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Henry Prentice of Paris, Oxford Co., Maine
By Linus Joseph Dewald Jr., Editor
Summer 2009 and Revised: 23 Apr 2009

1. Henry Prentice was b. c. 1775-1780, probably in Ireland He appears in the 1820 and 1830 Paris, Oxford Co., ME census. The 1830 says he was b. 1770-1780 and the 1820 census says he was b. 1775-1794. Henry's probable Ireland birth is based on the 1805 Ireland birth of his son, Patrick.

He m. Mary, probably b. in Ireland also. They probably had 2 or more children:

  1. (probably) Patrick Prentice, b. c. 1805, Ireland. The 1820 census indicates that Patrick was a "foreigner not naturalized." Not home in 1930 census. He later appears in the 1850 census in Saco, York Co., ME. His occupation is that of a brickmaker. No wife or family is indicated. Saco lies about 10 miles NNE of Kennebunkport.
  2. (probably) James Henry Prentice, b. c. 1815, ME. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [2]
  3. (son) b. c. 1815-1820 per 1930 census.
  4. (son) b. c. 1820-1825 per 1930 census.
  5. (son) b. c. 1820-1825 per 1930 census.

2. (probably) James Henry Prentiss, b. c. 1815, Kennebunk, York Co., ME (per 1860 ME census). . We infer he is the son of Henry Prentice, above, given his 1815 ME birth and the absence of any Prentice other than Henry Prentice who could be his father.

He may be the James Prentis, age 20-30 and b. 1910-1920, who appears in the 1840 census in Kennebunk, York Co., ME, with a very young son and daughter.

He seems not to appear in the 1850 census, but does appear in the 1860 census in Kennebunk, York Co., ME which identifies his occupation as that of a "Ships Joiner."

He married, first, Christina Thompson on Nov 6,1836 who died 19 Sep 1846.Children:

  1. George H. Prentiss, b. 1837, ME(?) and d. 21 Oct 1873. Not home in 1860 census.
  2. Emily B. Prentiss, b. 1839, ME(?). Not home in 1860 census.
  3. Adelaide "Ada" C. Prentiss, b. 1844, MA per 1860 census. She m. Daniel C. Bryant. She is probably the Ada Bryant, b. c. 1845-6, ME, who appears in the 1880 Boston, Suffolk Co., MA census with her husband, Daniel C. Bryant, b. c. 1838, ME, Carpenter, and children:
    1. Raymond Brant, b. c. 1866, MA.
    2. Ann Bryant, b. c. 1868, MA.
James Henry Prentice married, second, Lucy Ann Jones. The 1860 census says she was b. c. 1825, ME. She is said to have d. on 15 Jan 1883. Children:

  1. Frank H. Prentiss, b. 1848, ME, per 1860 census. At home in 1860. Not in 1880 census.
  2. William "Willey" C. Prentiss, b. 1851, ME. At home in 1860 census. William was in a car accident and did painting and decorating
  3. James Lyon Prentiss, b. Sep 1857. . . . . . . . . . . . [3]

Shown at Kennebunkport, York, ME in the 1850 census is 8 year old Seth Prentiss, b. c. 1842 in MA. He appears in the home of Seth Dennett (b. c. 1815, ME) and his wife, Elizabeth (b. c. 1818, ME). His relationship, if any, to James Henry Prentice is not known.

3. James Lyon Prentiss , was b. Sep 1857 in Maine. At home in 1860 in Kennebunk, York Co., ME. He appears in the 1880 and 1890 Boston, MA census. The 1900 Boston census incorrectly indexes him as Lavera L. Prentiss because of illegible handwriting. James later moved to Rockville, Tolland, CT (probably before 1905; see his son, James, below) where he appears in the 1920 census. James d. Apr 1940.

He m., 1st, Elizabeth Young. Children:

