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    James and Jerusha Prentice
    By Linus Joseph Dewald Jr., Editor
    Summer 1998 and Revised 18 May 2009

    1. James Prentice. We have have conflicting and unvarified birth dates for James:

    1. Kenneth Prentice indicates James was b. c. 1790[1]
    2. The IGI says he was b. 28 Feb 1785 but gives no source for such information.

    Kenneth Prentice says that James appars in the 1810 census in Augusta, Oneida, NY; in the 1820 census in Pomfret (Laona), Chautauqua, NY; and in the 1830 census in Pomfret (Laona), Chautauqua, NY.

      Note by Editor of 4 Jun 2000: In researching my email archives (32.89, 33/49, 38/63, 40/34, 44/28 and my earlier correspondence with Bonnie Prentice), so far as I can now determine, Bonnie Prentice, and perhaps Kenneth also, obtained that information in correspondence with a Mr. Wolf in in Kansas who said he obtained the information from "LDS records." Wolf, however, apparently didn't cite any specific LDS record, and I have not been able to locate any such record in my searching of the LDS IGI, the LDS Ancestral File, and the CT Barbour Index.

      Further, in correspondence with Kenneth Prentice, he says he found James Prentice in the "U. S. census records (for) Oneida Co., NY in 1810." I checked that census index, but found no listing for a James Prentice. There is, however, a listing for a "J. Prentice" which might also stand for "John Prentice" which was a name then about 4 times more common than "James Prentice." "J. Prentice" might also be "Jared Prentice", family size unknown, who lived in Augusta at some unknown date before 1826. The 1810 "J. Prentice" family was shown as 10101-2010, indicating a son and 2 daughters all under 10 in 1810.

      At this point, there is no firm documentation pertaining to James's date and place of birth, nor is there any documentation that he appears in the 1810 and 1820 census

    James lived in Pomfret at least until 1830 when his family appeared in the census. In late 1836 or early 1837 the family moved to Ross Twp., Lake County, IN. We have no death record for him, but he might have died about 1838 when there was a severe drought and many deaths in the community.

    He married Jerusha. The IGI says the marriage was on 10 Nov 1805 but does not cite the source of such information. Children:

    1. (omitted)
    2. Flora Prentice. Born, circa 1806 [2]. She married Daniel Lindsey, 26 Nov 1823, in Fredonia, NY. Not in 1850 or 1860 census.
    3. (dau.) Prentice. Born, circa 1808[2]. Died, before 1830 (?).
    4. Louisa May Prentice. Born 4 Jul 1813, NY. Died 8 May 1893 at Allen Co., KS. She m. Edmund Door Wolfe on 30 Dec 1838, Valparaiso, Porter Co., IN. For descendants, see our EDB database.
    5. Betsey Prentice. Born, circa 1816[3]. Died, before 1850 [2]. She married Lorenzo O. Beebe, 12 Mar 1837, in Ross Twp., Lake, IN[1]. Not in 1850, 1860 or 1880 census.
    6. Alfred James Prentice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [3]
    7. Catherine Prentice. Born, 8 May 1822, in Laona, Chautauqua, NY[4]. Died, 12 Mar 1892, in Michigan City, IN. Census: 1850, in Unk., Wyoming, NY. She married Warren Griffith, 11 Apr 1844, in Unk., LaPorte, IN[5]. Not in 1880 census.
    8. Martha E. Prentice. Born, circa 1825, in Laona, Chautauqua, NY[6]. Census: 1850, in Unk, Allegan, MI[7]. She married William H. Coney, 16 Nov 1851, in Unk., Allegan, MI.
    9. (dau) Prentice. Born, circa 1826, in Laona, Chautauqua, NY. Died, 31 Dec 1828, in Laona, Chautauqua, NY.

    2. (omitted)

    3. Alfred James Prentice, b. 19 Oct 1817, in Laone, Chautauqua, NY[9]. Died, 5 Oct 1856, in Wheeler Station, Porter, IN (drowned). Birth(2): 19 Oct 1819[10]. Census: 1850, in Unk., LaPorte, IN.

      Note: By E-mail of March, 1998 Bonny Prentiss, wife of Homer Prentiss (#7a1, below) expresses a belief that Alfred is the son of Nahum Prentice. However, she says her identification is based on logic and not on documentation from any original record. Nahum appears in the 1830 census but does not have a 13 year old son. The 1840 show a a Naham Prentis in Bertrand, Berrien Co., MI.
      - - - - - -
      Note: The following comes from Kenneth Richard Prentiss' book: The Prentiss Family in America 1620-1968. Compiled in 1968: Alfred purchased land from Elisha Arnold and his wife Phoebe on April 21, 1855-SE corner of W1/2 of SW1/4 of Section 35, Twp. 36N, Range 7W, square piece of property for $150 cash.

