PrenticeNet :: Prentices of Essex County, England

The Prentices of Essex County, England
Fall 1999 and Revised 8 Oct 2000
Update of 12 Oct 2000: For an update of this article providing information about the earliest known Prentice families of Essex County, see Prentices of Essex County, England: Part 2 in our Winter 2000 issue.

While working on the 4 New England emmigrant Prentices (Valentine, Thomas, Robert and Henry), we collected a few bits and pieces of information relating to Prentice families who lived in Essex County, England in the 1500s. In the hope that someone can further identify the ancestry and descendants of those folks, we are providing the following information:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Edward Prentice of Colne Engaine, Essex Co., England: Will 139 CW 9, 1624
Ellen Prentice of Colne Engaine, Essex Co., England: Will 11 CW 239, 1631
Henry Prentice of Romford, Essex Co., England: IGI
Henry Prentice of White Colne, Essex Co., England: Will 733, 1569
Henry Prentice of White Colne, Essex Co., England: Will 9 CW 132, 1623
John Prentice of Colne Engaine, Essex Co., England: Will 8 CW 229, 1620
John Prentice of Colne Engaine, Essex Co., England: Will 177 CW 9, 1623
John Prentice of Good Easter, Essex Co., England: Will 259 CW 13, 1640
John Prentyce of Stock, Essex Co., England: Will 489, 1562-3.
Richard Prentice of Earls Colne, Essex Co., England
Robert Prentice of Romford, Essex Co., England: IGI
Robert Prentys of Gt. Horkesley, Essex Co., England: Will 121, 1560
Thomas Prentice of Harlow, Essex Co., England: Will 834, 1560
William Prentice of Good Easter, Essex Co., England: Will 29 BW 139, 1589
William Prentice of Colne Engaine, Essex Co., England: Will 6 CW 98, 1614
William Prentice of Romford, Essex Co., England: Will 579, 1564
John Prentis of E. Hanningfield, Essex Co., England: Will 579, 1564
Richard Prentice of Earls Colne, Essex Co., England
Material provided by John A. Threlfall on 7 Oct 2000 establishes that Richard Prentice is the son of Henry Prentice of White Colne, below, Essex Will #733 dated 1569. We do not have a birth date for him, but his wife, Margaret was b. c. 11584. He was bur. at Earls Colne on 26 Sep 1586. Richard lived in White Colne until about 1574 when he is found in Earls Colne, the next parish.
Richard m. Margaret Ward, at Earls Colne. She was the dau. of John Ward of Earls Colne. She was b. c. 1540 and was bur. 8 May 1584 at Earls Colne.
Richards Will of 24 Sep 1586 identifies the following children:

Margaret Prentice, bap. 20 Sep[ 1562, White Colne.
Richard Prentice, twin, bap. 14 Jul 1564, White Colne.
Joan Prentice, twin, bap 14 Jul 1564, White Colne.
Albon Prentice, bap. 3 Mar 1566/7, White Colne.
John Prentice, bap. 25 Jul 1568, White Colne. John B. Threlfall's research material of 7 Oct 2000 indicates that no Will has been found, and the Wills of the John Prentices seem not to identify the same children as named by the Threlfall material which identifies John's children as:

Henry Pentice, bap. 15 may 1600. He m. Elizabeth Fosdick on 2 Aug 1628 at Bures St. Mary, Suffolk/Essex, the next parish to the north. Threlfall identifies Henry as the Henry Prentice who emigrated to MA.
Margaret Prentice, bap. 29 May 1603. She m. John Cobb on 20 May 1627 at Earls Colne. He was the son of John Cobb and was bap. 20 Feb 1602/3. She was bur. 12 Jul 1630, perhaps in childbirth. Daughter:

Margaret Prentice, bap 17 Aug 1628/
After Margaret died, John Cobb m. 2nd Susan and they had:

Anne Cobb, bap. 22 May 1632, Earls Colne.

