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    Ransom Prentiss of Canandaigua, NY
    By Linus Joseph Dewald Jr., Editor
    Winter 2008 and Revised 2 Nov 2008
    Introduction: We are helping Sandra Canterbury of Marietta, OH trace identify the parents and ancestry of her great-grandfather, Zachariah Ransom Prentice (his name may also be spelled Prentiss, but for convenience we will use the more typical spelling). Referencing our correspondence file (Pren40, pg. 102 et seq.) here is what we have so far:

    1. Ransom Prentiss was b. c. 1775 and d. 18 Oct 1846 in Canandaigua Co., NY, at the age of 71. He is buried in the Remington Cemetery in Canandaigua County. Ransom first appears in the 1810 Canandaigua census. Ransom had 1 or more children, including:

    1. Zachariah Ransom Prentiss, b. b. Dec 1815, perhaps near Canandaigua Twp., Ontario Co., NY. . . . [2]

    The 1850 census shows Betsey Prentiss, age 75, living in Canandaigua. With about the same birth date as Ransom. She might be Ransom's widow, or she might be a sister or sister-in-law.

    2. Zachariah Ransom Prentice, was born 23 Dec 1815, perhaps near Canandaigua Twp., Ontario Co., NY and died 11 Nov 1900, Fairlawn, Portage Twp, Summit Co., OH. By email of 25 Oct 2001, Susan Bos provides additional information about him. The Skagit County book at the Mount Vernon, WA, Library says that Zachariah was "of Akron, OH [and was] a man of influence in that part of the state, at one time owned farm land in the present city of Akron.

      Note: There has been a suggestion that perhaps Zachariah married, 1st, an unidentified wife. To date, there has not been any documentation presented showing such marriage (see Sandra Canterbury email of 16 Oct 2002). It has also been suggested that, if such marriage existed, there was at least one child::

      1. Clara Minerva "Minerva" Prentice, b. c. 1834, NY (per 1860 census in Manchester, Bennington Co., VT, and d. 1873 at the age of 39. She is reported to have m. a Robert Hutchinson (b. c. 1834, AL per 1860 census). The Skagit County book at the Mount Vernon, WA, Library contains the statement that Clara was the "niece of General Prentiss of historic memory." The reference is apparently to Civil War General Benjamin Mayberry Prentice. However there is no present evidence that the General ever had a brother named Zachariah. Perhaps the blood link is through her mother whose name is yet to be determined. Clara m. Robert Hutchinson and had:

        1. Estella Hutchinson, b. c. 1855, VT. At home in 1860 census in Manchester, Bennington Co., VT.
        2. Haley R. Hutchinson, b. c. 1859, VT. At home in 1860 census in Manchester, Bennington Co., VT. He m. Cozella Smith on 3 Oct 1880.

    Zachariah's 1st documented marriage is to Almira S. Hawkins on 18 Oct 1846, in Summit Co., OH. She was b. 22 Jul 1822 in Portage Twp, Summit Co., OH, and d. there 2 Feb 1865 at the age of 42 years. She was the dau. of John Emerson Hawkins (1780-1858) and Jemima Pratt (1785-1861).

    Census: 1850, in Portage, Summit, OH. (Note: The 1870 census in Portage calls his wife Augusta but he had remarried by then to his 2nd wife.) Children (for more information on them and their descendants, see our EDB):

    1. Perkins S. Prentiss, b. 12 July 1846 in Ohio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [3]
    2. Amelia Prentiss. Born, circa 1848, in OH. Census: 1850, in Portage, Summit, OH. . . . . . . [4]
    3. Ann/Anna Prentiss, b. c. 1849, in OH and she appears in the 1850 Portage, Summit Co., OH census. Living with the family of her sister, Amelia, in Independence, OH, in the 1880 census. She d. unmarried (per Sandra Canterbury).
    4. Eva Prentice, b. c. 1853, OH. At home in 1870 census.
    5. Charles Prentiss, b. Jun 1857 in OH. At home in 1870 census. Later, in the 1900 Summit Co., OH census with his wife, Barbara Beck, b. Jul 1862 in OH. She was the daughter of Catherine Beck, b. Oct 1827 in Germany, who was living with Charles' family at the time of the 1900 census. Their children, as shown in the 1900, 1910 and 1920 Summit County census are:

