By Linus Joseph Dewald Jr., Editor
Fall 1998 and Revised: 13 Dec 2014
Update of 14 Nov 2014: This article is now replaced by our Summer 2009 article entitled "Henry Prentice of Paris, Oxford Co., Maine".
1. James Henry Prentiss. There is some uncertainty as to his date and place of birth:
- He is likely the James Prentiss in the 1840 Kenebunk, York Co., ME, census with a wife and a son and dau., both under 5.
- He does not appear in the 1850 census.
- The 1860 Maine state census shows him in Kennebunk, York Co., ME, but no age given.
- The 1860 U.S. Kennebunk, York Co., ME, census says he was b. c. 1815 in Kennebunk, York Co., ME; Ship Joiner, age 45..
- The 1870 Kennebunk, York Co., ME, census says he was b. c. 1815 in MA, Ship Carpenter.
- The 1880 Kennebunk, York Co., ME, census says he was b. c. 1816 in MA, Ships Carpenter, with both parents b in MA.
- Note: An unknown source indicates that James was b. 3 Aug 1813 in Boston, MA
and d. 2 Dec 1891 which seems consistent with the 1870 and 1880 census, but no source document
has been identified. The 1890 Boston, MA, Directory shows James, age 75, living at 96, Chelsea, E.B.,
and a ship joiner.
He may be the James Prentis, age 20-30 and b. 1910-1920, who appears in the 1840 census in Kennebunk, York Co., ME, with a very young son and daughter.
He married, first, Christina Thompson on Nov 6,1836 who died 19 Sep 1846.Children:
- George H. Prentiss, b. 1837, ME(?) and d. 21 Oct 1873. Not home in 1860 census.
- Emily B. Prentiss, b. 1839, ME(?). Not home in 1860 census.
- Adelaide "Ada" C. Prentiss, b. 1844, MA per 1860 census. She m. Daniel C. Bryant, probably about 1864-1865
based on the c. 1866 birth of her son, Raymond. She is probably the Ada Bryant, b. c. 1845-6, ME,
who appears in the 1880 Boston, Suffolk Co., MA census with her husband, Daniel C. Bryant, b. c. 1838, ME,
Carpenter, and children:
- Raymond Brant, b. c. 1866, MA.
- Ann Bryant, b. c. 1868, MA.
- Frank H. Prentiss, b. 1848, ME, per 1860 census. At home in 1860. Not in 1880 census.
- William "Willey" C. Prentiss, b. 1851, ME. At home in 1860 census. William was in a car accident and did painting and decorating
- James Lyon Prentiss, b. Sep 1857. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [2]
2. James Lyon Prentiss , was b. Sep 1857 in Maine and d. Apr 1940, age 83 years.
At home in 1860 and 1870 in Kennebunk, York Co., ME. He appears in the 1880 and 1890 Boston, MA census. The 1900 Boston census incorrectly indexes him as Lavera L. Prentiss because of illegible handwriting. The 1884 Chelsea area Directory in North Boston shows him working as a telephone lineman, living at 84 Division Street. The 1890-1892 Chelsea Directory shows him living at 149 Cherry Street. By the time of the 1910 census, James had moved to Rockville, Tolland, CT (probably before 1905; see his son, James, below) where he appears in the 1920 census.
He m., 1st, Elizabeth Young. Children:
- Lucy Prentiss, b. c. 1878, ME. 1880 census at home in Boston. Lucy married William Ellis and had a daughter, Grace Ellis. Lived in Rockville Center, CT.
- Melville Clark Prentiss, b. 3 Nov 1880, Chelsea, MA.. 1920 census a boarder living in Kennebunk, ME, age 20. He is shown living with his brother, James, in the 1920 Berkshire Co., MA census. His enlistment for WWI shows he is living in North Plain, Great Barrington Ma., working as a laborer on the farm. He is 37yrs. For reference to someone who will always know his address, he writes in his brother James A Prentiss. In the 1930 census he is living alone in West Stockbridge. He is 49 years of age. In the WWII enlistment (1942), he still lives in Great Barrington and is now 61yrs. He is living in West Stockbridge and uses for a name that will always know him: Herbert Anderson.
- James A. Prentiss, b. Nov 1886, MA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [3]
- Edwin K. Prentiss, b. 25 Feb 1888, MA, and d. Jan 1970 in West Springfield,
Hampden Co., MA. At home in the 1920 census in Rockville, Tolland Co. CT. He appears
in the 1920 and 1930 census in Springfield, Hampden Co., MA, with his wife and daughter.
He m. Sadie L., b. 8 Mar 1893, NY and d. Jul 1977
in West Springfield, Hampden Co., MA, (per SSDI). with both parents b. in MA.
Daughter per 1930 census:
- Ellyn M. Prentiss, b. c. 1925, Springfield At home in 1930.
- Ernest F. Prentiss, b. Jan 1891, MA. Ernest appears in the 1920 Rockville, Tolland, CT census
with his wife, Emma Hunker, b. c. 1895, Canaan, Litchfield Co. CT, or c. 1897, MA.
Died 13 Sep 1965, Winsted, Litchfield Co., CT. Divorced before 1930 census. Not in SSDI.
Emma appears as divorced in the 1940 census in Winsted, Litchfield Co., CT as
a Housekeeper with a 7th grade education. Children:
- Ellen K. Prentiss, b. c. 1916, MA.
