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    Michael Prentice of Hastings Co., Ontario, Canada
    By Linus Joseph Dewald Jr., Editor
    Spring 2009 and Revised 1 Jan 2009
    Introduction:

    This is an updating and consolidating of 2 earler, 1999, articles appearing in our newsletter in the hope that our viewers will be able to provide additional information about Michael Prentice, his roots, and his descendants. 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.


    We are helping Patricia Burke, Wendy Cosper, Dale Hughey and Eileen, Doug Storie, Glen Campbell and William J. Stewart in their search for their Prentice ancestors. Here is what we have so far:

    1. Michael Prentice: Date of Birth. There is some uncertainty as to the date of his birth:

    1. The 1871 census of Carlow, Hastings, Ontario says that Michael was then 52 (b. c. 1819)
    2. The 1891 Hastings Co. census showed his age as 69 which would indicate a birth year of about 1822.
    3. An entry in Ancestry.com says he was b. 1818 in Wexford, Ireland, but no source document is cited.
    4. Information provided by his son on Michael's death dertificate, with whom he was living when Michael died, says he was born in 1811. Of the 3 different dates, the 1811 date provided by Michael's son would seem to be the more reliable date.

    Place of Birth: Again, there is uncertainty as to his place of birth and ancestry of his parents.

    1. The 1871 census of Carlow, Hastings, Ontario says that Michael was then 52 (b. c. 1819) and born in the United States.

    Place of Death: An entry in Ancestry.com says he d. 1897 in Ontario, Canada.

    Origins:

    1. The 1871 census of Carlow, Hastings, Ontario says that Michael was then 52 (b. c. 1819) and born in the United States. The census designates his "Origin" as "Dutch" and designates his "Origin" as "Dutch."
    2. The 1881 Carlow census says he was then 64 (b. 1817) and reads as follows: "Michael Prentice, Catholic, German, farmer." It is unclear whether the "German" refers to his place of birth or to German origins. The "Dutch" in the 1871 census may be a corruption of "Deutch," or German. We tend to think of "Prentice" as an English-Irish-Scottish name, but in our research we have found a fair number with German roots. Also, "Michael" was a fairly common German name in that period.

    Immigration to Canada: According to a Township History published in 1977, Michael came to Canada from Ogdensburg, NY when he was 21 years old. A variation of that says he imigrated to NY and then went to Canada with a travelling show company. Another veration says that, since spoke broken French, he was raised in Quebec. The year of immigration would depend on his actual date of birth (see above discussion).

    It is said that Michael selected his own wood & metal handles for his own casket, which was made by Andrew Stringer of Carlow. His funeral became the talk of the contryside. He was carried behind black Percherons who had mounted brass harnesses.

    Marriage: Michael married Eliza Jane Oram in 1850 and the marriage record shows them both to be residents of Blythfield. The names of their parents were not given. However, by email of 8 Oct 2002, Dale Hughey advises that Eliza Jane is the daughter of Alexander and Matilda Oram; he relates that Alexander and Matilda lived at Calabogie Lake, Ontario, in 1864 and they later moved to Carlow Twp., Hastings Co., Ontario. Wedding witnesses were William Gordon and G. Ross.

    Children of Michael and Eliza Jane, born in Renfrew County were:

    1. Catherine Prentice, b. 25 Apr 1851, Bagot Twp and d. in the Spring, 1938, Carolow. She married, as his second wife, David "Dave" Kennedy on 2 Sep 1868, Mayo Twp. Patricia Burke's email of 29 Oct 2000, citing a book on local history, says Catherine was known as one of the grand old ladies of Carlow Township. Her home was overlooking the Conroy Marsh.

      An article describing her 85th birthday celebration in Havergal on 26 Apr 1936 names some who were there, including Mrs. William Prentice & Miss Agnes Prentice. It states that she was born at Calabogie, Renfrew County in 1851, daughter of Michael Prentice & Elizabeth Oram. It related that the family had moved to Carlow in 1864, along with many, many families from Renfrew County.

