Jane died at Kirkcaldy, Fifeshire, on 8 June 1930. Occupation: Dress Maker.

    She m. married James Ortcheson/Orchison of Coupar Angus, Perthshire at Tynninghame Links, Whitekirk on 6 Jun 1884. James Ortcheson was b. c. 1851, Coupar Angus, Perthshire. He was the son of William Ortcheson and Janet McIntosh. He had a younger brother David. James died Kirkcaldy on 2 Jan 1927. Two recorded children.

    1. Jane Ortcheson, b. 14 November 1884, Prestonkirk, East Lothian. No known issue.
    2. James Ortcheson, b. 25 January 1892, North Berwick, East Lothian . James died at Kirkcaldy on 14 Feb 1935. No known issue.

    7. William Prentice was b. 10 Jun 1876 in Dalry, Kirkcudbright Scotland (per 1881 census and Martin Mabey email). Has last place of residence in 1924, before leaving for the United States was Haddington, Scotland. He arrived at Ellis Island on 30 Jun 1924 aboard the Cameronia which had departed Glasgow. He was described as 61, fair, dark hair and grey eyes The purpose of his trip as to visit his brother, Andrew Prentice then living on Morse Place, Englewood, NJ (per Ellis Island Records).

    He appears in the 1930 census in Haworth Borough, Bergen Co. NJ with his family who had emigrated to the United States at some date between 1925 and early 1930.

    He m. Matilda Jane Brown on 15 Mar 1911, Canongate, EdinburghShe was b. c. 1885, Scotland, as were both of her parents. Children, per 1930 census:

    1. Philip Oliver Prentice,b. c. 1913, Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [11]
    2. George Douglas Prentice, b. c. 1915, Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland.
    3. William Gordon Prentice, b. c. 1916, Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland.
    4. Florence Prentice, b. c. 1918, Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland.
    5. Robert Haig Prentice, b. 10 Nov 1922, Nungate, Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland.
    6. Thomas Walker Prentice, b. 26 Aug 1925,, Nungate, Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland. This was the third TWP. He enlisted in the US Army at Meadville, PA, on 27 Nov 1945, as a Sergeant in the Panama Canal Department. He died at Closter, Bergen County, New Jersey on 23 Jan 1996.

    8. John Prentice, b. 21 Dec 1879, Dalry, (St Johnstown of Dalry), Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland. His previous pre-emigration address was Haddington, Scotland. Traveling with him was Thomas Prentice, below. (per Ellis Island Records). No spouse or children shown. He appears in the 1920 Kay Co., OK census, unmarried, as a border in the home of W. D. Kirkpatrick. John does not appear in the 1930 Kay Co., OK census. John is understood to have died at Demarest, Bergen County, NJ, date unknown.

    9. Thomas Walker Prentice was b. 8 Aug 1880, Dalry, Scotland. Thomas is probably the Thomas Prentice shown in the SSDI as b. 8 Aug 1880 and d. 9 Feb 1963, Ponca City, OK.

    His pre-emigration address was Edinburgh, Scotland. He was traveling with John Prentice, above. No children shown (per Ellis Island Records).

    Thomas and his kin emigrated to America, traveling Second Class, on on the SS Cameronia (Anchor Line) Glasgow-New York, departing 2 December 1911. Thomas's occupation is given as "Clerk" and John's as "Seedsman". Thomas and his kin initially were in PA in 1911 and later appear in the 1920 and 1930 Ponca, Kay Co., OK census with his wife and family. Thomas became an accountant with Conoco (perhaps with Marland Oil before that) Thomas died 9 Feb 1963, Ponca City, OK.

    He m. Nellie "Nettie" B. Cox, b. c. 1888 in MS. The 1920 shows Sorenthia(?) Cox, b. c. 1855, MS, living in their home and identified as "mother in law." She does not appear in the SSDI. Children:

    1. Thomas Walker Prentice, Jr., b. c. 1916 in NY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [12]
    2. Helen B. Prentice, b. c. 1919-20 in OK. At home in 1930.

    10. Andrew L. Prentice was b. 6 Oct 1886 in Eddleston, Peebleshire, Scotland (both parents b. in England). Not in SSDI. He immigrated to the US, arriving on 26 Mar 1911 at Ellis Island from Glasgow on the "Caledonia." He was a Bank Teller. He appears in the 1920 census in Englewood Ward, Bergen Co.,NJ. with his wife. Andrew is understood to have died at Englewood, Bergen Co., NJ.

    He m. Sarah L. Lyttle, b. c. 1885, Northern Ireland (both parents b. in Northern Ireland) (per 1930 census). Children:

    1. Helen T. Prentice, b. c. 1916, NY. At home in 1930.

    Living with the family in 1930 was William Lyttle, called a brother in law, b. c. 1882, Northern Ireland.

    11. Philip O. Prentice, b. c. 1913, Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland. He immigrated to the United States with his parents, arriving on 26 Mar 1911 at Ellis Island from Glasgow on the "Caledonia."

    He is tentative identified as the Philip Prentice who lived in New City, Rockland Co., NY, and m. Loretta and had 2 or more children, including (per Dorothy Terhune Curtis, email, 4 Feb 2006):

    1. Shirley Bell Prentice, b. c. 1937-1938. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [13]
    2. Phyllis Prentice

    12. Thomas Walker Prentice, Jr., b. c. 1916 in NY. At home in 1930. WW II military death records identify him as a Pilot Officer, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 250 Sqdn., who d. at age 27 on 22 Jul 1942, North Africa. He was the son of Thomas Walker Prentice and Nell Prentice, of Ponca City, Oklahoma, U.S.A., A.B. (Dartmouth), LL.D. (Oklahoma). His memorial can be found at Column 249, Alamein Memorial. A Google search discloses the following information:

      El Alamein Memorial: In Egypt, the memorial at El Alamein bears the names of 213 Canadian airmen. These men served all over the Middle East during the Second World War. Above the entrance to the cloisters, which protect the 11,868 names of those of the Commonwealth who died with no known grave, is the following inscription:

        WITHIN THIS CLOISTER ARE INSCRIBED THE NAMES OF SOLDIERS AND AIRMEN OF THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH AND EMPIRE WHO DIED FIGHTING ON LAND OR IN THE AIR THERE TWO CONTINENTS MEET AND TO WHOM THE FORTUNE OF WAR DENIED A KNOWN AND HONOURED GRAVE.

      The name panels are of Portland stone and the cloisters are of limestone quarried nearby. This is desert country, but beds of roses front the memorial. Water from tanks along the nearby railroad and stored in underground reservoirs, ensures an oasis-like atmosphere. A short approach road, marked by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, leads to the Memorial site off the main desert highway.

    13. Shirley Bell Prentice, b. c. 1937-1938, lived in New City, Rockland Co., NY, attended Clarkstown School there (per Dorothy Terhune Curtis, email, 4 Feb 2006).

    She m. Myron Hough and had 2 sons (per Dorothy Terhune Curtis, ibid).

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

    Caution: If you don't use the above email link, your email to us may be deleted as spam by our email filter.

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