- Roy A. Prentiss, b. c. 1919, CT, and d. Apr 1979. Bur. in Tolland, CT, cemetery.
He is probably the Roy Prentiss, a Military Policeman,
who shot Lloyd Knapp on 6 Apr 1943 at Camp Hood, Texas. By E-mail of 13 Jul 1999,
George Murphy relates that Prentiss' mother lived on 93 Elm Street, Winstead,
Conn.
On the night of the murder, Prentiss was in a truck with Lloyd and the truck driver when Prentiss shot Lloyd, threatened to shoot the driver, then turned the gun on himself, shooting himself in the head. For several weeks he lay near death in a hospital, but recovered, and went to trial. Newspaper accounts of the shooting relate that Prentiss, a former Rockville boy, was found guilty of murder by an Army court martial and was sentenced to hang. His mother appealed to FDR for a reprieve which, according to an AP report of 7 Sep 19?? was granted in that President Roosevile commuted to life imprisonment the death sentence of Pvt. Roy A. Prentiss of Winsted, who was convicted of the fatal shooting on April 4 of Corp. Lloyd W. Knapp, 23, of Norwalk, a sentry at Camp Hood, Tex. The life sentence was later reduced by various clemency actions to fifteen and one-half years. A published court proceeding relating to his conviction can be found in Appendix 1 .
- Kenneth Prentiss, stationed at Camp Breckenridge in Kentucky during WW II (per George Murphy, referencing newspaper account).
- Lawrence Prentice, b. c. 1924, CT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [2.1]
Ernest apparently again married Mildred, b. c. 1909, Ct. They appear in the 1940 census in Vernon, Tolland Co., CT, with their daughter:
- Joyce Prentiss, b. c. 1929, NY. 1940 at h ome in Vernon, Tolland Co., CT.
James Lyon Prentiss married, 2nd, Jenny Ellis who was b. 21 Jun 1878, MA. James, b. 1858, was 21 years older then Janny at the time of their marriage. They appear in the 1900 census in Boston, Suffolk Co., MA. James Dennis Kelley's email of 2 Sep 2010 indicates that Jenny may have been a native American. It reads, in part, as follows:
- "Finding your site was part of my multi-year hunt to follow stories of my
Grandmother Hazel's Native American Grandmother. My Grandmother also had vast knowlege
of Iroqoian/Mahican culture and unquestionably until her death
at age 100 yrs. held that she was "Indian inside". I am seeeking the history of Jennie Ellis. her mother,
to learn more about specifics, ie: tribe, clan, location, her parents, etc., but have found no trail as
fear, if she was of the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohawk tribe as family geography and timing
would suggest, she was a daughter left behind to marry a white man when the
bulk of the tribe accepted the invitation or order to move West to Wisconsin."
Children of James and Jenny:
- Hazel C. Prentiss, b. c. 1905, CT and appears at home in the 1920 Rockville,
Tolland, CT census. She m. James Joseph Kelley on 30 Jun 1924. Childen:
- Cyril James Kelley, b. 3 Nov 1927.
- James Joseph Kelley Jr,. b. 18 Jan 1929, and d. 11 Dec 2002. He m. Mary Ann Gizzi and had 2 children
per James Kelley, email, 2 Sep 2010:
- Theresa Kelley. She m. Mr. McSharar.
- James Dennis Kelley, b. 13 Oct 1957, Delmar, NY.
- Lionel Basil Kelley b. 8 Mar 1933. Lionel married Edith Gingras and their childs name is Rosanna Kelley.
- Douglas Answorth Kelley b. 21 Sep (1934?). Douglas received a musical award at Ellington Center School.
- Elaine Lois Kelley b. 31 Oct 1936. Elaine married Norman Gaertner and their children are James and Christina
- Elmer W. C. Prentiss, b. 9 Nov 1912, CT, and d. Apr 1981, Tolland, Tolland Co., CT (per SSDI).
He appears at home in the 1920 Rockville, Tolland, CT census. He is probably the Elmer Prentiss
shown in the SSDI as b. 9 Nov 1912 and d. Apr 1981, Tolland, Tolland Co., CT.
He m. Esther Pivarzuk. She was b. c. 1918, Tolland, CT, and d. 24 Jun 2002 at the Rockville, Ct,
General Hospital. Esther was the daughter of the late Nicholas Piarzuk
and Mary Shelewa, Her obituary reads as follows:
- PRENTISS, ESTHER (PIVARZUK): Newspaper Obituary and Death Notice,
Hartford Courant, The (CT) - Tuesday, June 25, 2002.
Esther (Pivarzuk) Prentiss, 84, of Tolland, widow of Elmer Prentiss, died Monday, (June 24, 2002) at Rockville General Hospital. She was born in Tolland, daughter of the late Nicholas and Mary (Shelewa) Pivarzuk, and was a lifelong Tolland resident.
She was a communicant of St. Matthew's Church, a member of the Tolland Historical Society and the Tolland Senior Citizens.
Esther is survived by her sisters, Helen LaBonte, Stella Pivarzuk, both of Tolland; several nieces and nephews, among them Roger Javarauckas and his wife, Fran, Francis LaBonte and his wife, Mary; a brother-in-law, Walter Ferris of Old Lyme. She was predeceased by her sisters, Anne Kulich, Mary Ferris, Catherine Javarauckas, Sophie Pivarzuk, Jennie Pivarzuk.
