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1. William Alexander Prentiss was born c. 1814 in NY and d. of consumption in Greene Co, MS in August, 1849 at the age of only about 35.. The names of his mother and father are not yet known.

William's middle name is likely "Alexander" since that is the middle name of his two sons. In that time frame, "Alexander" was a name found mostly in Prentices with roots in Scotland or Ireland, so his father, or grandfather, may have come from one of those two countries.

At some point, William moved to MS but it is unknown whether he was accompanied by parents or siblings. He first appears in Hinds Co., MS where, at the age of about 24, he Married Mary Rainey on 9 Nov 1838. Whether he was living in, or near, Hinds County in 1838 is unknown. He does not appear in the 1850 MS census (having d. in 1849), nor is any Prentice shown who was born other than in MS.

He Married Mary Raney/Rainey, 9 Nov 1838, in Hinds Co., MS. Mary was born circa 1823, Hinds, MS, and d. 30 Nov 1893. Children:

1. James Alexander Prentiss. He was b. circa 1840, in MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [2]
2. Mary Prentiss. Born, 1842. She Married Richard Pipkins in MS. Children:

           3 Nancy PIPKINS b: 1858
             + William Rufus COOLEY b: 1864
               4 Willie COOLEY b: SEP 1885
               4 Sarah COOLEY b: AUG 1887
               4 Jule COOLEY b: 1889
               4 Kirt COOLEY b: 1891
               4 John COOLEY b: 1894
               4 Birt COOLEY b: 1900
               4 Lonnie PIPKINS b: 1902
           3 Ellen PIPKINS b: 18 Apr 1864 d: 22 AUG 1951
             + James Monroe BALL b: 28 SEP 1863 d: 19 MAY 1933
               4 Pauline BALL b: 1887
               4 Kate Irene BALL b: 1889
               4 Mary Alice BALL b: 29 JUN 1891
                 + Melton Littleton TAYLOR b: Jan 1890
                   5 Edward Barrett TAYLOR b: 18 Feb 1913 d: 9 Jan 1996
                     + Margaret Valoree TURNER b: 10 Apr 1919
                   5 Palmer Spurgeon (Shorty) TAYLOR b: 6 DEC 1915 d: 25 NOV 1940
                   5 Mable Ellen TAYLOR b: 28 AUG 1920
                     + Ernest JOSEY
                     + Carl DEANY
                   5 Monroe Littleton (M. L.) TAYLOR b: 16 OCT 1921
                     + Minnie MERRITT
                   5 Edmond Deward TAYLOR b: 4 Jan 1925
                   5 Avis Marie TAYLOR b: 31 JUL 1926
                     + Claude A. WALKER
                   5 Jelene TAYLOR b: 31 DEC 1928
                     + Wilson HOWQELL
               4 Marvin Hugh BALL b: 25 DEC 1895
                 + Elizabeth HILLMAN
               4 Tyra Augustus BALL b: 6 Feb 1897 d: 5 DEC 1899
               4 Noah Spurgeon BALL b: 29 OCT 1899
               4 Rachel Ellen BALL b: 1903
                 + Axun BRADLEY
               4 Alma Marie BALL b: 1907
                 + Homer EUBANKS
           3 Elisha PIPKINS b: 2 JUN 1866 d: 14 NOV 1963
             + Flora Emma BALL b: 22 Feb 1874 d: 25 JUN 1951
               4 Willie PIPKINS b: OCT 1893
               4 Richard David PIPKINS b: NOV 1898
               4 Lillie PIPKINS b: Apr 1900
               4 Lee PIPKINS b: 1903
               4 Earnest PIPKINS b: 1906
               4 Guy PIPKINS b: 1909
   

3. Sarah Ann Prentiss. Born, 1842. She Married James P. "Red Bird" Williams, 1862, in MS. Children:

           3 Elizabeth W. WILLIAMS b: 3 SEP 1857 d: 4 MAY 1929
             + Samuel W. WALLEY b: 10 NOV 1860 d: 1 DEC 1935
               4 Lewis WALLEY b: 17 JUL 1880 d: 12 MAY 1958
                 + Ella DURHAM b: 19 SEP 1886 d: 11 SEP 1963
           3 Ira WILLLIAMS b: ABT 1859
           3 James W. WILLIAMS b: 1861
             + Asaline Virginia MAPLES b: 28 SEP 1866 d: 2 JUN 1940
           3 Mary WILLIAMS b: ABT 1864
           3 W. Alex WILLIAMS b: ABT 1870
           3 Frank WILLIAMS b: ABT 1872
             + Flora M GREEN b: 1874
               4 Ceila WILLIAMS b: Feb 1888
               4 Simon WILLIAMS b: JUL 1890
               4 Rosa WILLIAMS b: JUL 1894
               4 Marcus WILLIAMS b: AUG 1897
               4 Ray WILLIAMS b: MAY 1899
           3 Louella WILLIAMS b: ABT 1875
           3 Bell WILLIAMS b: ABT 1878
           3 John D WILLIAMS b: SEP 1882
   		