      Alfred James was said to have died from drowning and in his estate settlement held the land for auction December 1, 1856 appraised at $100. Alfred is buried in Robbins Cemetary on the gravel road N of Hwy. 6,W of Hwy. 149, Portage Twp., Porter County, Indiana. Edmund Dorr Wolf was the Administrator of Alfred James Prentice's Will. He was his brother-in-law, married to Alfred's sister Louisa May Prentice Beebe Wolf.

    Alfred married Hester Ann Hobaugh, 2 Jul 1847, in New Buffalo, Berrien, MI. Hester was b. 15 Nov 1826, in OH. Died, 22 Nov 1906, in Valparaiso, Porter, IN. Children:

    1. John Andrew[3] Prentice b. 18 Nov 1849, in LaPorte, LaPorte, IN. . . . . . . . [4]
    2. James Alfred Prentice b. 10 May 1853, in Valparaiso, Porter, IN. . . . . . . . [5]

    4. John Andrew Prentice, b. 18 Nov 1849, in LaPorte, LaPorte, IN[11]. Died, 26 Jun 1922, in Valparaiso, IN. Birth(2): 18 Nov 1849, in Michigan, LaPorte, IN.

    He married Electa Jane Skinner, 7 Oct 1874, in Valparaiso, Porter Co., IN[11]. Born, 23 Nov 1853, in Valparaiso, IN[11]. Died, 26 Mar 1932, in Valparaiso, IN. Ancestor charts for her can be found at Ancestry.com .Children:

    1. John Quincy [4] Prentiss. . . . . . . . [6]
    2. William Vincent Prentiss, b. 3 Mar 1877. . . . . . . [7]
    3. Sarah Elizabeth Prentice, b. 15 Feb 1880
    4. Kathryn G. Prentiss, b. 1 Apr 1882
    5. Henry/Herbert Hollister Prentiss. Born, 6 Apr 1884, in Valparaiso, Porter Co., IN [11], obtained his SS# in IN, and d. in Valparaiso in Jan 1973 per SSDI. He married (probably) Minnie Beach, 15 Oct 1907, in Porter, IN [12]. She was b. 18 Feb 1885, obtained her SS# in IN, and d. in Valparaiso in Oct 1980 per SSDI. She was the dau. of Eugene Beach and Christina Schneider. Ancestor Charts for her can be found at Ancestry.com . 1910 census in Washington, Porter Co., IN. 1920 and 1930 census in Morgan, Porter Co., IN. Children:
      1. Deforest/DeForest Prentiss, b. c. 1909. At home in 1910, 1920 and 1930. He might be the Deforest J. Prentice shown in the SSDI as b. 31 Jan 1912, obtained his SS# in CA, and d. 4 Jan 1992 in Cottonwood, Shasta Co., CA. Not in CA Death Index.
      2. Lois Prentiss, b. c. 1919, IN. At home in 1920 and 1930.
    6. Minerva Prentice, b. 17 Oct 1889
    7. Myron Alfred Prentice, b. 17 Oct 1889. 1930 census in Valparaiso, Porter Co., IN, with his wife, Edna, b. c. 1889. He is probably the Myron Prentiss shown in the SSDI as b. 17 Oct 1888, obtained his SS# in FL, and d. Nov 1971 in FL.
    8. Minnie Prentice, b. 1890
    9. Delbert Leroy Prentice. Born, 16 May 1890, in Valparaiso, Porter Co., IN[11]. Birth(2): 1 May 1891, in Valparaiso, Porter, IN[11]. He married Ruth May Kelly, 28 May 1928, in Valparaiso, Porter, IN [11]. Not in 1930 census. Not in SSDI.
    10. Albert Prentice, b. May 1891. Not in 1930 census.
    11. Walter James Prentice, b. 5 Jan 1893, obtained his SS# in IL, and d. Jan 1977 in FL per SSDI.
    12. Claude Mathew Prentice. Born, 19 Jul 1896, in Valparaiso, Porter Co., IN[11]. Birth(2): 17 Jul 1872, in Valparaiso, Porter, IN [11]. He may, or may not, be the same Claude Prentice shown in our Winter 2004 article about Claude Prentice of Merrillville, IN .

