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    The Prentices of Brent Eleigh, England
    By Linus Joseph Dewald, Editor
    Winter 1998 and Revised 11 Jul 2006

    By E-mail of 27 Nov 1998, we received the following information from Ian Prentice, our English correspondent. He thought the information would be of interest to readers of our Newsletter, and we thought so, too. His information is as follows:

    A. Christopher Prentyce. Since Christopher is not a common forename for Prentices it is quite probable that Christopher Prentyce, who was Rector of Mulbarton cum Kessingham, south west of Norwich, from 1500 to 1511, was a direct or indirect ancestor of the earliest known member of this family: William, who was buried in Ely Trinity Church on 20.8.1586. His wife Eleanor was buried there on 13.5.1589 and left a will. Their children were:

    1. Christopher Prentyce who was alive but living away from Ely in 1589. . . . . . . . . . [1]
    2. Avis Prentyce who was alive in 1589
    3. Henry Prentyce who was born in 1560 and buried in 1568
    4. Elizabeth Prentyce who was buried in 1568.

    1. Christopher Prentyce who was alive but living away from Ely in 1589. Christopher Prentyce had at least one son:

    1. Christopher Prentyce, b. c. 1595-1600. . . . . . . . [2]

    2. Christopher Prentyce Jr., b. c. 1595-1600, lived in Brent Eleigh, Suffolk by 1638. From this time the parish registers spelled the name as Prentice. Christopher's children were:

    1. Christopher Prentice, born c. 1620 and married Frances Johnson in Stanstead in 1646. . . . . . . . [3]
    2. Thomas Prentice who was baptized in Brent Eleigh on 16 Feb 1623 and married Mary by whom he had a son:
      1. Christopher Prentice, baptized on 8 Nov 1660 in Brent Eleigh.
    3. Mary Prentice who was baptized there on 21 Apr1628
    4. Stephen Prentice who was baptized there on 1 Jan 1630.
    5. William Prentice is almost certainly another son. He m. Elizabeth Goodfall on 18 May 1646 in Brent Eleigh and must then have moved elsewhere.
    6. John Prentice is another presumed son. He had a son
      1. Edward Prentice who was baptized in Brent Eleigh on 19 Mar 1648.

    3. Christopher Prentice, born c. 1620 and married Frances Johnson in Stanstead in 1646. Children:

    1. Alice Prentice, baptized 1646 in Great Waldingfield and married Joseph Pawsey in 1687 in Clare.
    2. Christopher Prentice, baptized 4 Aug 1650 in Brent Eleigh and married Elizabeth Smith in 1684 in Acton. . . . . . . . [4]
    3. Thomas Prentice, of whom nothing is known.

    4. Christopher Prentice, baptized 4 Aug 1650 in Brent Eleigh and married Elizabeth Smith in 1684 in Acton. Son:

    1. Christopher Prentice. We do not have a date of birth for him, but it was likely 1700-1710. . . . . . . . [5]

    5. Christopher Prentice, b. c. 1700-1710. He married Alice Death in 1733 in Long Melford, Suffolk, Son:

    1. Christopher Prentice. . . . . . . . . [6]

    6. Christopher Prentice, b. c. 1733-43. Farmer in Hawkedon with additional property in Lavenham. Registered in the Ipswich Poll Book of 1790 and so was quite well-to-do. He died in 1796 having m. Rachael Branwhite in 1763 in Lavenham. She d. in 1804, also leaving a will. For Branwhite Wills mentioning Christopher and Rachael, see Fn. 1. Children:

    1. Elizabeth Prentice, born c. 1764 and d. after 1839. She married Samuel Golding of Hawkedon and they lived in Lindsey.
    2. John Prentice, probably b. c. 1765-70. . . . . . . . [7]
    3. Ann Prentice who married John Deal or Dales in 1795 in Hawkedon
    4. Sarah Prentice who died in 1845 in Lindsey, unmarried
    5. Christopher Branwhite Prentice, Farmer in Colchester, Essex in 1839 then in Finchingfield in 1848. Died 1852 having m. Lucy who died in 1858. . . . . . . . . [8]
    6. Samuel Prentice who probably died in Colchester in 1852.