    2. Margaret Prentice, b. 3 Dec 1852, poss. in Hastings County, and d. 17 Jun 1916. She m. Archibald Kernochan (Carnochan, Kernighan). Both are bur. in the Carlow United Church cemetery.
    3. Maria Prentice, b. 11 Jan 1854, Hastings, Ontario. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [2]
    4. Eliza Jane "Jeannie" Prentice 1857-1942 (per Carlow United Church Cem., Carlow) and m. William J. McNaual/McNeil (1854-1935). Children (per Carlow United Ch. Cemetery):
      1. Mary McNauel/McNeil, b. 1879 and d. 1918. She m. J. A. MacDonald.
      2. Dolly McNauel/McNeil, b. 1893 and d. 1936. Se m. S. Dennison.
    5. Benjamin Prentice, b. 11 Feb 1860, Boulter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [3]
    6. Susanna Prentice, b. 1862 and m. William J. Sadler. 
    7. John Prentice, b. 11 Apr 1863 and d. 1950 (per Carlow cemetery record). He m. Matilda Perrier.
    8. Grace Prentice, b. 17 Mar 1866, Carlow Twp. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [4]
    9. William Prentice, b. 11 Jan 1868 and d. 31 Mar 1959, Carlow. He m. Caroline Foster, b. 5 Oct 1871 and d. 20 Nov 1954.
    10. George N. Prentice, b. 1869/70 and m. Melissa Brenette (or Burns?) and Elizabeth Hynes.
    11. Agnes Prentice, b. 1872. Did not marry. 
    12. Michael Prentice, b. 1877 and d. 1950. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [5]

    2. Maria Prentice, b. 11 Jan 1854, Hastings, Ontario (per Wendy Cosper, 12 Jan 2001). She m. William Rufus Landonon 27 Sep 1881 at Combermere,Radcliffe Twp. He was b. c. 11 Jun 1857, son of Rufus (b. 12 Jul 1817, Eliabethtown, Ontario and d. 7 May 1861, Fitzroy) and Susanna DeLancette (b. 24 Apr 1828, South Gower, Ontario) and in 1881 lived in Fitzroy, Combermere, Ontario. Wedding witnesses were George Bisonette(?) and Jane McDonald, both of Combermere. Children (per Lorraine Taylor, email, 6 Jan 2004):

    1. Eliza Jane Landon, b. 9 Mar 1882.
    2. Margaret L. Landon, b. 24 Sep 1883.
    3. Susannah Landon, b. c. 1884 on 29 Aug. 1906 at Bracebridge.. She m. James McCracken, 22, farmer, Canada, Draper Twp., s/o James McCracken and Mary Presley, 22, Canada, Oakley Township. Witnesses were Henry & Henrietta Rice, both of Vankoughnet,
    4. Henrietta M. Landon, b. c. 1886. She m. Henry Rice, 28, 6 July 1904 at Vankoughnet, Oakley Twp. He was a laborer, King Twp., Oakley, s/o John Rice and Harriet White. Witnesses were William Tinkiss of Ryder & Margaret Landon of Oakley. Henry (Harry) Rice died in 1952 and is buried in Mickle Memorial Cemetery, Bracebridge.
    5. William J. Landon, b. 10 Feb 1888.
    6. Lewis J. Landon, b. 11 Apr 1891.
    7. Laura Landon, b. 29 Dec 1896.

    3. Benjamin Prentice, b. 11 Feb 1860, Boulter or Carlow, Hastings County (or b. 11 Jan 1859 (per 1901 Carlow census, Div. 1, pg. 7, Family 62) and d. 26 Jan 1916 in Carlow, Ontario. .

    By email of 18 Jan 2007, Melissa Beedle advises that Benjamin was a witness at the wedding of her great great grandfather, John Bailey, to Sophia Whitefoot ("9905-80 John BAILEY, 21, farmer, Stok--? England, Carlow, s/o William & Ann, married Sophia WHITEFOOT, 16, London England, Carlow, d/o Walter & Sarah, witn: Benjamin PRENTISS & Alice Maud WHITEFOOT, 2 Oct 1880 at Combermere.) He m. Jane/Janet "Jeannie" Kelly on 7 Nov 1882 or 1883 in Carlow Twp., Hastings, Ontario. She was b. 25 Mar 1866 in Boulter, Hastings, Ontario, and d. 11 Oct 1954 in Carlow, Hastings, Ontario and was the dau. of Benjamin Kelly and Elizabeth Kilby. Both are bur. in the Carlow United Church Cemetery. An Ancestor Chart for her can be found at Ancestry.com .

    Children (per Neeta Magee E-mail of 23 Feb 2000 and Trish Burke E-mail of 27 Oct 2000):

    1. Mary Elizabeth Prentice, b. 9 Dec 1883, Carlow, Hastings, Ontario (per 1901 Carlow census) and d. 19 Oct 1945, Schumacher, Ontario. She m. William E. Small on 4 Jan 1916, Carlow. Son:
      1. Elmer Small, b. 1918 and d. Peterborough, Ontario. He m. Betty McGillis.