    5. James Alfred Prentice, b. 10 May 1853, in Valparaiso, Porter, IN[11]. Died, 2 Mar 1910, in Valparaiso, Porter, IN.

    He married Paulina Eliza Skinner, 15 Jul 1875, in Valparaiso, Porter, IN[11]. James does not appear in the 1880 census. Children:

    1. Alfred Prentice, b. Sep 1875. 1900 census in Porter Co., IN. Although additional investigation is needed for confirmation, he might be the Fred Printis shown in the 1920 census in Porter Co. as b. c. 1877, IN, living with his mother Pauline, b. c. 1856, IN, and son:
      1. Alfred Printis, b. c. 1912, IN.
    2. Hattie B./M. Prentice, b. Jun 1877, IN and in 1880 census in Porter Co., IN.
    3. Susan J. Prentice, b. May 1880 in IN and in 1900 in Porter Co., IN.
    4. Jeanette Prentice, b. Jan 1887 and in 1900 census in Porer Co., IN. Although additional investigation is needed for confirmation, she might be the same person as Ruth Janet Prentice shown in Ancestry.com whose parents are identified as James Alfred Prentice and Paulina Eliza Skinner. She m. Mr. Minger who was b. in VA (per 1930 census listing for his daughter, Maxine, below) and may be deceased by 1930 census where she is shown living in Chicago, IL, without her husband. Daughter:
      1. Maxine E. Minger, b. c. 1916, IN. She appears in the 1930 census living with her mother in Chicago, Cook Co., IL. She m. Mr. Lewis and had a son:
        1. Robert Lewis, probably b. aft. 1936. He m. Karla.
    5. James Prentice, b. Jul 1890 in IN and in 1900 and 1930 census in Porter Co., IN. He m. Anna and had:
      1. Bernard Prentice, b. 12 Mar 1914, McCool, IN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [5.1]
      2. Raymond Prentice, b. c. 1917. Not in SSDI.
      3. Lucille Prentice, b. c. 1918.
      4. Carroll Prentice, son, b. c. 1920. Not in SSDI.
      5. Patricia Prentiss. She m. Mr. Uttley per obit. of her brother, Bernard.
      6. Rita Prentiss. She m. Mr. Weideman per obit. of her brother, Bernard.
      7. Betty Prentiss. She m. Mr. Mackey per obit. of her brother, Bernard.
      8. Thomas Prentiss per obit. of his brother, Bernard.
    6. Hazzard[4] Prentice. Born, 11 Nov 1893, in Valparaiso, Porter, IN, and d. Mar 1981 in Chicago, Cook Co., IL (per SSDI). He appears in the 1930 census in Valparaiso, Porer Co., IN, with his wife, Edna
    7. John R/O Prentice, b. May 1896. He appears in the 1920 and 1930 census in Liberty, Porter Co., IN with his wife, Anna C., b. c. 1894-95, and children:
      1. Gail A. Prentice, b. c. 1917, IN.
      2. Elaine C. Prentice, b. c. 1918, IN.
      3. Warren F. Prentice, b. c. 1922, IN. Not in SSDI in 2005.
      4. Dorothy J. Prentice, b. c. 1923, IN.
      5. Ruth E. Prentice, b. c. 1926, IN.
      6. Arthur Prentice, b. c. 1929, IN. Not in SSDI in 2005.

    5.1 Bernard Prentice, b. 12 Mar 1914, McCool, IN, and d. 29 Dec 2007. His obituary of 10 Jan 2008 inThe Billings (MT) Outpost reads as follows:

      Bernard H. Prentiss, 93, a carpenter and millwright who was active in fraternal organizations, died Dec. 29, 2007. Born March 12, 1914, in McCool, Ind., he was the eldest of 11 children of Anna and James Prentiss. Much of his early childhood was spent with his maternal grandparents. He graduated from Chesterton High School and married Annabelle Hughes on July 29, 1937, in Bozeman.

      He was a chief petty officer of the Navy during World War II, stationed with a Seabee unit in Okinawa, Japan. He also worked as a civilian contractor during the Vietnam War.

      He was a member of the Al Bedoo Temple of the Oriental Shrine, Stillwater Masonic Lodge of Columbus 62, Moss Agate Chapter 126 of the Order of Eastern Star, the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 10. He held life memberships in Ashlar Masonic Lodge 29, the Billings Scottish Rite, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6774, and the International Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 1172.

      Survivors include a daughter, Valerie McNeill; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sisters, Patricia Uttley, Rita Weideman and Betty Mackey; and a brother, Thomas Prentiss.