4. John Alexander "Alexander" Prentiss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [3]

After William died, Mary Married, 2nd, William McQuinn and 3rd, Benjamin F. Williams.

2. James Alexander Prentiss. He was b. circa 1840, in MS and might be the James Prentice shown in the 1850 census in Perry Co., MS. He probably died before 1880 as he does not appear in the 1880 census. In the 1860 and 1870 census James is shown living in Licksville, Greene Co., MS. A farmer, family tradition says James served in Steed's Cavalry, CSA.

He Married Sarah/Sally Roberts, circa 1860, in MS. She was b. Nov 1848, MS, and dau. of James Roberts, b. c. 1794, who was living with the family in the 1870 census. An Ancestor Chart for her can be found at Ancestry.com . Sally appears, without her husband, in the 1880 census in Greene Co., MS with her children. Children:

1. Emeline Prentice, b. c. 1866, MS and at home in the 1880 census.
2. Joseph L. A. "Joe" Prentiss, b. c. 1866, MS and d. 20 Feb 1905. He m. Mary Jane Smith. She was b. 19 Sep 1875 and d. 28 Jun 1920. Children:
   1. Joseph Prentiss.
   2. Esther Prentiss. She m. Harold Howard.
   3. Eliza Prentiss, b. 18 Jun 1900 and d. 3 Aug 1978. She m. Wiley Cooley who was b. 27 Sep 1890 and d. 24 Feb 1935. She m. 2nd Forest Ball, b. 21 May 1908.
   4. George Lazell Prentiss, b. 6 Apr 1902 and d. 24 Apr 1987. He m. Louverta Kittrell. She was b. 29 Apr 1897 and d. 16 Sep 1980.
      1. Joseph Lloyd Prentiss.
      2. Virginia Prentiss, b. 22 Apr 1929. She m. Gordon McDonald, b. 20 Apr 1925.
   5. Reuben Prentiss, b. 8 Apr 1904 and d. 28 Apr 1912.
   6. Molly Jane Prentiss, b. 29 Apr 1906 and d. 9 Nov 1965. She m. George Luther Dearman, b. 23 Dec 1897 and d. 21 May 1985.
      1. Buster Dearman.
      2. Bernie jarvis Dearman. George Dearman. He m. Myrtis Marie James.
      3. Terry Dearman.
3. Jency/Jincy E. Prentiss, b. Mar 1866, MS, and d. 1905. She m. George Taylor Dunnah. He was b. 5 May 1854 and d. 8 Sep 1931. Children:
   1. Coleman Field Dunnam b: 16 Jan 1884 d: 7 May 1951. He m. Maude A. Pope. She was b. 11 Jun 1892 and d. 26 Mar 1966. Children:
      1. William Wayne Dunnam. He m. Dozie Mary Foley.
      2. Wessie Lou Dunnam, b. 1 Mar 1916. She m. Maurice Dale Faulkerson.
      3. Rosa Emaline Dunnam, b. 26 Oct 1917. She m. Peter Phillip Kerkel.
      4. Evelyn Zoe Dunnam, b. 6 Feb 1923 and d. 29 Apr 1994. She m. James George Litherland who was b. 19 Feb 1922 and d. 7 Jul 1983.
      5. Freda Alice Dunnam, b. 24 Aug 1925 and d. 20 Oct 1999. She m. Edward Misswavage.
   2. Hattie Noland Dunnam, b. 2 Mar 1886 and d. 9 Aug 1962. She m. James "Jim" Murdock Averas. He was b. 8 May 1881 and d. 12 Sep 1947.
      1. Alma Avera
      2. Waldene Avera
      3. Marndee Avera
      4. Ben Avera
      5. James Mayo Avera