  1. Melville Prentiss, b. c. 1882. He is shown living with his brother, James, in the 1920 Berkshire Co., MA census.
  2. Lucy Prentiss. Lucy married William Ellis and had a daugher, Grace Ellis.
  3. James A. Prentiss, b. Nov 1886, MA. He is shown in the 1930 Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., MA census with his wife, Bessie Cudney, b. c. 1887, CT, and their children:
    1. Luella Prentiss, b. c. 1905, CT.
    2. (probably) Frank Howard Prentiss, b. c. 1906-07, West Stockbridge, MA. He m. Shirley May Brown on 21 Jan 1935. He was then living at 60 Center Street, Pittsfield. Daughter:
      1. Carol Ann Prentiss, b. 4 Nov 1936.
    3. James Ivan Prentiss, b. c. 1907, CT. Unclear whether in SSDI. In 1935 he was living with his father at 60 Center St., Pittsfield (per Fred Printiss, email, 23 Feb 2008)
    4. Harold O. Prentiss, b. 11 Oct 1908, MA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [4]
    5. Franklin Howard Prentice (aka Howard F. Prentice), b. c. 1909, MA. He may be the Howard Prentiss shown in the SSDI as b. 12 Oct 1908 and d. Mar 1979 in Richmond, Berkshire, MA. Fred Printiss' email of 23 Feb 2008 related that Pittsfield marriage records show that Franklin Howard Prentiss of 60 Center Street age 27 yrs (1st marriage), born W Stockbridge, working as a spinner, son of James and Bessie Cudney (Mass), m. Shirley M. Brown of Pittsfield on 21 Nov 1935 by W. Bunker-minister-Pittsfield. They had 1 or more children, including:
      1. Carol Ann Prentiss, b. 4 Nov 1936, Pittsfield (per Fred Printiss, above)
    Also living with James' family was his brother Melville.

  4. Edwin K. Prentiss, b. 25 Feb 1888, MA, and d. Jan 1970 in West Springfield, Hampden Co., MA. At home in the 1920 census in Rockville, Tolland Co. CT. He appears in the 1920 and 1930 census in Springfield, Hampden Co., MA, with his wife and daughter. He m. Sadie L., b. 8 Mar 1893, NY and d. Jul 1977 in West Springfield, Hampden Co., MA, (per SSDI). with both parents b. in MA. Daughter per 1930 census:

    1. Ellyn M. Prentiss, b. c. 1925, Springfield At home in 1930.

  5. Ernest F. Prentiss, b. Jan 1891, MA. Ernest appears in the 1920 Rockville, Tolland, CT census with his wife, Emma, b. c. 1897, MA. Not in SSDI. Children:
    1. Ellen K. Prentiss, b. c. 1916, MA.
    2. Roy A. Prentiss, b. c. 1919, CT. He is probably the Roy Prentiss, a Military Policeman, who shot Lloyd Knapp on 6 Apr 1943 at Camp Hood, Texas. By E-mail of 13 Jul 1999, George Murphy relates that Prentiss' mother lived on 93 Elm Street, Winstead, Conn. Newspaper accounts of the shooting relate that Prentiss was a former Rockville boy found guilty of murder by an Army court martial and was sentenced to hang.

      On the night of the murder, Prentiss was in a truck with Lloyd and the truck driver when Prentiss shot Lloyd, threatened to shoot the driver, then turned the gun on himself, shooting himself in the head. For several weeks he lay near death in a hospital, but recovered, and went to trial. His mother appealed to FDR for a reprieve, but the result is not known.

    3. Kenneth Prentiss, stationed at Camp Breckenridge in Kentucky during WW II (per George Murphy, referencing newspaper account).

James Lyon Prentiss married, 2nd, Jenny Ellis who was b. 21 Jun 1878, MA. Children:

  1. Hazel C. Prentiss, b. c. 1905, CT and appears at home in the 1920 Rockville, Tolland, CT census. She m. James Joseph Kelley on 30 Jun 1924. Childen:
    1. Cyril James Kelley, b. 3 Nov 1927.
    2. James Joseph Lelley,jr. b. 17 Oct 1929
    3. Lionel Basil Kelley b. 8 Mar 1933. Lionel married Edith Gingras and their childs name is Rosanna Kelley.
    4. Douglas Answorth Kelley b. 21 Sep (1934?). Douglas received a musical award at Ellington Center School.
    5. Elaine Lois Kelley b. 31 Oct 1936. Elaine married Norman Gaertner and their children are James and Christina

  2. Elmer W. C. Prentiss, b. 9 Nov 1912, CT, and d. Apr 1981, Tolland, Tolland Co., CT (per SSDI). He appears at home in the 1920 Rockville, Tolland, CT census. He is probably the Elmer Prentiss shown in the SSDI as b. 9 Nov 1912 and d. Apr 1981, Tolland, Tolland Co., CT.

  3. Milton L. Prentiss, b.19 Mar 1915, CT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [5]

4. Harold O. Prentiss. He is unclear whether he is the Howard Prentiss shown in the SSDI as b. 11 Oct 1908, and d. 1979 in Richmond, Berkshire Co., MA. Not in 1920 or 1930 census.