The family would like to give special thanks to neighbors and friends for their acts of kindness. Funeral services will be Thursday, 9 a.m. from the Tolland Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Merrow Road, (rte. 195) Tolland, with a Mass of Christian Burial, 10 a.m. at St. Matthew's Church, Tolland. Burial will be in South Cemetery, Tolland. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday, from 6-8 p.m.
- Milton L. Prentiss, b.19 Mar 1915, CT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [4]
2.1 Lawrence Prentice, b. c. 1924, CTand d. 1981, CT, per the SSDI. 1940 living with his mother in Winsted, CT.
He m. Joan A, b. c. 1935 and d. 20 Jan 2010, Putnam, CT. Her obituary reads as follows:
- Joan A. Prentiss: Newspaper Obituary and Death Notice, Norwich Bulletin (CT) - Thursday,
January 21, 2010.
PUTNAM Joan A. Prentiss, 75, formerly of N. Grosvenordale, died Wednesday, January 20, 2010. She was the loving wife of the late Laurence F. Prentiss, Sr.
She is survived by her sons, Laurence F. Prentiss, Jr. of Coventry, CT, and Sean A. Prentiss of N. Grosvenordale; her daughters, Maureen Demarais of Thompson, Michelle J. Clark of Worcester, Lori L. Gaumond of Dayville, Shannon Gaugh of Dayville, and Toni Prentiss of Webster; her sister Geraldine Choquette of Webster, MA; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Joan's family from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, Saturday, January 23, 2010 in the Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale CT, followed by a Funeral Services at 10:00 am in the funeral home. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Children of Laurence and Joan:
- Laurence F. Prentiss, Jr. of Coventry, CT.
- Sean A. Prentiss of N. Grosvenordale, CT.
- Maureen Prentiss. She m. Mr. Demarais of Thompson, CT.
- Michelle J. Prentiss. She m. Mr. Clark of Worcester, CT.
- Lori L. Prentiss. She m. Mr. Gaumond of Dayville, CT.
- Shannon Prentiss. She m. Mr. Gaugh of Dayville, CT.
- Toni Prentiss of Webster .
3. James A. Prentiss, b. Nov 1886, MA, and d. 1952 in Pittsfield, MA. 1900 census at home in Boston, incorrectly indexed as b. Nov 1896. He is shown in the 1930 Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., MA census as a machinist with his wife, Bessie Cudney, b. c. 1887, CT (dau. of Stephen and Emma Cudney of North Canaan, CT), and their children. His obituary reads as follows:
- James A. Prentiss, 63, of Hayes Place died Saturday at the Pittsfield General Hospital
where had been a patient three days. A native of Chelsea, he had lived in Pittsfield 25 years
and for a time was employed by the Prudential Life Insurance Company and subsequently
by the Berkshire Woolen Company. He was a member of the South Congregational Church
and belonged to the Masons. He was also a member of the TextileWorkers Union. Survivors
are his widown, the former Bessie Cudney, two sons, James I and Howard F., all of this city,
a brother, Edwin K. of Springfield, and a sister, Mrs. William Ellis of Rockville Center, Conn.;
six grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
He m. Bessie Cudney. The 1956 Pittsfield Directory shows the widow Bessie (Cudney) Prentiss living at 36 Pleasure Street. In 1961 she lived at 68 Reuter Avenue.
Children of James and Bessie:
- Luella Prentiss, b. c. 1905, CT. 1910 census at home in West Stockbridge, Berkshire Co., MA.
- James Ivan Prentiss, b. 23 May 1906, Canaan, CT, and d. 1 Dec 1986, Pittsfield, MA.
1910 census at home in West Stockbridge, Berkshire Co., MA. In 1925 moved to Pittsfield. He began
working at the Berkshire Home Bakery and was living at 309 West Street with his parents.
1926-1930 he worked at the Morningside Bakery, still living at 309 West St.
1935 -1939 he still worked at the Morningside Bakery, still living with parents who were then living at
60 Center Street, Pittsfield (per Fred Printiss, email, 23 Feb 2008 and 31 Jul 2010)
They later moved to 88 Hungerford St., Pittsfield In the 1956 Pittsfield Directory
he was "a baker, Mohican Stores, home 50 Hungerford." By 1960 Doris had been
promoted to "sales mgr., Federal Bake Shop Inc., 50 Hungerford."
He m. Doris Cecelia Gilbert. She was b. 6 Feb 1918, Pittsfield, MA, and d. 10 Oct 2006, Pittsfield. She was the dau. of Louis (b. MA)and Rosie Gilbert (b. Canada) of Canada who were m. 1912. James and Doris had 4 children per Robert Gilbert Prentiss, email of 30 Jul 2010:
- Robert Gilbert Prentiss, b. 23 Mar 1936, Hillcrest Hosp., Pittsfield. . . . . . . . [3.1]
- Elaine D. Prentiss. The 1961 Pittsfield Directory shows here in 1961 living at 50 Hungerford and employed at Berkshire Gas Co. She m. Peter Marchand and lives in Pittsfield, MA..
- Jean Prentiss. The 1961 Pittsfield Directory shows her as a student, living at 50 Hungerford. She m. James Munn and lives in Dalton, MA.
- Gary James Prentiss, b. 27 Oct 1940, Pittsfield, and d.3 months later on 18 Jan 1941, Pittsfield.