      6. George Taylor Avera
      7. Gladys Avera, b. c. 1909.
      8. Ruby Avera, b. 15 Mar 1910. She m. Richard Davis Cochran. He was b. 5 Sep 1910 and d. 30 Sep 1967.
   3. Alevia Ozark Dunnam, b. 11 Apr 1887 and d. 13 Nov 1949. She m. Moses Mixon. He was b. 30 Oct 1875 and d. 5 Apr 1955.
   4. Eleanor/Aleanor Ethel (Missie) Dunnam, b. 14 Oct 1891 and d. 16 Jul 1971. She m. Arthur Reuben Smith who was b. 2 May 1892 and d. 9 May 1980. Children:
      1. Stanley Smith, b. 10 Jul 1913. He m. Hazie Jones who was b. 23 Nov 1915 and d. 30 Sep 1973.
      2. Edith Smith, b. c. 1915. She m. Paul Bounds.
      3. Hadley Wilson Smith, b. 1917 and d. 10 Apr 1985. He m. Frances Elizabeth Moody.
      4. Gracy Coleman Smith, b. 3 Sep 1921. He m. Reba Lois Walley who was b. 19 Jan 1927.
      5. Dan D. Smith, b. 28 Nov 1925 and d. 11 Jan 1945.
   5. Burley Alan Dunnam, b. 16 Jun 1895 and d. 24 May 1979. He m. Nola Neel, b. 22 Jun 1902 and d. Mar 1986.
4. James Lorenzo Prentiss, b. Aug 1867 or 1870, MS. At home in the 1880 Greene Co. census. who m. Melinda J. Dunnam, b. Sep 1875, MS (per 1900 census). Not in 1920 census. They are in the 1930 census in Toulminville and Pritchard, Mobile Co., AL with their children:
   1. Agnes Estelle Prentiss, b. 3 Mar 1902 and d. 28 Aug 1933. She m. Henry Eugene Hawthorne who was b. 1898 and d. 1954. Son:
      1. Arvel Glen Hawthorne, b. 1927. He m. Anita Walker who was b. 1927.
   2. William Wirt Prentiss, b. 20 Oct 1903 and d. 19 Aug 1951. He m. Grace Crenshaw. Son>
      1. William Wirt Prentiss Jr..
   3. Pearlie Emeline Prentiss, b. 8 Jun 1905 and d. 21 Apr 1991.
   4. Martha Abilene Prentiss, b. 1907 and d. 6 Jul 1935.
   5. Sally Genary Prentiss, b. 1 Aug 1908 and d. 10 Jun 1992. She m. Mallery Malcomb Mizell Black. He was b. 1907 and d. 1969.
   6. Lottie Elma Prentiss, b. 20 Mar 1910 and d. 29 Oct 1975. She m. Ernest Leslie Lee, b. 1909.
   7. Annie Mae Prentiss, b. 22 Jan 1912 and d. 1 Nov 1941. She m. Homer Anderson.
   8. James Beauregard (Burie) Prentiss, b. Oct 1915 and d. 1975.
5. Mary Margaret "Maggie" Prentiss, b. 15 May 1872 and d. 1 Mar 1920. She m. Charles David West who was b. 28 May 1870 and d. 3 Dec 1940. Child:
   1. Yvellie West, b. 1897.
6. Mary Elizabeth Prentiss, b. 1875. She m. John L. Turner who was b. 20 Sep 1863 and d. 27 Jan 1919. Children:
   1. James Nathan Turner b: 30 Nov 1892 d: 24 Mar 1925
   2. Jack Lewis Turner b: 1894 d: 18 Apr 1943. He m. Icie Isabella McDonald. She was b. 21 Sep 1907 and d. 21 Aug 1969.
   3. William Turner b: 1897
   4. David F Turner b: 1899
   5. Louellen Turner b: 22 Nov 1899 d: 4 Feb 1922
   6. Addie l. Turner b: 1904
7. Blanton Prentiss, b. c. 1877, MS. Not in 1920 census.
8. Sarah Prentiss, b. Mar 1878, MS who m. Joe Peacock who was b. 1888. Daughter:
   1. Sarah Peacock, b. 1906.