      Donations may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, or any of his fraternal organizations. Services were on Jan. 5 at Cremation or Funeral Gallery.

    He m. Unknown. Children per obituary:

    1. Valerie Prentiss. She m. Mr. McNeill.

    6. John Quincy Prentiss, b. 26 Nov 1875, in Valparaiso, Porter, IN. Died, 26 May 1960, in LaPorte, IN.

    He married Florence Matilda Peterson, 3 Sep 1902, in Valparaiso, IN. Born, 5 Dec 1884, in Hebron, IN. Died, 8 Jun 1966, in LaPorte, IN. Children:

    1. Harold Butler Prentiss Sr., b. 19 Jun 1905 and d. 17 Feb 1996 in Newton, KS. He m. Bonnie Loraine Fisher on 25 Aug 1933, Valparaiso, Porter Co., IN. She was b. 19 Aug 1910 in Valparaiso, Porter Co., IN, and d. there on 2 Jul 1983. She was the dau. of Clarence Jacob Fisher and Anna Margaret Ohlfest. Children (per Ancestry.com):
      1. Harold Butler Prentiss Jr. He was b. 1 Jul 1936 in Valparaiso, IN. He m. 1st. Diana E. Dart. He m. 2nd Rose Elaine Caedo and they had 3 children:
        1. Pilar Lorraine Prentiss, b. 1975.
        2. Jennifer Prentiss, b. 1976.
        3. Sandra Prentiss, b. 1978.
      2. Jerry Edward Prentiss, b. 22 May 1942, Valparaise, IN. He m. Lilly New Ning on 26 Aug 1967, Valparaise, IN. She was b. 1943. They had 2 children.
        1. Philip Te Sheng Prentiss, b. 1970.
        2. Gale Prentiss, b. 1972.
    2. Kenneth Richard[5] Prentiss. Born, 21 Dec 1924, in Valparaiso, IN[13]. Died, 1995, in Salt Lake City, S.L., UT. He married Sarah Naomi Weller, 28 Nov 1986, in Salt Lake City, S.L., UT.

    7. William Vincent Prentiss, b. c. 1877 in Porter Co., IN, and d. 17 Oct 1940 in LaPorte, IN. It is said that his father, John, left him $25.00 of an extensive estate, so William changed his name from Prentice to Prentiss to indicate his displeasure.

    He married Izora McQuiston on 5 Oct 1898 in LaPorte, IN. She was b. c. 1877, IN (per Ancestry.com ). 1930 census in Jackson, Porter Co., IN. Children:

    1. Paul Amos Prentiss, b. 2 Jul 1900 in Valparaiso, IN, and d. 6 May 1992 in Charleston, SC. He m. Laccetta May Campbell on 23 May 1923. She was the dau. of William Homer Campbell and Margaret May Shaeffer of PA. Children:
      1. Paul Homer Prentiss, b. 30 May 1926, Gary, IN. He served in the Navy in the South Pacific in WW II. He m. Bonny Rose Oswalt in 5 Aug 1950, Lafayette, IN. She was b. 12 Jul 1927 in West Lafayette, IN. They have 2 sons and 3 daughters, including:
        1. Thomas Andrew Prentiss. He m. and had a son, Thomas Joel Prentiss.
      2. William Paul Prentiss, b. 1924.
      3. (dau.) Prentiss.
    2. Richard Prentiss, b. c. 1916, IN.
    3. Lorabelle Prentiss. Not at home in 1930 census. 
         	         NOTES AND REFERENCES

  [1] Kenneth Prentiss, 8 Mar 1995.
  [2] Kenneth Prentiss bk., pg. 5-A.
  [3] Kenneth Prentiss, 8 Mar 1995. Assumes age 21 at 1837 marriage.
  [4] Kenneth Prentiss Bk., pg. 5-B.
  [5] Kenneth Prentiss bk., pg.5-B.
  [6] Kenneth Prentiss bk., pg. 5-C.
  [7] Listed as servant in other household.
  [8] Bonny Prentiss thinks Alfred's father is Nahum Prentice, 244/26.
  [9] Kenneth Prentiss citing tombstone: 3 Mar 1994, 8 Mar 1994.
 [10] Date from marriage license.
 [11] IN IGI.
 [12] Marriage Index.
 [13] Sarah Prentiss, 27 Oct 1995.

    If you have any additional information about James and Jerusha Prentice, we would like to hear from you. You may contact us at dewald@prenticenet.com..

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