- Howard O. Prentiss, b. 11 Oct 1908, MA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [5]
- Howard Franklin Prentiss, b. c. 1909, MA. See Franklin Howard Prentiss, next entry.
- Franklin Howard Prentiss, b. c. 1909, MA. He has also been called Howard Franklin Prentiss, causing
some confusion with his brother, #2(iii)(c) above, named Howard O. Prentiss. To avoid that confusion
we shall refer to him as Franklin
About 1926, at age 17, he was living at 309 West St., Pittsfield, and was employed by Gamwell Co. and was living at 309 West Street. His father, James, was then living at the same address and was employed at Prudential Life Insurance Company. Also in Pittsfield at that time was his uncle, James Ivan Prentiss (#2iii(b), who was employed at the Berkshire home bakery and living with Howard and James.
Franklin m. Shirley M. Brown of Pittsfield on 21 Nov 1935 by W. Bunker-minister-Pittsfield. Fred Printiss' email of 23 Feb 2008 related that Pittsfield marriage records show Howard as living at 60 Center Street age 27 yrs (1st marriage), born W Stockbridge, working as a spinner, son of James and Bessie Cudney (Mass), In 1936 Franklin began living at 39 Harris Street. In 1956 he was employed by "B. W. Co., home 64 Birch Grove Drive" and Shirley as "ex sec, Pittsfield Com., Music School. Home same as above."
Franklin and Shirley had 1 or more children, including:
- Carol Ann Prentiss, b. 4 Nov 1936, Pittsfield (per Fred Printiss, above). In 1956 she was employed as"office asst., Herbert Sandick, room 64 Birch Drive, Pittsfield."
3.1 Robert Gilbert Prentiss, b. 23 Mar 1936, Hillcrest Hosp., Pittsfield. By email of 30 Jul 2010 he provides the following additional information about himself and his family:
- "I served 10 years in the New York State Assembly (1995-2004) representing Albany
Saratoga Counties, 19 years as an Albany County Legislator and 4 years as a
Councilman-at-large in my hometown of Pittsfield, Mass. My wife, the former
Marlene Windelspecht of Albany, and I have been married 41 years. She also served
as an Albany County Legislator 8 years. We now live at 191 Helderberg Parkway in
Voorheesville, N.Y., where we own our own business, Prentiss Antiques. We have
one son, Roger Gilbert Prentiss, of Colonie, N.Y. (his son is Dylan Prentiss),
and one daughter, Lisa Prentiss who has a son, Donald Prentiss. She later
m. Leonard Galasso, and by that marriage have a son, Anthony Galasso,
and daughter, Adriana Galasso."
He m. Marlene Windelspecht of Albany c. 1969. She was b. 29 Sep 1936 and d. 9 Aug 2010. Her obituary reads as follows:
- Times Union, The (Albany, NY) - Monday, August 16, 2010
Prentiss, Marlene Windelspecht, VOORHEESVILLE, N.Y. Marlene Windelspecht Prentiss, 73, of Helderberg Pkwy., Voorheesville, formerly of Colonie, died August 9, 2010 at Kingston (N.Y.) Hospital after many years of battling lupus and suffering from a leg amputation and two recent brain aneurysm operations. She was born September 29, 1936, the daughter of the late Marvin and Ruth (Scrafford) Windelspecht of Colonie where she had lived all of her life on McNutt Avenue until moving to Voorheesville in 2008.
She served as an Albany County legislator representing Colonie eight years (2000-2007); was co-owner and co-manager with her husband of three Snelling & Snelling employment agencies in Colonie and Troy for 25 years; graduated from Colonie High School in 1955; and belonged to the Fuller Road Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, Weininger VFW Post 8692 Auxiliary, Colonie Kiwanis Club, and Roessleville School Alumni Association. In Voorheesville, she was an active member of the New Scotland Kiwanis Club; belonged to the New Scotland Historical Society, the Helderberg Garden Club, and Friends of the Voorheesville Library; and was a parishioner at St. Matthew's Church. She enjoyed gardening, her black lab Shadow, and her camp on Harrisburg Lake in the Adirondacks.
Marlene is survived by her husband of 42 years, Robert G. Prentiss, former State Assemblyman; their children, Lisa Galasso (Leonard) of Cohoes and Roger Prentiss of Colonie; and four grandchildren: Adriana, Anthony, Donald and Dylan. She was predeceased by a sister, Jean.
Marlene's funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at St. Matthew's Church, Mountainview St., Voorheesville. Burial will be in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in Colonie. Calling hours will be Monday from 4 - 8 p.m. at the Reilly & Son Funeral Home, 1200 Central Ave., Colonie. Memorial contributions may be made either to the Lupus Alliance of America, Upstate NY Affiliate, 3871 Harlem Road, Cheektowaga, NY 14215 or the Voorheesville Community School Foundation, P.O. Box 523, Voorheesville, NY 12186 for a grant in her name.
Children of Robert and Marlene:
- Roger Gilbert Prentiss of Colonie, N.Y. Son:
- Dylan Prentiss.
- Lisa Prentiss. Son:
- Donald Prentiss
Lisa then m. Leonard Galasso. Children:
- Anthony Galasso.
- Adriana Galasso
4. Milton L. Prentiss, was b. 9 Mar 1915, CT, and d. Jan 1980, Allentown, Lehigh Co., PA (per SSDI). At home in 1920 and 1930, CT and appears in the 1920 Rockville, Tolland, CT census. He is likely the Milton Prentiss shown in the SSDI as b. 9 Mar 1915 and d. Jan 1980 in Allentown, Lehigh Co., PA.