John Prentice, bap. 26 Masr 1609 and b. 26 Aug 1609.
William Prentice, bap. 6 Apr 1613. Threlfall suggests William was perhaps b. in 1611 and bap. late, other he would conflict with the next child.
John Prentice, bap. 29 Dec 1613.
Susan Prentice, bap. 11 Feb 1615/6 and bur. 11 Aug 1623 at White Colne.
Note: Threlfall suggests the possibility that the following men might also be John's sons:

Robert Prentice who m. Mary Woodward on 29 Sep 1629 at Earls Colne.
Edward Prentice who m. Alice Brown on 3 Nov 1631 at Earls Colne.
John Prentice who was bur. 4 Jun 1640 at Earls Colne.

Helena Prentice, bap 9 Jul 1570, White Colne. She probably d. young as not mentioned in her father's Will of 1586.
Henry Prentice, bap. 1 Jul 1576 at Earls Colne. He received a parcel of land called Bungge. He m. Joan Pollye on 12 Jul 1604 at White Colne. Henry was bur. 13 Dec 1623 in White Colne. A Joan Prentice, perhaps the same person, was bur. 14 Aug 1641 at Earls Colne. Children:

Joan Prentice, bap. 10 Jul 1604, White Colne.
Henry Prentice, bap. 11 Oct 1607, White Colne.
Mary Prentice, bap. 22 Jul 1610, White Colne.
Edward Prentice, bap 13 Sep 1613, White Colne.
Anne Prentice, bap. 5 Oct 1615, White Colne

Joan Prentice, bap. 2 Feb 1588/8 at Earls Colne.

Henry Prentice of White Colne, Essex Co., England
Essex Will #733 dated 1569 is the Will of Henry Prentice of White Colne. Material provided by John R. Threlfall on 7 Oct 2000 indicates that Henry was kown at "Harry" to his friends. Such a nickname indicates he might be a brother of Robert Prentys of Gt. Horkesley, Will #121, dated 1560. We have no age for Henry, but if he lived a normal span of roughly 65-80 years, that suggests Henry's birth date was perhaps 1489-1505. Henry's Will names his wife, Joan. Henry is of interest in view of the facts that his Will names various living children:

Richard Prentice. He m. Margaret Ward and is discussed elsewhere in this article at Richard Prentice of Earls Colne.
Agnes Prentice who m. Mr. Man.
Agnes Prentice, the younger.
Alice Prentice who m. Mr. Jenner.
Henry Prentice.
John Prentice, the elder.
John Prentice, the younger.
Thomas, the elder. An article by John B. Threlfall, received 7 Oct 2000, relates that Thomas settled in Rettenden which is about 24 miles south of White Colne and that Thomas died a few months after his father. Thomas' Will of 5 Sep 1570 names:

Thomas Prentice. He received Thomas' house and land in Colne Engaine except for 2 acres given to Edward.
Edward Prentice. He receive 2 acres of land in Colne Engaine and "land in White Colne and Colne Engaine called Chalk Pightle, Pett Croft, Gold Hords, Chalk Pightle and Cote Croft."
William Prentice. He received his fathers house and land in Rettenden called Blossoms. He may be the William Prentice of Colne Engaine who has Will #6 CW 98, dated 1614.
Arthur Prentice. He received his father's featherbed.

Thomas, the younger.

John Prentyce of Stock, Essex Co., England
John Prentyce of Stock has Will #489, dated 11 Dec 1562/3. We have no birth date for John, but if he lived the usual 65-80 years, his birth date may in the 1482-1497 range. John's Will names his wife, Elizabeth, and the following children:

Agnes Prentyce, not married.
John Prentyce.
James Prentyce, named co-executor.
Humphrey Prentyce, named co-executor.
Richard Prentyce. He may, or may not, be Richard Prentice of Earls Colne, Essex Co., England He may, or may not, be the Richard Prentyce of Earls Colne whose Will (243 CW 2) was probated in 1586.