    7. John Prentice, probably b. c. 1765-70, was living in Hartest as a Gentleman in 1845 and probably died in 1851. Children:

    1. Samuel Prentice who was born in 1801 in Stowmarket and died a Gentleman of Mendham, Norfolk in 1879. . . . . . . . [9]
    2. Sarah Prentice.
    3. Elizabeth Prentice who did not marry and died in 1866 in Ipswich
    4. Ann Prentice who married Abraham Spencer of Clare at Hartest on 17 Feb 1836
    5. Rosetta Prentice.

    8. Christopher Branwhite Prentice, Farmer in Colchester, Essex in 1839 then in Finchingfield in 1848. Died 1852 having m. Lucy who died in 1858. She is likely the same Lucy Prentice, widow, b. c. 1783, who appears in the 1851 Sudbury, Essex census with children Christopher, Samuel and Mariah/Mary. Children:

    1. Christopher Branwhite Prentice, d. Sudbury district of Suffolk in 1846
    2. Mary Prentice.
    3. Lucy Poulton Prentice, b. in 1802 and died in 1867 in Lexden district.
    4. (perhaps) Poulton Prentice, b. c. 1806. He appears in the 1861 Lexden census living with some other children of that family and is called "Prutton Prentice".
    5. Mary Ann Prentice who was born in 1811 in Boxted and died unmarried on 19.1.1886 in Boxted.
    6. Catherine Prentice, b. in 1813 and died unmarried in 1883 in Boxted. She is probably the Catherine Prentice who appears in the 1861 Lexden, Essex, census living with siblings.
    7. Samuel Prentice, b. in 1815 and died in the Lexden district in 1873 without leaving a Will. He appears in the 1861 Lexden census living with some of his siblings.
    8. Rosetta Prentice who married John Silverstone on 11.6.1828 in Barrow where they lived. They had a daughter:
      1. Rosetta Prentice who married Walter Stevens.
    9. William Prentice who was born in 1819. He died in 1881 leaving a Will and was a Farmer of East Mersea, Essex. He was unmarried. He appears in the 1861 Lexden census living with some of his siblings.
    10. Charles Frederick Prentice who was born in 1824 and died in 1899, a farmer of 120 acres in East Mersea.
    11. Thomas Theophilus Prentice who was born in 1819 in Boxted and died in Sudbury in 1895, a Baker. . . . . . . . . . . . [10]
    12. Edward Poulton Prentice, b. 1826 and was also a farmer in East Mersea. He died there at his home in Shop Lane on 3 Aug 1909. Unmarried.
    13. Elizabeth Prentice.
    14. George Prentice who was born in 1830 and was a Rug Weaver in Ballingdon, Essex in 1881. He m. in 1858 in Sudbury. . . . . [11]

    9. Samuel Prentice who was born in 1801 in Stowmarket and died a Gentleman of Mendham, Norfolk in 1879. He married Jane who was b. Redenhall in 1821. Children:

    1. Charlotte Jane Prentice, b. c. 1851 in Chesterton, Cambridgeshire and married Alfred Suckling in 1878
    2. William Ambrose Prentice, born in Harleston in 1858 and married in 1891 in London. He was a Grocer in Mendham and seems to have died in Wellington in 1916.
    3. John George Prentice who was born in 1860 in Harleston and died in Norfolk in 1930.