He married Evelyn Georgianna Furness on 2 Sep 1936 at St. Edwards Rectory, Stafford Springs, Tolland, CT. Evelyn was born on 28 Jul 1916. For her English ancestry, see Laurie Cordano's E-mail of 15 Sep 1999. Children:
- Georgianna Jane Prentiss, b. 29 May 1937. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [8]
- Patricia Elizabeth Prentiss, b. 1 Sep 1939. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [9]
- Virginia Nancy Prentiss, 9 Jul 1940. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .[10]
- James Joseph Prentiss, b. 24 Oct 1941. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [11]
- Howard Lee Prentiss, 13 Jan 1944. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [12]
- Charles Arthur Prentiss, b. 5 Mar 1945.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [13]
- Samuel Lawerence Prentiss, b. 22 Apr 1946. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .[14]
- William Forrest Prentiss, b. 18 Feb 1948. He m. Donna M. Smith
in 1948. Children:
- William Prentiss, b. 19 Feb 1969
- Nancy Prentiss, b. 7 May 1971
- Marshall Prentiss, b. 21 Mar 1982
- Albert Francis Prentiss, b. 13 Jun 1949. He married Diane Putz in 1973/
Children:
- Scott Prentiss, b. 23 Aug 1979
- Brian Prentiss, b. 9 Mar 1983
- Barry Eugene Prentiss, b. 15 Aug 1950. He m. Ann Marie Gonthier
in 1973. Children:
- Selena Prentiss, b. 13 Oct 1974
- Barry Eugene Prentiss Jr., b. 5 Jul 1976.
- Nona Fay Prentiss, b. 12 Dec 1951. She m. David Perreira in 1972. Children:
- Sabrina Perreira.
- John Tennant, b. 15 Oct 1980
- Mathew Tennant, b. 27 Aug 8-27-1983 0l>
5 Harold Orlean Prentiss. 1910 census, shown as b. c. 1909, at home in West Stockbridge, Berkshire Co., MA. He is tentatively identified as the Howard Prentiss shown in the SSDI as b. 11 Oct 1908, and d. 1979 in Richmond, Berkshire Co., MA. Not in 1920 or 1930 census.
He m. Dorothy Virginia. She was living in 2004. Known children (per obit. of dau., Dianne):
- Dianne Virginia Prentiss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [6]
- Harold Orlean "Chip" Prentiss III (per Misty Prentiss, email, 8 Apr 2009). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [7]
- Gregg Prentiss.
- Kevin Prentiss. b. c. 1959, Concord, MA, and d. 7 Mar 2013, Concord, MA. His obituary
reads as follows:
- Newspaper Obituary and Death Notice, Daily Press (Newport News, VA) - Thursday,
March 14, 2013.
Kevin M. Prentiss, 54, died Thursday, March 7, 2013. A native of Concord, MA, he had been a Hampton resident for the last 28 years. He was always willing to help a friend and loved working with his hands.
Survivors include his lifelong companion, Janice E. Hunt of Hampton; two children, David W. Wilkinson and Jennifer Hunt; his mother, Dorthy Prentiss; his sisters, Susan Boulette and Mary Devries; his brothers, Harold Prentiss, III, Greg Prentiss and Timmy Prentiss; and three grandchildren.
A memorial service will be conducted at 3:00 PM on Friday, March 15, 2013 in the R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home chapel by Rev. Tommy Markham.
No wife, and no children surnamed Prentiss.
- Susanne Prentiss.
- Mary Prentiss.
- Tim Prentiss.
- Dana Prentiss, d. before 2013
- Neil Prentiss, dec. Nov. 2002 (not in SSDI as of Apr 2009)
6. Dianne Virginia Prentiss was b. 26 Oct 1953 in Concord, MA, and d. 23 Oct 2004 in Ft. Collins, CO, of breast cancer according to her obituary. She m. Curt Schreiber. Her obituary reads, in part, as follows:
- Dianne grew up in New England, then moved to Colorado in the late 1970s. She attended Colorado State University and then went on to earn a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from University of Northern Colorado in 1999. She worked as a school psychologist in California, Hawaii and Colorado. She enjoyed travel, spending time in the mountains, and artistic endeavors such as home decoration.
Dianne was a loving and highly devoted mother, who had many friends and touched many lives with her compassion and kindness. Volunteer work included working with autistic children with Hearts & Horses. She overcame many obstacles, living a joyful and fulfilling life, even after her diagnosis with cancer. Although she has gone on to a better place, she will be dearly missed by many.
Originally published Monday, October 25, 2004
Children:of Dianne Virginia Prentiss and Mr. Schreiber.
- Brett Schreiber.
- Kyle Schreiber.
7. Harold Orlean "Chip" Prentiss III, b. c. 1949, MA (per Misty Prentiss, email, 8 Apr 2009 and Vermont Birth Records) . In 1973 he was living with his family at 57 Lyman Ave., Burlington, Chittenden Co., VT.
He m. Robin Lynne Olden who was b. c. 1953, Ma. They had 1 or more children, including:
- Heith Ashley Prentiss, b. 8 Dec 1973, Burlington, Chittenden Co., VT.