3. John Alexander "Alexander" Prentiss.

He m. 1st Cathrine Williams. Children:

1. Tyra John "Skin" , Sr Prentiss b: AUG 1878 d: 1947. He m. Vesta Doughdrill. She was b. 1 Mar 1882 d: 1 Nov 1961. Children:
   1. George Rawls Prentiss b: 10 Feb 1902 d: 29 Jun 1928
   2. Bernice Prentiss b: 10 Nov 1903 d: 22 Jul 1973. She m. Duncan Leon (Nig) Turner b: 3 Apr 1897 d: 17 Nov 1959
   3. Mary Catherine Prentiss b: 10 Feb 1905
   4. Tyra John , Jr Prentiss b: 16 Sep 1907. He m. Opal McInnis b: 1908. Daughter:
      1. Carolyn Prentiss b: c. 1830
   5. Ray (Speck) Prentiss b: 16 Apr 1913 d: 28 Mar 1999. He m. Jettie E McLeod b: 1913 d: 12 Mar 1990

2. Viola S. Prentiss b: 20 Mar 1883 d: 5 Jan 1929. She m. Henry David McMillan b: 18 Dec 1873 d: 1 Nov 1918. Children:
   1. Thelma (Munch) McMillan b: 27 Feb 1902. She m. George C (Judge) Turner b: 19 Jun 1898, d: 30 Jan 1975
   2. Dorothy Alice (Shug) McMillan b: 11 Aug 1904 d: 19 Jul 1985. She m. George C. Brewer b: 29 Mar 1899 d: 4 Jul 1972
   3. William Ora McMillan b: 3 Jan 1906. He m. Nellie PierceI.
   4. Houston David (Boge) McMillan b: 6 Oct 1908. He m. Ester Williams
   5. Helen H. McMillan b: 7 Jan 1912 d: 16 Nov 1977. She m. Roy McLeod.
   6. Dora Lee McMillan b: 10 Sep 1912 d: 26 Oct 1977. She m. Liege Merritt
   7. Claude Alex (Buck) McMillan b: 18 Apr 1914
   8. Henry David McMillan b: 18 Mar 1919 d: 4 May 1919

John m. 2nd Emaline Pipkins. Children:

1. Lizzie Prentiss

John m. 3rd Elizabeth Irkwood who was b. 1878. Children:

1. Hardy Avery Prentiss b: 8 Dec 1894 d: 16 Nov 1961. He m. Nina Marie Allen b: 24 Jul 1899 d: 28 Nov 1989. Children:
   1. Vesta Marie Prentiss b: c. 1920. She m. Roland Brewer.
   2. DeWitt Prentiss b: 1921. He m. Glanda. Living in 2017 in Leakesville, MS.
   3. Russell Prentiss b: 1922. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [4]
   4. Jesse Prentiss b: 1923. She m. Mr Hicks. 2017 in Mobile, AL.
   5. Reba Prentiss. She m. Mr.DeVine. 2017 in Oklahoma City, OK.
   6. Elizabeth Prentiss. She m. Al McMillan. 2017 in Freeport, FL. >li> Donnie Prentiss. He m. Fannie Kate. Living in 2017 in Leakesville, MS.
   7. Jack Prentiss. Dead before 2017
   8. Infant Prentiss b: 27 Oct 1929 d: 27 Oct 1929. May be Reba, Elizabeth, Donnie or Jack.
2. Hattie Prentiss b: May 1897

4. Russell A. Prentiss, b: 1926, Leakesville, MS and d. 20 Jun 2017, Chester, NE. His obituary reads as follows:

Salina Journal, The (KS) - Thursday, June 22, 2017: Russell A. Prentiss

CHESTER, Neb. - Russell A. Prentiss, 91, passed away June 20, 2017. He was born March 15, 1926, at Leakesville, Miss., to Hardy A. Prentiss and Nina (Allen) Prentiss. He married Mary Frances Cooley on July 13, 1947. He served with the United States Navy during World War II.

He is survived by daughter, Janet L. Breland (Don), of Chester; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sisters, Jessie Hicks, of Mobile, Ala., Vesta Marie Brewer, of Leakesville, Miss., Reba DeVine, of Oklahoma City, and Elizabeth McMillan (Al), of Freeport, Fla.; brothers, DeWitt Prentiss (Glenda), and Donnie Prentiss (Fannie Kate), both of Leakesville, Miss.

He was preceded in death by parents; his wife, Mary Frances; daughter, Beverly; son-in-law, Jim; grandson, James; and brother, Jack.

Graveside services and interment will be at 10 a.m. Friday, June 23, at Chester Cemetery, Chester, Neb. There will be no visitation. Memorials may be given to family's choice, in care of Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, Kan. Online condolences: www.bachelor-surber.com

He m. Mary Frances Cooley on 13 Jul 1947. Died before 2017. Daughter:

1. Janet L. Prentiss. She m. Don Breland. 2017 in Chester, NE.
2. Beverly Prentiss. She m. Jim. Both d. before 2017.

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