    10. Thomas Theophilus Prentice was born in 1819 in Boxted and died in Sudbury in 1895, a Baker. He married Mary Ann Poulton in 1848. children were:

    1. Thomas Branwhite Prentice who was born in 1850 in Finchingfield. In 1881 he was a Hat maker in Ballingdon and died in Norfolk in 1907. He married Mary Ann in Sudbury in 1872; she died in 1931 in Norfolk. . . . . . . . . [12]
    2. Lucy Poulton Prentice who was born in 1852 in Finchingfield and died in 1935 in Sudbuy having never married.
    3. Christopher Poulton Prentice who was born in 1855 (though baptized in Sudbury on 31.10.1858). He became a Pork Butcher in Ballingdon by 1881. He married in 1882 and died in Sudbury in 1942. . . . . . . . . [13]
    4. George Harry Prentice, born in 1858 in Chappel (and baptized on the same day as his brother Christopher). Not recorded in the 1881 Census in Essex, Suffolk or Norfolk.
    5. Samuel Edward Prentice who was born in 1861 and baptized in Sudbury on 23.2.1862. He was a Mat Weaver in Ballingdon in 1881 but died in Sudbury in 1932 having never married.
    6. Laura Louisa Prentice who was born in Sudbury on 24 Nov 1861.

    11. George Prentice who was born in 1830 and was a Rug Weaver in Ballingdon, Essex in 1881. He married in 1858 in Sudbury. Children:

    1. Harry Branwhite Prentice who was born in 1860 in the Shoreditch area of London. He died the following year
    2. George Branwhite Prentice who was born in 1862 in Shoreditch. He died in 1871 in Hackney George Prentice who was born in 1873 in Ballingdon and died in Sudbury in 1948. He appears to have married in 1882 in Chelmsford, Essex.

    12. Thomas Branwhite Prentice who was born in 1850 in Finchingfield. In 1881 he was a Hat maker in Ballingdon and died in Norfolk in 1907. He married Mary Ann in Sudbury in 1872; she died in 1931 in Norfolk. Children:

    1. William Thomas Prentice who was born in Hadleigh, Essex in 1875 and probably died in Whitechapel, London in 1901
    2. Florence Prentice, born in 1879 in Sudbury and probably married in 1899 in Ipswich

    13. Christopher Poulton Prentice who was born in 1855 (though baptized in Sudbury on 31.10.1858). He became a Pork Butcher at 2 Ballingdon Street in Sudbury by 1871. He married Ellen Jane Moulton in 1882 and died in Sudbury in 1942. Children:

    1. Christopher Prentice, born in 1879 in Ipswich but died there in 1880.
    2. Thomas Christopher Prentice, b. 1888, Sudbury. . . . . . . [14]

    However, the 1891 and 1901 census for Sudbury dentifies Christoper, his wife, Jane, and a different group of children (and no other Christoper Prentice appears in Sudbury in those 2 census years):

    1. Ellen Prentice, b. c. 1884 and called Nellie in the 1901 census.
    2. Thomas Prentice, b. c. 1883
    3. Herbert Prentice, b. c. 1888, called Bertie in the 1901 census.
    4. Frederick Prentice, b. c. 1892

    14. Thomas Christopher Prentice, b. 1888, Sudbury. He was a Butcher in Bildeston and also an ice cream salesman. He worked on the "Peter's" ice cream stand in Christchurch park in Ipswich. He had 1 or more children, including:

    1. Charles William Frederick Prentice. . . . . . . . [15]
    2. Reginald "Reggie" Prentice.
    3. Edward "Ted" Prentice.
    4. Harry/Harold? Prentice.
    5. Oliver "Ollie/Twisty" Prentice.
    6. (maybe) Gordon Prentice

    15. Charles William Frederick Prentice. He m. Muriel Grace "Grace" Aldous on 5 Sep 1939. Charles is listed as being a Private with 1st Battn. Suffolk Regiment, residing at D.M.N Wing, A.F.V School, Bovington Camp, Wareham. Grace is listed as Domestic Servant, residing at 43, Anglesea Road, Ipswich. Children (per Amanda (Prentice) Bluett, email, 17 and 19 Jan 2005):

    1. Clive Prentice, adopted.
    2. Hazel Prentice.
    3. Heather Rose Prentice.
    4. Charles William Frederick Prentice. He m. Mary Eileen Taylor on 29 May 1976. Children:
      1. Amanda Jane Prentice (per Amanda (Prentice) Bluett, email, 19 Jan 2005)
      2. Angela Marie Prentice.
    5. Linda Prentice.
    6. Kathleen "Googy" Prentice.
    7. Nigel Prentice.
    8. Kenneth Prentice.
    9. Rita Prentice.
    10. Paul Prentice.
    11. Andrew Prentice

    If you have any information which can help us identify any of the folks mentioned
    above, please contact us at dewald@prenticenet.com..