8. Georgianna Jane Prentiss, b. 29 May 1937. She m. John Queen Victory on 13 Jun 1956. Children:
- John Queen Victory b. 14 Mar 1958. No children.
- Willian Henry Victory, b. 20 Jan 1960. No children
- Kenneth Queen Victory, b. 15 Sep 1961. He m.
Suzanne Marie Volpe. Children:
- Joseph Scott Bockel (son of Suzanne).
- Kenneth Brian Victory, b. 13 Sep 1983,
- Anthony Frank Victory, b. 18 Aug 1984,
- Christine Evelyn Victory, b. 29 May (1991?)
- Laura Jean Victory. She changed her name through adoption
to Laurie Cathleen Cordano and her children are
- Whitney Marie Cordano
- Michael Thomas Cordano.
- Ronald Lee Victory. No children.
- Robert Francis Harmon Jr., b. in Moodus, CT.
9. Patricia Elizabeth Prentiss, b. 1 Sep 1939. She m. David Julius Davis in 1956. Children:
- Patricia Marie Davis, b. 3 Jan 1957. She m. Bradley Dean Leikee.
Childen:
- Paul Allan Leiker, b. 21 Dec 1976,
- Anthony Dean Leiker, b. 1980,
- Nickalaus Dale Leiker, b. 3 Jan 1982.
- David Julius Davis Jr. Children:
- Rhianon Lea Davis, b. 11 Jan 1978. He m. Penny Lee Smith.
- Pamela Ann Davis, b. 10 May 1960. She married Marc Edwin Boles.
Children:
- Tanslee Renee Boles, b. 8 Jun 1978,
- Eric Marc Boles. b. 7 Feb 1980.
- John Joseph Lavallee
10. Virginia Nancy Prentiss, 9 Jul 1940. She m. married Douglas Leveque in 1967. Children:
- Virginia Carmaline Leveque, b. 14 Sep 1968
- Melinda Marie Leveque, b. 26 Jul 1972
11. James Joseph Prentiss, b. 24 Oct 1941. He m. Lorraine Harding in 1963. Children:
- Edward Prentiss, b. 23 Sep 1965.
- James Joseph Prentiss Jr. b. 25 Feb 1967
- Donald Alan Prentiss, b. 3 Mar 1977.
- Milton Leroy Prentiss Jr., b. 26 Sep 1942. He married
Nancy Whistler and was divorced in 1968.
He m., 2nd, Cheryl Qarczak Daughter:
- Danielle Leah Prentiss, b. 11 Jan 1978.
12. Howard Lee Prentiss, 13 Jan 1944. He married Carline May Knight in 1964. Children:
- Steven Prentiss, b. 22 Oct 1964
- Gordon Prentiss, b. 9 Oct 1965
- Richard Prentiss, b. 12 Oct 1966
- Julie Evely Prentiss, b. Nov 1968 and d. c. 1970.
- Laurie Jean Prentiss, b. 4 May 1973
13. Charles Arthur Prentiss, b. 5 Mar 1945. He m. Nancy S. Gagnon. Children:
- Lisa Antoinette b. 6/22/1968. Lisa married John Gus Christensen 5/12/1993. Their children are: Joshua, Jessica, Joseph & Johnathon.
- Betsy Lynn b. 10/20/1970. Betsy married Frank Louis Kovacs 7/2/1994. Their children are: Hanna Jake b. 12/3/1997 & Jeremy Frank b. 11/18/2004
- Chuckie Phillip b. 12/18/1974
14. Samuel Lawerence Prentiss, b. 22 Apr 1946. He m. Kathleen Hunter in 1966. Children:
- Sandie Prentiss, b. 30 Aug 1967. She m. Richard Combs on 13 Oct 1985.
- Kellie Prentiss, b. 21 May 1969 She is m. and has a daugher.
- Samuel Lawrence Prentiss Jr., b. 1 Aug 1972.
- Michael Prentiss, b. 17 Apr 1974,
Shown at Kennebunkport, York, ME in the 1850 census is 8 year old Seth Prentiss, b. c. 1842 in ME. He appears in the home of Seth Dennett (b. c. 1815, ME) and his wife, Elizabeth (b. c. 1818, ME). His relationship, if any, to James Henry Prentice is not known.
Also shown in the 1850 census in Saco, York Co., ME, is Patrick Prentice, b. c. 1805, Ireland. His occupation is that of a brickmaker. No wife or family is indicated. Saco lies about 10 miles NNE of Kennebunkport.
Their relationship, if any, to James Henry Prentice is not known, but their proximity, and their ages, suggest the possibility that Patrick might be James' brother and that Seth might be a son of either James or Patrick.
In reviewing the 1820 and 1830 ME census, no Prentice family appears in York County, but it does show a Henry Prentice in Paris, Oxford Co., ME Interestingly, the 1820 census indicates that Patrick was a "foreigner not naturalized." Henry was then 26-45 years of age and b. 1775-1794. He had 2 sons:
- 1 10-15, b. 1805-1810. 1930 20-25. Perhaps Patrick, b. c. 1905. Might be oldest son in 1930.
- 1 16-18, b. 1802-1804. 1930 not home when 26-28.
In the 1930 census, Henry was 50-59, b. 1771-1780. Combining the 1820 and 1830 age ranges gives Henry a birth year of 1775-1780. He is shown with 2 sons (plus daughters):
- 2 05-09, b. c. 1821-1825
- 1 10-14, b. c. 1816-1820
- 1 15-19, b. c. 1811-1815. Might be James Henry, b. c. 1915.