      1. Edna M. Prentiss, b. Jun 1891, OH. Her obit. in the Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Summit Co., OH, reads as follows (Mon. 3 Apr 1944, pg. 13, col. 7):

          Miss Edna Mabel Prentiss, 53 [b. c. 1891], died Sunday April 2nd at her home, 1774 Coventry st. She was a lifelong resident of Akron and a sister of Z. R. Prentiss, teacher at Hower Vocational school. Besides her brother, she leaves a sister, Miss Sadie Myrtle Prentiss. Funeral servies will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the home and burial will be in Mt. Peace cemetery. Rev. Andrew Abernathy will conduct services. For further information call the Adams Funeral Home.

      2. Sarah "Sadie" Mabel Prentiss, b. 5 Jul 1892, OH, and d. Feb 1971, Akron, Summit Co., OH, per SSDI. Living in 1944 and unmarried (per obit. of sister, Edna).

      3. Zacharias Ransom Prentiss, b. 1 May 1897, OH, and d. Jul 1978, Akron, Summit Co., OH, per SSDI. Not in 1920 census. He appears in the 1930 Akron census as "Z. Ransom Prentiss" with his wife and family. In 1944 he was a teacher at Hower Vocational school (per obit. of his sister, Edna)., He m. Esther, b. c. 1901. Children per 1930 census:

        1. Charles H. Prentiss, b. c. 1925. At home in Akron in 1930 census.
        2. Margaret L. Prentiss, b. c. 1928. At home in Akronin 1930 census.

    6. Ellen Prentice, b. c. 1859, OH. At home in 1870.
    7. Nettie Prentice, b. c. 1861, OH. At home in 1870.
    8. Addalin/Adeline Prentice, b. c. 1863, OH. At home in 1870.

    Zachariah's 2nd documented marriage is to Augusta Minerva Baird on 1 Jan 1869, in Summit, OH. She was b. Feb 1837 in OH and d. 11 Jan 1916, Summit Co., OH. She was the dau. of Royal D. Baird and Elizabeth Marie Caswell. Zachariah and Augusta appear in the 1900 census in Summit Co., OH. Children (for more information on them and their descendants, see our EDB):

    1. Burton "Burt" C. Prentiss. Born, 5 Feb 1874, in Portage, Summit, OH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [5]

    2. Hayes Hubert Prentiss, b. Aug 1877, Portage, Summit, OH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [6]

    3. Perkins S. Prentiss was born 12 Jul 1846 in Ohio. He died 11 Feb 1928 in Copley, Summit Co., OH and was buried in Copley Cemetery on 14 Feb 1928 (OH death cert. #12371; Akron Beacon Journal obit, 13 Feb 1928, p. 29, col. 7).

    Family tradition is that Perkins is named after Simon Perkins, one of the founders of Akron, an associate of Zachariah Ranson Prentiss. Perkins, at age 2, appears in in Zachariah's household 1850 Portage Summit Co. OH census. He is still there in the 1870 census. He is "of Copley" in Zachariah's obituary in 1900, and is also administrator of Zachariah's estate.

    Perkins m. Mary Ellen Hankey on 4 Feb 1872 in Summit Co., OH. She was b. 2 Feb 1852 at Wooster, Wayne Co., OH and was the daughter of Samuel Hankey and Anna M. Witmer, both b. PA. Mary Ellen died 10 Dec 1913 and is also buried in Copley Cemetery (OH death cert. #7222; Akron Beacon Journal obit, Dec 12, 1913, p. 24).

    Children of Perkins and Mary per Sandra Canterbury email of 16 Oct 2002:

    1. Milton Henry Prentiss, b. c. 1878. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [7]

    2. Bessie May Prentiss, b. 2 Nov 1881 (Summit Co. Births Index L-R, Vol. 2, page 54). At home, unmarried, with her father in the 1920 census in Copley, Summit Co., OH. Bessie m. 1st Mr. Leiby after 1920. Bessie appears as a widow in the 1930 census in Copley, Summit Co., OH, living with her aunt, Anna Prentis, b. c. 1852, OH. Daughter:
      1. Ardis Leiby, b. c. 1924, OH, and at home in Copley in 1930 census.
      Bessie m. 2nd George McCord of Columbus, OH.