    Fn. 1: Branwhite Wills:

    Bury St.Edmunds (Sudbury) 1773 Dalton V THOMAS BRANWHITE In the Name of God Amen. I Thomas Branwhite of Lavenham in the County of Suffolk Shoemaker being weak in Body but of sound mind & memory praised be God Do this fourteenth Day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy two make this my last Will and Testament in mannor and form following that is to say Item I give and devise unto Ann Branwhite the Daughter of my Brother John Branwhite and her Heirs for ever All that my messuage or Tenement wherein I now dwell situated in the Markett Place in Lavenham aforsaid with the outhouses yards gardens and appurtenances to the same belonging Upon Condition that she the said Ann Branwhite her Heirs Executors Administrators or Assigns shall and do well and trul pay or cause to be paid unto Sarah Branwhite her Sister her Heirs Executors Adminstrators or Assigns the sum of Thiry pounds of good and lawfull money of Great Britain within one year next after my Decease And it is my Will and Mind that in case she the said Ann Branwhite her Heirs Executors Administrators or Assigns shall refuse to pay her said Sister Sarah Branwhite her Heirs Executors Administrators or Assigns the said sum of Thirty pounds within one year next after my Decease That it shall and may be lawf ull to and for the said Sarah Branwhite her Heirs Executors Administrators or Assigns to enter upon the said premisses and to have hold and enjoy the same untill she or they shall be fully satisf yed and paid not only her said Legacy of Thirty pounds but also all such Charges as she or they shall be at in recovering the same

    Item I give and devise unto John Branwhite the son of my Brother John Branwhite and his Heirs for ever All my messuage or Tenement situated in the Markett Place of Lavenham aforesaid wherein Mary Golding now dwells Item I give and devise unto Christopher Prentice of Cockfield in the said County Farmer and his Heirs for ever All that my messuage or Tenement situated in Lavenharn aforesaid with the yards gardens and appurtenances as the same now are in the occupation of Jonathan Ranson He the said Christopher Prentice paying unto Timothy Haig my servant the sum of five pounds within one month next after my Decease And in case he the said Christopher Prentice refuse paying the said five pounds Then I give and devise the said messuage or tenement aforesaid unto the said Timothy King and his Heirs.

    Item I give and devise unto Robert Watson the Younger of Lavenham aforesaid and his Heirs for ever all that messuage or tenement wherein he now dwells Item I give and bequeath unto Michael Tatum of Groton in the said County Blacksmith the sum of twenty pounds and to Thomas Tatum and John Tatum the sum of thirty pounds apiece And I do hereby give and bequeath unto the children of Christopher Tatum the sum of five pounds apiece And I do hereby give and bequeath unto Crispiana Branwhite of the City of London the sum of ten pounds Item I give and bequeath unto Mary Woodgate the Wife of Samuel Woodgate of Lavenham aforesaid the sum of ten pounds And to Mary Golding of Lavenham aforesaid Widow the sum of Thirty pounds All with said legacies It is my will and Mind shall be paid by my Executors herein after named within six months next after my Decease

    And I do hereby nominate and appoint Philip Sturgeon and Thomas Hilbourne of Lavenham aforesaid Executors of this my last Will and Testament And do hereby give them six guineas apiece for their trouble in hopes they will divide the remainder of my personall estate between the Legatees above mentioned In Witness whereof I the Testator Thomas Branwhite have hereunto sett my Hand and Seal the Day and Year above written (Tho Branwhite) Signed sealed published and declared by the Testator Thomas Branwhite to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us John Burch, Ralph Westrop, John Syer Probate of this Will was made in Common form before John Davy Clerk Surr to John Gooch D D Com etc. 12 June 1773 by the Oaths of the Exetors to whom Admeon was granted being sworn etc. saving all right. Bury St.Edmunds (Sudbury) AB V111