Patrick was b. c. 1805 (within the 1920 1802-1810 spread), but James was b. c. 1815, outside of the 1920 spread, but within the 1930 spread; it is also that James' middle name was "Henry."
The 1930 ME census shows a Henry and Mary Prentice in Paris, Oxford Co., ME. Henry was 50-60 and b. 1770-1780. He is almost certainly the same Henry who was shown in the Paris, Oxford Co., ME 1820 census as b. 1775-1794, and if so, that narrows his birth to sometime between 1775-1780. Henry and Mary also had 4 sons:
- 1 son 15-20 or b. 1810-1815
- 1 son 10-15 or b. 1815-1820
- 2 sons 5-10 or b. 1820-1825
That 1810-1825 year span encompases James (1815) but not Patrick (1805). However Patrick would be 25 in 1930 and likely living away from home in 1830 and perhaps married.
Based on the foregoing information, we would tentatively infer that James Henry Prentice and Patrick Prentice are the sons of Henry Prentice who might have been b. in MA, or in Ireland and who immigrated to the United States between 1805 (when Patrick was b. in Ireland) and 1815 (when James was b. in Maine). Such inference obviously needs additional research before it can be accepted as fact.
Appendix 1: Court Proceeding relating to the conviction of Roy A. Prentiss.
PRENTISS v. TAYLOR 143 F.Supp. 416 (1956) Roy A. PRENTISS, Petitioner, v. J. C. TAYLOR, Acting Warden, United States Penitentiary, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, Respondent. No. 308. United States District Court M. D. Pennsylvania.
July 9, 1956.
Roy A. Prentiss, pro se. J. Julius Levy, U. S. Atty., Edwin M. Kosik, Asst. U. S. Atty., Scranton, Pa., Lt. Col. Cecil L. Forinash, Judge Advocate General's Corps, United States Army, Washington, D. C., for respondent.
FOLLMER, District Judge. Petitioner, a military prisoner at the United States Penitentiary, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, has filed, in forma pauperis, his application for a Writ of Habeas Corpus. Petitioner was originally sentenced to death in 1943. The President commuted the sentence to life imprisonment and a dishonorable discharge, and the sentence has since then been reduced by various clemency actions to fifteen and one-half years.
On January 15, 1951, he was conditionally released but recommitted on September 15, 1951, for violation of parole. He was again conditionally released on October 19, 1952, but having again violated parole, was recommitted in February 1954.
Petitioner, citing United States ex rel. Toth v. Quarles, 350 U.S. 11, 76 S.Ct. 1, contends that "There was no jurisdiction when this prisoner was remitted for a parole violation in September of 1951 and in May of 1954 because this prisoner had already been discharged by the Army on January 5th, 1951." United States ex rel. Toth v. Quarles, supra, had reference to military jurisdiction over civilian ex soldiers who had severed all relationship with the military and its institutions. The opinion, 350 U.S. at page 14, 76 S.Ct. at page 4, however specifically states:
- "This Court has held that the Article I clause just quoted authorizes Congress to subject persons actually in the armed service to trial by court-martial for military and naval offenses. Later it was held that court-martial jurisdiction could be exerted over a dishonorably discharged soldier then a military prisoner
[ 143 F.Supp. 417 ]
serving a sentence imposed by a prior court-martial. * * *"
Article 58 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, 50 U.S.C.A. § 639, specifically provides:
"(a) Under such instructions as the Department concerned may prescribe, any sentence of confinement adjudged by a court-martial or other military tribunal, whether or not such sentence includes discharge or dismissal, and whether or not such discharge or dismissal has been executed, may be carried into execution by confinement in any place of confinement under the control of any of the armed forces, or in any penal or correctional institution under the control of the United States, or which the United States may be allowed to use; and persons so confined in a penal or correctional institution not under the control of one of the armed forces shall be subject to the same discipline and treatment as persons confined or committed by the courts of the United States or of the State, Territory, District, or place in which the institution is situated."1
There is no doubt that there was jurisdiction to recommit him for violation of parole.2 Petitioner contends that the verdict of guilty was against the evidence. In Humphrey v. Smith, 336 U.S. 695, 69 S.Ct. 830, 831, 93 L.Ed. 986, the Supreme Court said:
- "We may at once dispose of the contention that the respondent should not have been convicted on the evidence offered. That evidence was in sharp dispute. But our authority in habeas corpus proceedings to review court-martial judgments does not permit us to pass on the guilt or innocence of persons convicted by courts-martial."
Consequently this issue cannot be relitigated here. The record has however been carefully examined. It cannot even be said that there was sharp dispute. There was ample evidence to support every element of the offense. The question of petitioner's guilt was fully considered by the trial court, the convening authority, the Board of Review, the Judge Advocate General, the Secretary of War and the President. The opinions of the Judge Advocate General (Respondent's Exhibit E) and the Board of Review (Respondent's Exhibit G) reveal a painstaking and exhaustive review of the evidence.
Petitioner complains that no one inquired as to the whereabouts of the murder weapon. It was neither produced nor demand made for it by the defense. As a matter of fact the testimony was that it was last seen in the hands of the defendant. He likewise complains that due to loss of memory he was not competent to stand trial. He was examined by not only one but a number of neuropsychiatrists, and the trial court on the evidence presented was fully justified in proceeding with the trial. These and other matters of a similar nature would not, in any event, be matters for habeas corpus.
