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1. We start with uncertainty about his name and age. In the 1850 Brooklyn, NY census, he appears as a single person, John Prentice, age 24 and b. c. 1826 in CT. From the 1880 census we know that his mother and father were also born in CT.

He is probably the same person who appears in the 1870 Brooklyn, NY census as John T. Prentiss (note the different surname spelling) which says he was a Sea Captain, age 40, and b. c. 1830 in CT. However, the 1880 Brooklyn census calls him John D. Prentiss and apparently gives his age as 60, indicating a birth yoar of c. 1820 in CT. His 1880 occupation is given as " Captain W. S.S. Fern."

John is likely the same person as John T. Prentis, age 75 and b. Aug 1824, CT shown by the 1900 NY, Richmond Co., NY census as living at Sailor's Snug Harbor apart from his family.

He married Catharine R. Cornell, b. c. 1834-1836 in NY. Living in their household in the 1880 census is her mother, Catherine (b. c. 1810, NY), and brothers, Alexander (b. c. 1836, NY) and John F. D. Cornell (b. c. 1830, NY). An Ancestor Chart for Catharine can be found at Ancestry.com . Children of John and Catharine:

1. John R. Prentiss, b. Jun 1867, NY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [2]
2. Charles C. Prentiss, b. Dec 1870, NY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .[3]
3. Catherine R. Prentiss, b. Sep 1873, NY. Living with her brother, John in 1900.

2. John R. Prentiss, b. Jun 1867, NY. He appears in the 1900 NYC, Kings Co., NY census with his sister, Catherine, uncle Alexander Cornell, and Adelade Charturs, b. Jun 1863, a cousin. John later appears in the 1920 Hartford, Hartford Co., CT census with his wife.

He m. Eveline/Evelina E. Cassidy, b. c. 1871, Cuba,. Eveline's surname is provided by Matt Prentiss, below, but that may not be her birth surname and might be the name of a prior husband. Children:

1. Amy (Cassidy) Prentiss, stepdaughter, b. c. 1896, CT.
2. Ansel (Cassidy) Prentiss, stepson, b. 4 Sep 1899, CT. . . . . . . [4]
3. Lona Prentiss, b. c. 1909, CT.
4. Catherine Prentiss, b. c. 1911, CT.

3. Charles C. Prentiss, b. Dec 1870, NY. He appears in the 1900 and 1920 Hartford, CT census (called "Dr.) with his wife, Harriett R., b. Dec 1870, CT. Children:

1. Ruth R. Prentiss, b Jan 1897, CT. She m. Mr. Brown.
2. Isabel H. Prentiss, b. c. 1903, CT.
3. Barbara C. Prentice, b. c. 1911, CT.

Both Isabel and Barbara are surnamed "Brown" in our copy of the 1920 census, but that seems to be an error since they are also identified as Charles' daughters.

4. Ansel (Cassidy) Prentiss, Stepson, b. 4 Sep 1899, CT and d. Nov 1969, Hartford (per IGI and SSDI). Ansel does not appear in the IGI under either surname. By email of 1 Oct 2003, Matt Prentiss provides the information that he had 1 or more children, including:

1. Granville Irving Prentiss b. c. 1934, Hartford, CT and d. there 1981.
   1. Matt Prentiss.

With 2 different surname spellings (Prentice and Prentiss), so many different potential birth years to work from (1920, 1926, 1930) and different initials (D., T.) it is difficult to trace his roots

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