    4. Amelia Prentiss was b. c. 1848, in OH. She appears in the 1850 census for Portage, Summit Co., OH. 1880 census in Independence, Cuyahoga Co., OH

    Sandra Canerbury's email of 11 Oct 2002 provides the following additional information.

    She m. Frank Gleason on 12 Mar 1871 in Summit Co., OH. He was b. c. 1849, OH, with both parents b. in OH. Amelia also appears in the 1870 census in Portage Twp., Smmmit Co., OH; her mother, Almira, has died and Zachariah has since remarried to Augusta Minerva Baird. Amelia's father's obituary in the Akron Beacon Journal of 14 Nov 1900 gives says she was then living in Independence OH.

    The final distribution of her father's estate (Summit Co. Wills & Estates, Vol 12, page 79, case #8362, Aug 21 1921 Final distribution) still Independence OH. Children of Amelia and Frank (per 1880 Independence, Cuyahoga Co., OH):

    1. Frederick Gleason, b. c. 1875, OH. 1880 census at home in Independence, Cuyahoga Co., OH..
    2. Charlotte Gleason, b. c. 1879, OH. 1880 census at home in Independence, Cuyahoga Co., OH..

    5. Burton "Burt" C. Prentiss. Born, 5 Feb 1874, in Portage, Summit, OH. Census: 1900, in Unk., Summit, OH. Census: 1920, in Unk., Summit, OH. In 1920 and 1930 census in Copley, Summit Co., OH with his wife and family.

    He m. Rhea C., b. c. 1904, PA, (Rhea was shown as a "Boarder" in the 1920 census in Burton's home, so they obviously later married) and children:

    1. Susan/Susie Prentice, b. c. 1923, OH.
    2. Robert C. Prentice, b. c. 1925, OH.
    3. Alice Prentice, b. c. 1926, OH.
    4. Ruth Prentice, b. c. 1928, OH.
    5. Louis Prentice, b. c. 1929, OH.

    6. Hayes Hubert Prentiss, b. Aug 1877, Portage, Summit, OH. 1920 and 1930 census in Copley, Summit Co., OH with his wife and family. (Ref: Ancestry.com )

    He m. 1st. Bertha L Evers. She was b. 1882, OH, and d. 29 Jan 1918, Summit Co., OH, age 36 years, perhaps in the great influenza epidemic. She was the dau. of Henry Evers (1836-1900) and Louise (1844-1819).

    By email of 2 Nov 2008, Amy Kuchlbauer-Zanke advises that her grandfather (Bertha's grandson) states that Bertha died of diabetes. Children of Hayes and Bertha:

    1. Mary Augusta Prentiss, b. 16 Jan 1903, OH, and d. Oct 1985, North Branch, Lapeer Co., MI. She m. Irvin P Myers (1901 – 1982). Children, with additional information at Ancestry.com :
      1. Barbara Myers
      2. Donna Myers
      3. Janet Myers
      4. Lee Myers
      5. Living Myers
      6. Living Myers
      7. Living Myers
      8. Living Myers
      9. Pauline Myers
      10. Waynard Paul Myers, 1924 – 1983
      11. Winifred A Myers,
      12. Norman Myers, 1935 – 1935
      13. Stanley P Myers, 1945 –

    2. Hazel D. Prentiss, b. c. 1906, OH.
    3. Earl R. Prentiss, b. 22 Nov 1907, OH, and d. 21 May 1983, Spencer, Medina Co., OH. Not home and not shown in 1930 census. He m. Mae.
    4. Carl H. Prentiss, b. 20 Sep 1914, OH, and d. 31 Dec 1976, Akiron, Summit Co., OH. At home in 1930. He m. Donna. She was b. 14 Dec 1913 and d. 9 May 1997, Akron, Summit Co., OH, per SSDI.