In Whelchel v. McDonald, 340 U.S. 122, 124, 71 S.Ct. 146, 148, 95 L.Ed. 141, the Supreme Court said: "There was evidence in the hearing before the District Court that petitioner may have been either insane or drunk at the time of the crime. "We put to one side the due process issue which respondent presses, for we think it plain from the law governing court-martial procedure that there must be afforded a defendant [ 143 F.Supp. 418 ] at some point of time an opportunity to tender the issue of insanity. It is only a denial of that opportunity which goes to the question of jurisdiction. That opportunity was afforded here. Any error that may be committed in evaluating the evidence tendered is beyond the reach of review by the civil courts." And in Burns v. Wilson, 346 U.S. 137, 142, 73 S.Ct. 1045, 1048, 97 L.Ed. 1508, the court reiterated:
-
"The military courts, like the state courts, have the same responsibilities as do the federal courts to protect a person from a violation of his constitutional rights. In military habeas corpus cases, even more than in state habeas corpus cases, it would be in disregard of the statutory scheme if the federal civil courts failed to take account of the prior proceedings of the fair determinations of the military tribunals after all military remedies have been exhausted. Congress has provided that these determinations are `final' and `binding' upon all courts. We have held before that this does not displace the civil courts' jurisdiction over an application for habeas corpus from the military prisoner. Gusik v. Schilder, 1950, 340 U.S. 128, 71 S.Ct. 149, 95 L.Ed. 146. But these provisions do mean that when a military decision has dealt fully and fairly with an allegation raised in that application, it is not open to a federal civil court to grant the writ simply to re-evaluate the evidence. Whelchel v. McDonald, 1950, 340 U.S. 122, 71 S.Ct. 146, 95 L.Ed. 141.
"We turn, then, to this case.
"Petitioners' applications, as has been noted, set forth serious charges allegations which in their cumulative effect, were sufficient to depict fundamental unfairness in the process whereby their guilt was determined and their death sentences rendered. Had the military courts manifestly refused to consider those claims, the District Court was empowered to review them de novo. * * *"
Here, as in Burns v. Wilson supra, "the military reviewing courts scrutinized the trial records before rejecting petitioners' contentions", and in lengthy opinions concluded that petitioner had been accorded a full and fair hearing.3
Petitioner also alleges that he has recovered his memory and seeks to present what he claims to be facts he now recalls. An attempt to co-ordinate various allegations in the papers filed by him compels one to doubt any such recovery of memory. It partakes more of an imaginative reconstruction in a light favorable to him. The question of guilt or innocence is not however, as already indicated, before us.4 It has no bearing on the issue of whether he had a fair trial. As was stated in Suttles v. Davis, 10 Cir., 215 F.2d 760, 763, certiorari denied 348 U.S. 903, rehearing denied 348 U.S. 932, 75 S.Ct. 343, 99 L.Ed. 731, "Obviously, it cannot be said that they have refused to fairly consider claims not asserted."5 Nor can a claim that after discovered evidence will tend to show that the accused did not commit the crime be made the basis of habeas corpus in any event.6 [ 143 F.Supp. 419 ]
The Rule to Show Cause will accordingly be discharged and the application for a writ of habeas corpus in forma pauperis will be denied.
Footnotes 1. See also Par. 93 of Manual for Courts-Martial United States 1951. Back to Reference 2. O'Connor v. Hunter, 10 Cir., 192 F.2d 179; O'Malley v. Hiatt, D.C.M.D.Pa., 74 F.Supp. 44; Steele v. Humphrey, D.C. M.D.Pa., 80 F.Supp. 544; Smith v. Humphrey, D.C.M.D.Pa., 89 F.Supp. 948; McFarland v. Zuppann, D.C.M.D.Pa., 82 F.Supp. 526. Back to Reference 3. Easley v. Hunter, 10 Cir., 209 F.2d 483; Mitchell v. Swope, 9 Cir., 224 F.2d 365; Suttles v. Davis, 10 Cir., 215 F.2d 760, certiorari denied 348 U.S. 903, 75 S.Ct. 228, 99 L.Ed. 709, rehearing denied 348 U.S. 932, 75 S.Ct. 343, 99 L.Ed. 731; Bourchier v. Van Metre, 96 U.S.App.D.C. 181, 223 F.2d 646; Allen v. Wilkinson, D.C.M.D.Pa., 129 F.Supp. 73; Wilson v. Wilkinson, D.C.M.D.Pa., 129 F.Supp. 324. Back to Reference 4. See also Lowrey v. Hiatt, D.C.M.D.Pa., 73 F.Supp. 8. Back to Reference 5. See also Wilson v. Wilkinson, D.C.M.D. Pa., 129 F.Supp. 324. Back to Reference 6. Hauck v. Hiatt, 3 Cir., 141 F.2d 812; Figueroa v. Saldana, 1 Cir., 23 F.2d 327, certiorari denied 277 U.S. 574, 590, 48 S.Ct. 530, 72 L.Ed. 995; United States v. Kaplan, D.C.S.D.N.Y., 101 F.Supp. 7, 13, affirmed 2 Cir., 102 F.2d 1019; Woollomes v. Heinze, 9 Cir., 198 F.2d 577, 579, certiorari denied 344 U.S. 929, 73 S.Ct. 499, 97 L.Ed. 715.
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