William Prentice of Good Easter, Essex Co., England
William Prentice of Good Easter has Will #29 BW 139, dated 1589. We have no birth date for John, but if he lived the usual 65-80 years, his birth date may in the 1509-1524 range. William's Will does not mention any wife or children, but does name the following brothers and sisters:

Robert Prentice
Alice Prentice
Agnes Prentice
Joan Prentice
Marie Prentice

John Prentice of Good Easter, Essex Co., England
John Prentice of Good Easter has Will #259 CW 13, dated 1640. We have no birth date for John, but if he lived the usual 65-80 years, his birth date may in the 1560-1575 range. John's Will does not mention any wife or children, but does name the following brothers and sisters:

Alice Prentice
Ellin(?) Prentice who m. Henry Ames

Henry Prentice of White Colne, Essex Co., England
Henry Prentice of White Colne has Will #9 CW 132 CW 13, dated 1623. We have no birth date for John, but if he lived the usual 65-80 years, his birth date may in the 1543-1558 range. John's Will names his wife, Joane(?) and the following children:

Anne Prentice
Joane(?) Prentice
Henry Prentice
Mary Prentice
Edward Prentice

One could infer that Henry is a son of Henry Prentice of White Colne (Essex Will #733 dated 1569).

John Prentice of Colne Engaine, Essex Co., England
John Prentice of Colne Engaine has Will #8 CW 229, dated 1620. We have no birth date for John, but if he lived the usual 65-80 years, his birth date may in the 1540-1555 range. John's Will does not name a wife (perhaps she was then deceased) but he does name the following children:

Elizabeth Prentice
Joane Prentice
Henry Prentice
Mary Prentice
Margaret Prentice
Edward Prentice

One could infer that John is a son of Henry Prentice of White Colne (Essex Will #733 dated 1569).

John Prentice of Colne Engaine, Essex Co., England
John Prentice of Colne Engaine has Will #177 CW 9, dated 1623. We have no birth date for John, but if he lived the usual 65-80 years, his birth date may in the 1543-1558 range. He may be the son of William Prentice of Colne Engaine whose Will is given below. John's Will names his wife, Margaret, and the following children, all living in 1623:

William Prentice, b. c. 1599-1622.
Ann Prentice, b. c. 1599-1622.
Sarah Prentice, b. c. 1599-1622.
Robert Prentice, b. c. 1602-1622.
Margaret Prentice, b. c. 1602-1622.

Ellen Prentice of Colne Engaine, Essex Co., England
Ellen Prentice of Colne Engaine has Will #11 CW 239, dated 1631. We have no birth date for Ellen, but if she lived the usual 65-80 years, her birth date may in the 1551-1566 range. Ellen was apparently a widow since no husband is named. Because of her Colne Engaine residence, she appears to be Ellen Hurrye, wife of William who is a brother of Edward Prentice of Colne Engine. Ellen's Will names the following children and grandchildren:

John Prentice. He may be the John Prentice of Colne Engaine, below, whose Will is dated 19 Jun 1623.

Ellen Prentice
John Prentice

William Prentice

Elizabeth Prentice

Elizabeth Prentice

Edward Prentice of Colne Engaine, Essex Co., England
Edward Prentice of Colne Engaine has Will #139 CW 9, dated 1624. We have no birth date for Edward, but if he lived the usual 65-80 years, his birth date may in the 1544-1559 range. Edward names his wife, Joane, and his sister, Agnes. No children are named.
Edward is likely a grandson of Henry Prentice of White Colne (Essex Will #733 dated 1569) and son of Thomas Prentice, the elder whose Will of 5 Sep 1570 gave him 2 acres of land in Colne Engaine and "land in White Colne and Colne Engaine called Chalk Pightle, Pett Croft, Gold Hords, Chalk Pightle and Cote Croft."

William Prentice of Colne Engaine, Essex Co., England
William Prentice of Colne Engaine has Will #6 CW 98, dated 1614. We have no birth date for William, but if he lived the usual 65-80 years, his birth date may in the 1534-1549 range. William names his wife, Helen, who might be Ellen Prentice of Colne Engaine, Essex Co., England: Will 11 CW 239, 1631. In his will he names his children:

Elizabeth Prentice
Helen Prentice
William Prentice
John Prentice. He may be the John Prentice of Colne Engaine, above, whose Will is dated 19 Jul 1623.