    He m. 2nd Helen/Helena L., b. 5 Jun 1900, OH, and d. 14 May 1986, Akron, Summit Co., OH, per SSDI. Children (per 1920 census):

    1. Mildred Prentiss, b. c. 1920.
    2. Lester H. Prentiss, b. 28 Jun 1923 and d. 3 Jul 1994, Stow, Summit Co., OH, per SSDI.
    3. Glenn R. Prentiss, b. 22 Oct 1926 and d. 28 May 1999, Akron, Summit Co., OH, per SSDI.

    7. Milton Henry Prentiss, b. 1873 in Munroe Falls and d. 15 Feb 1945. 1930 census in Akron, Summit Co., OH. His obit. reads as follows (per Sandra Canterbury, email, 16 Mar 2007):

      Thurs. 15 Feb 1945, pg. 23, col. 2:

      Milton Prentiss, Ex-Realtor, Dies. A retired Kenmore district real estate and insurance man and former Kenmore justice of the peace, Milton H. Prentiss, 72, died early today at his home, 98 Kenilworth dr., from a heart ailment. Retired for nine years, Mr. Prentiss had been ill two years.

      Born in Munroe Falls in 1873, Mr. Prentiss moved to Barberton in 1900 and opened the Barberton Feed store. In 1914, he and his brothers-in-law, John and William McCoy, organized the Kenmore Realty Co. He was active in his business for 22 years until his retirement. In 1924 he was appointed Kenmore justice of the peace and was active in civic affairs in that community.

      A member of the Kenmore Methodist church, Mr. Prentiss leaves his widow, Mary E., a son Jay Prentiss of Sharon Center; one daughter, Mrs. Earl C. Vandersall of Akron; a sister, Mrs. George McCord of Columbus, and three grandchildren. Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the Prentice funeral home in Kenmore district. Burial will be in Copley.

    He m. Mary E. McCoy on 2 Nov. 1881 (Summit Co. Marriage index 1898, no.10, page 241). Milton was the informant on his father's (Perkins) death certificate. The 1920 Kenmore Village, Summit Co., OH census shows she was b. c. 1879 in OH, and living in 1945. 1930 census in Akron, Summit Co., OH. Known children:

    1. Jay Manley Prentiss b. 13 Feb 1900 (Summit Co. Births Index L-R Vol. 4, page 205). 1930 census in Akron, Summit Co., OH. He d. 25 May 1977 Altoona, Lake Co., FL and was bur. 28 May 1977 Rose Hill Burial Park, Summit Co., OH (Akron Beacon Journal obit, 27 May 1977). Apparently widowed in the 1930 census, a young female is shown following his name, apparently his daughter:
      1. Virginia Prentiss, b. c. 1925, OH, with both parents b. in OH. At h ome in 1930.

    2. Ray Stanley Prentiss, b. 13 Feb 1900 (Summit Co. Births Index L-R Vol. 4, page 205). At home in 1930 census. He does not appear in the SSDI.

    3. (male) Prentiss, b. 20 Feb 1902 (Summit Co. Births Index L-R Vol. 4, page 205).

    4. Bessie May Prentiss, b. 4 Jan 1906 (Summit Co. Births Index L-R Vol. 4, page 209) and d. 30 Mar 1993 Akron, Summit Co., OH and is bur. at Rose Hill Burial Park (Akron Beacon Journal obit, 1 Apr 1993). She m. Earl C. Vandersall and lived in Akron (per obituary).

    Who are Ransom Prentiss' Parents?

    Ransom Prentiss might be a son of Samuel Prentice Sr. of Cooperstown. The towns of Geneva and Shortsville, about 5-10 miles from Canandaigua, have connections with Samuel; Samuel's son married at Shortsville and that son's daughter, Elizabeth, died at Geneva.

    There is also a chance Ransom is related in some manner to Zachariah Prentice (Binney96, pg. 418, #5v) and/or Christopher Prentice of Penfield (Binney96, pg. 453).

    Yet another possibility is that he is a son of Ozias Prentis (Binney96, pg. 419, #9); Ozias G. Prentice, likely his son, named a son Ransom L. Prentice which might have been after an older brother.

    Correspondence: If you have any information about the folks mentioned in this article, ancestors or descendants, 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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