    JOHN BRANWHITE OF LAVENHAM 1777 On the 13th day Admeon with the last Will and Testament annexed of the goods and chattels of John Branwhite late of Lavenham, Linen draper, deceased was granted to John Branwhite natural and lawful son and one of the next of kin of the said Deceased. Ellen Watson, wife of Robert Watson and Rachel Prentice the wife of Christopher Prentice two of the daughters residuary legatees and Executrixes named in the Will of the said Deceased havin they renounced & refused to take upon themselves or either of them upon herself the burden of the Execution of the said Will and Ann Branwhite & Sarah Branwhite, Spinsters, the other daughters residuary Legatees named in the Will of the Deceased having likewise individually renounced & refused to take upon themselves or either of them upon herself the admin. with the said Will annexed of the goods and effects of the said Deceased

    BRANWHITE PROBATE

    Rowland Branwhite of Melford 1802 CASE 11 entry 508 Rowland Branwhite of Long Melford 20 Nov. 1801 to wife Susan Branwhite all estate etc.

    Sarah Branwhite of Melford 1816 CASE V1 entry 307 Sarah Branwhite of Melford, widow Household goods sold by auction and money arising therefrom plus 30 pounds that I have put into the hands of John Golding of Colchester to be divided among my 4 children as follows Mary Branwhite, Ursula Branwhite, Sarah French, Dominic Baitolly Branwhite = share and share alike. Mr.Samuel French of Helford to be my Executor. Mark of Sarah Branwhite. Witnesses: John Golding, Margaret Aimiga Golding

    John Branwhite of Lavenham 1737 CLAGETT 1V entry 332 To his son William 100 pounds Daughters were ann & Elizabeth. Wife was Mary & brother was Roland

    Eleanor Branwhite of Lavenham 1777 DALTON V1 entry 168

    Eleanor Branwhite of Lavenham 1810 CASE V1 entry 491 Spinster Wearing appl & linen to the daughters of William Clarke of East Bergholt, schoolmaster, & John Dunningham of Ipswich Gentleman divided equally. I direct my brother Richard Branwhite of Lavenham, ironmonger & John Dunningham after the sale of my Copyhold and Heriditaments, lands, Tennements whereever situate. Thomas Branwhite & John Dunningham Also to Thomas Branwhite & John Dunningham sell all household goods etc. To Elizabeth Branwhite my Mother 1/5 part. To my sister Elizabeth Branwhite 1/5 part To my brother Thomas Branwhite 1/5 part To my brother John Branwhite Brother John shall not before the death have obtained his certification under a confession of Bankcrupt lately awarded his 1/5 to brother If brothers & sisters die before then, their children to inherit the approp shares 25 Nov 1801 Signed Eleanor Branwhite Testators. A Deaths, Thomas Osboin Probate 28 February 1810

    Ann Branwhite of Lavenhum 1821 CASE V11 entry 166 Spinster. To her nephews John Prentice of B---- in Suffolk, gentleman & Christopher Branwhite Prentice of Boxted

    Rebecca Branwhite of Lavenham 1829 CASE 10 entry 229 Rebecca Branwhite of Lavenham widow of Brook Branwhite yarnmaker refers to inventure (times 3) between Brook Branwhite, Richard Baton, Thomas Hammond of Newmarket grocer, and me Rebecca Branwhite then Rebecca Hammond one of the daughters of Thomas Hammond, survivor of Brook Branwhite; and son Brook Branwhite. Heriditment and premises in Prentice St Lavenham (house & outhouse yards garden apperteninie & 3 acres described as estate of the late Elizabeth Hovell widow occupier Thomas Hammond with yearly rent of 6/10 & were then in the occupation of Brook Branwhite, the Father to Brook Branwhite the younger

    Also mentioned in miscellanies documents: Index file cards , Record Office, Bury St Edmunds There was an Oliver Branwhite of Sudbury, a wine merchant in 1829 Brook Branwhite of Lavenham a woolcomber in 1775 Rowland Branwhite of Lavenham a maltser in 1729

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