He m. Dorothy Virginia. She was living in 2004 in FL. Known children (per obit. of dau., Dianne):

  1. Dianne Virginia Prentiss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [6]
  2. Harold O. "Chip" Prentiss III, b. 18 May 1947. Living in Warren, ME, from c. 1886 to 2009. He m. 1st Susan Kennedy. Son:
    1. Fredrick Kennedy Prentiss,
    Harold m. 2nd Robin who was deceased by 2009. Children per Misty Prentiss, email, 8 & 9 Apr 2009:
    1. Heith Prentiss, b. c. 1973.
    2. Matthew Prentiss, b. c. 1975.
    3. Brandy Prentiss, b. c. 1979.
    Harold m. 3rd Paula Poirier. Daughter:
    1. Misty Wynne Prentiss. She m. Charles Fontenot. Children :
      1. Gabrielle Lynn Fontenot, b. 30 Jul 2002.
      2. Angeleena Lillian Fontenot, b. 16 Jan 2007.
  3. Gregg Prentiss. About 2006 he lived in MA.
  4. Kevin Prentiss. Living in 2006
  5. Susan/Susanne Prentiss in 2009 lived in a small town near Lewiston, ME and is m. with 2 children.
  6. Mary Prentiss.
  7. Tim Prentiss.
  8. Neil Prentiss, dec. Nov. 2002 (not in SSDI as of Apr 2009)

5. Milton L. Prentiss, was b. 9 Mar 1915, CT, and d. Jan 1980, Allentown, Lehigh Co., PA (per SSDI). At home in 1920 and 1930, CT and appears in the 1920 Rockville, Tolland, CT census. He is likely the Milton Prentiss shown in the SSDI as b. 9 Mar 1915 and d. Jan 1980 in Allentown, Lehigh Co., PA.

He married Evelyn Georgianna Furness on 2 Sep 1936 at St. Edwards Rectory, Stafford Springs, Tolland, CT. Evelyn was born on 28 Jul 1916. For her English ancestry, see Laurie Cordano's E-mail of 15 Sep 1999 and Ancestry.com .. Children:

  1. Georgianna Jane Prentiss, b. 29 May 1937. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [7]
  2. Patricia Elizabeth Prentiss, b. 1 Sep 1939. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [8]
  3. Virginia Nancy Prentiss, 9 Jul 1940. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .[9]
  4. James Joseph Prentiss, b. 24 Oct 1941. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [10]
  5. Howard Lee Prentiss, 13 Jan 1944. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [11]
  6. Charles Arthur Prentiss, b. 5 Mar 1945.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [12]
  7. Samuel Lawerence Prentiss, b. 22 Apr 1946. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .[13]
  8. William Forrest Prentiss, b. 18 Feb 1948. He m. Donna M. Smith in 1948. Children:
    1. William Prentiss, b. 19 Feb 1969
    2. Nancy Prentiss, b. 7 May 1971
    3. Marshall Prentiss, b. 21 Mar 1982
  9. Albert Frncis Prentiss, b. 13 Jun 1949. He married Diane Putz in 1973/ Children:
    1. Scott Prentiss, b. 23 Aug 1979
    2. Brian Prentiss, b. 9 Mar 1983
  10. Barry Eugene Prentiss, b. 15 Aug 1950. He m. Ann Marie Gonthier in 1973. Children:
    1. Selena Prentiss, b. 13 Oct 1974
    2. Barry Eugene Prentiss Jr., b. 5 Jul 1976.
  11. Nona Fay Prentiss, b. 12 Dec 1951. She m. David Perreira in 1972. Children:
    1. Sabrina Perreira.
    Nona m., 2nd, John Earl Tennant in 1979. Children:
    1. John Tennant, b. 15 Oct 1980
    2. Mathew Tennant, b. 27 Aug 8-27-1983

6. Dianne Virginia Prentiss was b. 26 Oct 1953 in Concord, MA, and d. 23 Oct 2004 in Ft. Collins, CO, of breast cancer according to her obituary.

She m. Curt Schreiber. Her obituary reads, in part, as follows:

Children:of Dianne Virginia Prentiss and Mr. Schreiber.

