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1. Unknown Prentiss was likely b. c. 1884 in MA (the 1930 census for his son, John, says that he was b. in CT) and d. before the 1910 census in North Canaan, Litchfield Co., CT,when his wife appears without him.

He m. Effie Cudney c. 1900 (the 1930 census says she first m. at age 16). She was b. 28 Fab 1884 in Sheffield, Berkshire Co., MA. he was the dau. of Stephen Cudney (b. 1846) and Emma Kilmer (1854-1914). In the 1910 census in North Canaan, Effie and her 2 sons are living with her parents, Stephen Cudney (b. c. 1846, NY) and Emma (b. c. 1856, CT). An Effie Prentiss does not appear in the 1920 or 1930 census but she apparently m. Ethol Clinton Gillette before 1920 as they appear in the 1920 census in Great Barrington, Berkshire Co., MA.

Note: The original census document shows her name as "Effie" although it is indexed as "Ellie." Also, Her son John Prentiss is identified in the original census document as " John Gillette."

Sons of Unknown and Effie:

1. Wesley P. Prentiss, b. 24 Aug 1903, CT, and d. 1986 in Great Barrington, Berkshire Co., MA. At home in 1910. Not in 1920 census. In the U.S. Directories for 1923 and 1929, he appears as Wesley T Prentiss who lives in South Berkshire, Ct., at 151 Maple St. He appears in the 1930 Great Barrington census as Wesley P. Gillette (erroneously indexed as Wesley C. Gillette). as b. c. 1904 (erroneously indexed as b. c. 1910). Shown also is his wife, Dorothea K., b. c. 1907. The Mass. Death index indicates Wesley T. Prentice d. 8 Mar 1986 in Great Barrington. Wesley T. Prentiss is shown as b. 24 Aug 1903 in CT.

2. John Prentiss, b. c. 1905, CT. At home in 1910. Not in 1920 census. He appears in the 1930 census in Great Barrington, Berkshire Co., MA as b. c. 1904, CT, living with his mother, Effie (Cudney, Prentiss) Gillette, and step father, Ethol Clinton Gillette (b. c. 1887, CT). At that time he is a tool maker in a bottle manufacturing company. 1940 census in Great Barrington, Berkshire Co., MA, shown as a milkman with 3 years of High School, and with his wife, Dorothy (b. c. 1913, MA) and with daughter:
   1. Almeda Prentiss, b. c. 1937, MA. 1940 at home in Great Barrington, MA.

   Effie is a sister to Bessie Cudney who m. James A. Prentiss who was b. Nov 1886, MA. James is #2iii in our Fall 1998 article entitled James H. Prentiss of Kennebunk, York, Maine .

   Who is (Unknown) Prentiss and who are his Parents?

   Since it is not unusual for sisters to marry brothers, and since Bessie Cudlow married. James Prentiss, one would suspect that Effie's husband may be an older, unknown, brother to James Prentiss.

   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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