Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1852,

BY C. J. F. BINNEY,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.

CS 71 8927 1452

PREFACE.

The Editor and Publisher, after freely offering his materials to several of the Prentice or Prentiss name, was induced, at their urgent request, to undertake this work, and to have five hundred copies printed, and hopes that the surplus- two hundred copies will be taken, that the expenses of publication may be repaid, and he relies on those interested to aid him.

Where the Editor personally examined Town, Church, Bible, or other records, he has endeavored to be accurate: where the information was derived from others, it is as received. Authorities are named, unless overlooked. Errors will arise in such a work. Lists of many families were sent to him without dates, &c., or explanation of relationship to others. On many old records of the children's births, the mother's Christian name only is mentioned. These omissions leave many blanks, for each family to fill up; and if made known to the writer, can be corrected in a future edition, if ever called for. The account of many families, of old date, is imperfect, as it was impossible to obtain information. What there is, will be a starting point for an accurate account by each family. It is to be regretted that so few old portraits could be found, and that more of those of the present generation could not be induced to have their portraits inserted for the gratification of their friends and successors, who would prize them much. We consider a portrait of a deceased relative, or an old ancestor, as invaluable.

The portraits and views were furnished at his request, and are all that could be obtained. The associations and memories of childhood, called up by a view of the "Old Homestead," would be an oasis in the desert of life.

The information regarding our ancestors, that he has endeavored to rescue from the dust of more than a century, and to preserve from oblivion, he hopes will be pleasing to those interested. He has tried to keep in mind the meaning of the motto of the Prentice Arms, Right and Forward."

Many of the Prentice or Prentiss family, have been an ornament to Franklin's profession. The editor has been much indebted to the unwearied aid of Messrs. Henry Prentiss Lewis and Henry J. Prentiss, during the progress of this work through the press.

Wishing the virtues of those of the name now departed, may continue to flourish

"When that this [work] shall mouldered be by time,"

he now introduces the past to the present.

BOSTON, APRIL 15, 1852.

EXPLANATION.

Each individual of a family is numbered (in parenthesis) in regular rotation. Should the name again appear, it can thus be traced back.

The Roman numerals designate the children of each family in succession. The small figures at the end of each name, give the generation, from a common ancestor of that branch; when the chain of descent is broken, or the origin is doubtful, that number is omitted.

By following this plan, the work can be continued and extended, by continuing the numbers, as other families arise.

The letter b. is for born; bap. for baptised.

An Index to the heads of families, and other names, may be found at the end of the volume.

The dates are given as found on records, &c., without regard to Old or New Style. In Old Style, the year began March 25, which was called the 1st month. The New Style, invented by Pope Gregory XIII., in 1582, was gradually adopted by other countries, (except Russia, Greece, and the East generally,) and by Great Britain and her Colonies in America, 14th (3) September, 1752, and commenced January 1, 1752, which was called the Historical year, and was added to the Legal year in donble dating, between January 1st and 25th March-as on page 12: March 8, 1663-4. On page 13th, 22, 3, 1648, Old Style, means 22d day of 3d month, (May.) [See Dr. Nathaniel B. Shurtleff's Time Tables, for private distribution, Boston, 1850.]

The Prentice or Prentiss Family.

THIS name is an old one in England. In Rhymer's Focdera, vol. 3, page 730, mention is made of Thomas Prentiz, Anno Domini 1318, An. 12, Ed. 2. "De Tribus Sarplar Lanæ pretii triginta Librarium Sterlingorum," &c. Also, Richard Prentiz, vol. 8, page 294, A. D. 1403, An. 4, H. 4. "De Jocalibus et Vestimentis Capella Regis." Also, John Prentys, Rector of Winterborn, Bradston, Aug. 22, 1413, and Prebendary of York, North Newbold, which he resigned Aug. 22, 1423.

The name in this country is believed to have been originally spelt Prentice. Some branches spell it Prentiss, some Prentis. In the following pages, the names of the different branches are spelt as found, or written by themselves, when known, otherwise written tice. I am told that Capt. Thomas P. of Newton, usually wrote it tice. Henry P., Sen., of Cambridge, Mass., and descendants, spelt it tice.

The first one of the name yet found in America was VALENTINE PRENTICE, who came over with the " Apostle Elliot, in 1631, with his wife, Alice, and son, John, (another child having died on the passage,) and settled in Roxbury, Mass. It is supposed that VALENTINE, of Roxbury, HENRY,