William also mentions Edward Prentice of Colne Engaine indicating, perhaps, that both are sons of Thomas Prentice and grandsons of Henry Prentice of White Colne, Will #733.

Robert Prentys of Gt. Horkesley, Essex Co., England
Robert Prentys of Gt. Horkesley has Will #121, dated 1560. We have no birth date for Robert, but if he lived the usual 65-80 years, his birth date may in the 1480-1495 range. Edward names his wife, Agnes, and his brother, Harry Prentyse. No children are named.
The reference to his brother, Harry, might indicate that he is a brother of Henry Prentice of White Colne (Essex Will #733 dated 1569) who was also known as Harry Prentice and who was also b. at about 1500, give or take 10 years.

William Prentice of Romford, Essex Co., England
William Prentice of Romford has Will #579, dated 1564. We have no birth date for William, but if he lived the usual 65-80 years, his birth date may in the 1484-1499 range. William names his wife, Joan and children:

Robert Prentice. He might be the Robert who married Joan Shonk in Romford in 1563.
Thomas Prentice, under 21 in in 1564.
Joan Prentice. She may be the Joan who m. Ludovicus Gough in Romford in 1565.
Elizabeth Prentice.
Alice Prentice.
Anne Prentice. She may be the Anne who m. George Uphavering in Romford in 1569.

Robert Prentice of Romford, Essex Co., England
Robert Prentice of Romford appears in the IGI as Roberti Prentyce. We have no birth date or place for him, but he may have been born about 1530-45. He may be Robert Prentice, son of William Prentice of Romford, above, and/or the Robert Prentice who m. Joan Shonk in Romford in 1563. Known children:

Joanna Prentice, chr. 9 Dec 1564, Romford.
Margerie Prentice, chr. 04 Aug 1566, Romford.
Katerina Prentice, chr. 7 Sep 1567, Romford.
William Prentice, chr. Aug 1569, Romford.
Emma Prentice, chr. 23 Dec 1571, Romford.
Robert Prentice, chr. Dec 1573, Romford. He may be the Robert who is the father of:

Francys Prentice, 10 Oct 1615, Romford (male)
Edward Prentice, chr. 15 Nov 1616, Romford.

Thomas Prentice, chr. 5 Mar 1580, Romford.

Henry Prentice of Romford, Essex Co., England
Henry Prentice of Romford appears in the IGI as Henrici Prentyce. We have no birth date or place for him, but he may have been born about 1530-45. He is not listed in the 1564 Will of William Prentice of Romford, above and so might not be a brother of Robert, above. Known childen:

Alycia (Alice?) Prentice, chr. 16 Aug 1564. Romford.

Thomas Prentice of Harlow, Essex Co., England
Thomas Prentice of Harlow has Will #834, dated 1560. We have no birth date for Thomas, but if he lived the usual 65-80 years, his birth date may in the 1589-1594 range. Thomas names his wife, Katherine and children:

Robert Prentice.
Thomas Prentice.
Joan Prentice. She was married and had a son, Thomas.
Elizabeth Prentice.
John Prentice. Children:

John Prentice.
Agnes Prentice.

Agnes Prentice. She was married and had a son, George.
Margery Prentice.
Margaret Prentice.

John Prentis of East Hanningfield, Essex Co., England. We have no birth date for John, but based on the birth of his children, he was likely born 1540-55. Children:

Elizabeth Prentis, chr. 29 Jun 1572, East Hanningfield
John Prentis, chr. 29 Nov 1573, East Hanningfield.
Bryget/Bridget Prentis, chr. 19 Jun 1575, East Hanningfield.
Richard Prentis, chr. 1 Sep 1577, East Hanningfield.

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If you have any information which can help us identify the ancestry and descendants of any of the folks mentioned above, please contact us at dewald@prenticenet.com..

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