    2. Benjamin Prentice, b. 26 Apr 1886, Carlow, Ontario (per 1901 Carlow census) at Boulter, Hastings, Ontario, and d. 18 Apr 1951, Carlow. He m. Eliza Bruce (1886-1981) in 1907 in Boulter, Carlow. Both are buried in the Carlow cemetery. Daughter:
      1. (Dau.) Prentice. She m. Mr. Videto.

    3. George Samuel Prentice, 1888-1955. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [3.1]

    4. William James "James" Prentice, b. 9 Jul 1890 Carlow Twp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [6]

    5. Charles John Prentice, 18 Apr 1893, Carrlow, Hastings (per 1901 Carlow census) and d. 18 Oct 1968, Peterborurough, Ontario. He m. Gertrude Caverly Gould. She d. c. 1970.

    6. Herbert "Herb" Michael Prentice, b. 29 Mar 1896, Carlow, Ontario (per 1901 Carlos census) and d. 7 Nov 1955, Carlow.. He m. Grace Muriel Lavoy on 7 Nov 1955, Carlow. She was b. 4 Mar 1891, Hastings, Ontario, and d. 12 Feb 1980, Carlow, Ontario.. Both buried in the Carlow cemetery. An Ancestor Chart for her can be found at Ancestry.com .

    7. Markham/Markward Robert Prentice, b. 3 or 4 May 1899, Carlow, Hastings, Ontario, and d. there 9 Jan 1918, age 19 years.

    8. McLaren/McLearn Archibald Prentice, b. 1902 and d. 1970. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [7]

    9. Irene Violet Prentice, b. 18 Feb 1905, Carlow, Hastings, and d. there 16 Oct 1966. She m. Howard P. Stewart on 13 Nov 1925, Carlow. Hewas b. 23 Feb 1893 and d. 14 Sep 1959. Both are bur. in the Carlow cemetery. Son:
      1. Howard Stewart.

    10. Myrtle Prentice, b. 7 May 1907, Carlow and d. there on 28 Oct 1911, age 4 years.

    3.1 George Samuel Prentice, b. 17 Mar 1888, Boulter, Hastings, Ontario, Hastings (or 1889 at Carlow, Hastings City, Ontario per 1901 Carlow census), and d. 2 Apr 1955, Maple Leaf, Ontario.

    He m. Mary Etta Lavoy/Lauox on 23 Oct 1915, Carlow. She was b. 6 Feb 1891 and d. 28 Apr 1980 in Maple Leaf. Children:

    1. Emmerson Prentice
    2. Ross Alan Prentice
    3. Emma Elizabeth Prentice
    4. Reginald Ronald Prentice
    5. George Edgar Prentice. He m. Rowena.
    6. Rosebud Etta Prentice. She m. Mr. Cook.
    7. Vivian Fern Prentice. She m. Ross Plumely who d. 20 Jan 1995.
    8. Dorthy Gwendolyn Prentice, b. 29 May 1917 in Carlow, Hastings Cty, Ontario, Canada. She m. Gordon H. Chalmers and had 3 sons and 3 daughters.
    9. Melville Emerson Prentice, b. 11 Oct 1918. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [3.2]

    3.2 Melville Emerson Prentice, b. 11 Oct 1918 at Greenview, Hastings, Ontario. He appears in WW II military death records as a Rifleman, Queen's Own Rifles of Canada, R.C.I.C., who d. age 26 on 2 Apr 1945, son of George and Etta Prentice, of Bancroft, Ontario; husband of Lura Pearl Prentice, of Bancroft. His memorian can be found at XXII. D. 1.,Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery.Description. A Google search discloses the following information:

      The Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek is a field of honor to the memory of the Canadian soldiers who were killed during World War II.

      Background: The Canadian War Cemetery reminds the inhabitants of Groesbeek of the allied solders who were killed during Operation Veritable. It is the largest cemetery of British Commonwealth soldiers in The Netherlands.

      The majority of the Canadians who lie buried in Groesbeek were killed during Operation Veritable, which started on 8 February 1945. Its objective was to cross the Rhine as quickly as possible. The advance was preceded by bombardments executed by approximately 800 heavy bombers. The cities of Kleef and Goch were the first targets. More than 5,000 Canadians were killed during this operation. The First Canadian Army under General Crerar included some British divisions. More than 200,000 soldiers and their supplies were assembled around Nijmegen for quite a long time without being noticed. Due to heavy resistance the Allied Forces could not cross the Rhine, near Wesel, before the end of March.