  1. Brett Schreiber.
  2. Kyle Schreiber.

7. Georgianna Jane Prentiss, b. 29 May 1937.

She m. John Queen Victory on 13 Jun 1956. Children:

  1. John Queen Victory b. 14 Mar 1958. No children.
  2. Willian Henry Victory, b. 20 Jan 1960. No children
  3. Kenneth Queen Victory, b. 15 Sep 1961. He m. Suzanne Marie Volpe. Children:
    1. Joseph Scott Bockel (son of Suzanne).
    2. Kenneth Brian Victory, b. 13 Sep 1983,
    3. Anthony Frank Victory, b. 18 Aug 1984,
    4. Christine Evelyn Victory, b. 29 May (1991?)
  4. Laura Jean Victory. She changed her name through adoption to Laurie Cathleen Cordano and her children are
    1. Whitney Marie Cordano
    2. Michael Thomas Cordano.
  5. Ronald Lee Victory. No children.
Georgianna m., 2nd, Robert Frances Harmon of Sobego Lake, ME. Son:
  1. Robert Francis Harmon Jr., b. in Moodus, CT.

8. Patricia Elizabeth Prentiss, b. 1 Sep 1939.

She m. David Julius Davis in 1956. Children:

  1. Patricia Marie Davis, b. 3 Jan 1957. She m. Bradley Dean Leikee. Childen:
    • Paul Allan Leiker, b. 21 Dec 1976,
    • Anthony Dean Leiker, b. 1980,
    • Nickalaus Dale Leiker, b. 3 Jan 1982.
  2. David Julius Davis Jr. Children:
    • Rhianon Lea Davis, b. 11 Jan 1978. He m. Penny Lee Smith.
  3. Pamela Ann Davis, b. 10 May 1960. She married Marc Edwin Boles. Children:
    • Tanslee Renee Boles, b. 8 Jun 1978,
    • Eric Marc Boles. b. 7 Feb 1980.
Patricia m., 2nd, Lionell Lavalee in 1963. Son:

9. Virginia Nancy Prentiss, 9 Jul 1940. She had a daughter:

  1. Nancy Prentiss. She was later adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Wilmot of Norwich, CT. Nancy m. Mr. Pike per her 2 emails of 23 Apr 2010.

Virginia then m. married Douglas Leveque in 1967. Children:

  1. Virginia Carmaline Leveque, b. 14 Sep 1968
  2. Melinda Marie Leveque, b. 26 Jul 1972

10. James Joseph Prentiss, b. 24 Oct 1941.

He m. Lorraine Harding in 1963. Children:

  1. Edward Prentiss, b. 23 Sep 1965.
  2. James Joseph Prentiss Jr. b. 25 Feb 1967
  3. Donald Alan Prentiss, b. 3 Mar 1977.
  4. Milton Leroy Prentiss Jr., b. 26 Sep 1942. He married Nancy Whistler and was divorced in 1968. He m., 2nd, Cheryl Qarczak Daughter:
    • Danielle Leah Prentiss, b. 11 Jan 1978.

11. Howard Lee Prentiss, 13 Jan 1944.

He married Carline May Knight in 1964. Children:

  1. Steven Prentiss, b. 22 Oct 1964
  2. Gordon Prentiss, b. 9 Oct 1965
  3. Richard Prentiss, b. 12 Oct 1966
  4. Julie Evely Prentiss, b. Nov 1968 and d. c. 1970.
  5. Laurie Jean Prentiss, b. 4 May 1973

12. Charles Arthur Prentiss, b. 5 Mar 1945.

He m. Nancy S. Gagnon. Children:

  1. Lisa Antoinette b. 6/22/1968. Lisa married John Gus Christensen 5/12/1993. Their children are: Joshua, Jessica, Joseph & Johnathon.
  2. Betsy Lynn b. 10/20/1970. Betsy married Frank Louis Kovacs 7/2/1994. Their children are: Hanna Jake b. 12/3/1997 & Jeremy Frank b. 11/18/2004
  3. Chuckie Phillip b. 12/18/1974

13. Samuel Lawerence Prentiss, b. 22 Apr 1946.

He m. Kathleen Hunter in 1966. Children:

  1. Sandie Prentiss, b. 30 Aug 1967. She m. Richard Combs on 13 Oct 1985.
  2. Kellie Prentiss, b. 21 May 1969 She is m. and has a daugher.
  3. Samuel Lawrence Prentiss Jr., b. 1 Aug 1972.
  4. Michael Prentiss, b. 17 Apr 1974,

Who are the Parents of Henry Prentice?

Investigation is continuing.

If you have any information about their roots, or about their descendants, please contact this newsletter at dewald@prenticenet.com.

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