    4. Grace Prentice, b. 17 Mar 1866, Carlow Twp., Hastings County, and d. 11 Jun 1946. She m. James Robertson Stewart on 30 Jun 1886. James was b. 6 Mar 1864 and d. 10 Dec 1940 (per William J. Stewart, email, 2 May 2005). Both are bur. in the Carlow United Church Cemetery. Their children included:

    1. Allan Burton Stewart, b. 23 Jul 1907 and d. 1 Jul 1997. Bur. United Church Cemetary in Hermon. He m. married Mabel Bruce on 5 Jun 1933. She was b. 18 Sep 1913 and d. 1 Jun 1997. Children:
      1. James Allan Stewart, b. 7 May 1943. He m. 1st Ann Holmes on June 24, 1972. She was b. 5 Nov 1950. Children:
        1. Tracy Ann Stewart, b. 2 Feb 1973. She m. Joe Goncalves on 5 Feb 1994. He was b. 24 Jun 1972.
        2. William James Stewart, b. 10 Apr 1974. He m. Shelly Timmins on 24 Oct 1992. She was b. 27 Nov 1971.

        James m. 2nd. Linda Smith on 14 Feb 1993. Son:

        1. Donald Stewart.

    2. Donald Stewart
    3. Micheal James Stewart
    4. Howard Peter Stewart
    5. Lillian Agnes Stewart
    6. Henry Robertson Stewart
    7. George Arnold Stewart
    8. Viola Catherine Stewart
    9. Mary Alma Stewart
    10. Duncan Stewart
    11. Hugh/Hughie Stewart
    12. Wilfred Stewart

    They had 1 or more grandchildren, including:

    • Ernie E. Stewart, d. 1941 and bur. same cemetery.

    5. Michael Prentice, b. 1877 and d. 1950 (per cemetery record) in Carlow. He m. Elizabeth F. Wilson (1867-1964). Children (per Doug Storie).

    1. Agnes Prentice
    2. Douglas Prentice
    3. Fern Prentice
    4. Dennis Prentice b: in Bancroft, Hastings Co, Ontario, Canada
    5. Verna Prentice
    6. Murray Prentice
    7. Charlotte Prentice
    8. Caroll E. Prentice b: 1928 and d. 1930. Bur. Carlow, Hastings Co., Ontario
    9. William Prentice b: 1932 in Boulter, Hastings Co, Ontario. Died Belleville, Ontario, Canada. He m. Miss Head and had a child.

    6. William James "James" Prentice, b. 9 Jul 1890 Carlow Twp. and d. 26 Aug 1962 in S. Porcupine, Ontario.

    He m. Mary Olive Kennedy on 20 Jun 1923 in Carlow Twp. Mary was b. 7 Sep 1903 in Carlow Twp. and d. 14 May 1982 in Toronto. She was the dau. of Nathan Dayton Stoughton Kennedy & Catherine Lillian Young.

    William and Mary had 3 sons and a daughter, but, by request of a descendant, those persons and their children have been removed from this article.

    7. McLaren Archibald Prentice, b. 1902 and d. 1970. Buried in the Carlow cemetery.

    He m. Ethel Wannamaker c. 1930-35. She was the dau. of Robert Nicolas Wannamaker (b. 1857 in Madoc, Mayo twp. North Hasting Co., Ontario) and Margaret Kennedy (b. 16 Aug 1860 in Calabogie, Bagot Twp. Renfrew Co., Ontario. Ancestor Charts for her can be found at Rootsweb.com . Children, probably b. after 1935:

    1. Amy Prentice She m. and had 2 sons surnamed Blanchett
    2. Ruby Prentice. She m. Rev. Douglas Conlin.
    3. Josie Prentice. She m. Joseph Rowe and had a son and daughter.
    4. Myrtle Prentice. The Rootsweb.com website, above, says Myrtle was b. 1900 and d. 1904. That cannot be correct since McLaren Prentice, identified as her father, was b. 1902. Either Myrtle's dates are wrong, or she is not McLaren's daughter.

    Also buried at the Carlow United Church Cemetery are the following persons who are probably descendants of Michael Prentice, but their exact relationship is not yet known:

    1. Elinor/Eleanor M. Prentice, b. 1918.
    2. Daniel R. Prentice, b. 1910 and d. 1972. His wife, also buried there, is Helen Langdon, b. 1913.
    3. Ruby Alice Prentice, b. 12 Apr 1917. She m. Percy Mayhew, b.7 Jul 1912 and d. 31 Dec 1982. Both buried there.
    4. Nicholas John (Jerry) Prentice, b. 1899 and d. 1974. He m. Jessie Kirk McKie. She was. b. 1911. Both buried there.

    Who are Michael Prentice's Parents?

    Investigation is continuing.

    Correspondence:   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.

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