Jonathan Prentiss (abt. 1785)

Born about 1785 in Connecticut, United States

Ancestors

Died [date unknown] in Monongalia, Virginia, United States

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Biography

Johnathan was born in Connecticut. He came with his parents to Virginia around 1797.

Research for wife

Possible wife is Mary Fitch. A death record for Edwin Prentiss who died in Ohio, lists Jonathan Prentiss from New London, Connecticut. Edwin is listed as being born in New York though years after Jonathan had moved to Virginia. ^[1]

Possible marriage to Peggy Hawthorn in Monongalia, West Virginia in 1807. ^[2]

A will for Jonathan Prentiss of Monongalia, Virginia notes his wife as Margaret. He lists two daughers. No son is mentioned.

1. Jane J Martin
2. Ann Eliza Prentiss

A nephew J R C Allen is appointed Executor. ^[3]

This matches up with the 2 girls noted in the 1830 and 1840 census records.

Belleville

Around 1797 a Mr. George D Avery came to Belleville with other emigrants from Connecticut. Mr Avery had a business related to ship building. ^[4]

"Among the emigrants to Belleville with Mr. Avery was that of Mr. Prentiss and family. His wife was a sister to Mrs. Avery. He purchased and settled on a farm on the Ohio River, immediately above and adjoining Lee Creek, and also purchased other lands or lots in Belleville. Soon after settling there he died leaving a widow and two sons, Jonathan and Henry L. Prentiss.

Mr. Jonathan Prentiss inherited the farm on Lee creek. After some years, he emigrated and settled in Monongalia County, and finally sold the farm to Caleb Wells, and it now belongs to his heirs. Henry L. Prentiss married Miss Rebecca Mayberry, daughter of Mr. Geo. Mayberry, deceased, and sister of the late Hon. John P. Mayberry, of Parkersburg. He sold his land at Belleville and purchased and settled in Parkersburg. For many years he filled prominent positions in the county. On the 28th of February, 1822, he was commissioned a Justice of the Peace, which office he held until 1837, when he removed to the West. He was elected and served this county several times in the House of Delegates of Virginia. He finally settled in Quincy, Illinois, where he died many years since. His eldest son, Gen. Benjamin M. Prentiss, resides in that city. Many of four old citizens will remember Henry L. Prentiss, and the quaintness of his address, and the burlesqueness of his manners."

In 1830 Jonathan was living in Morgantown, Monongalia, Virginia. ^[5]

Jonathan 50-60

1 Female 10-15

1 Female 15-20

1 Female 40-50

1 Female 80-90

In 1840 he is still in Monangalia, Virginia. ^[6] Looks like the older woman has died and there is a new boy in the family.

1 Male 10-15

1 Male 60-70

1 Female 15-20

1 Female 60-70

Sources

1. ↑ "Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6CV-K8G : 10 March 2018), Johnathan Prentiss in entry for Edwin Prentiss, 29 Feb 1924; citing Death, Monroeville, Ridgefield Township, Huron, Ohio, United States, source ID 144, County courthouses, Ohio; FHL microfilm 2,051,749.
2. ↑ West Virginia, Marriages Index, 1785-1971. https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=2538&h=1064077&tid=&pid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=UNn1719&_phstart=successSource
3. ↑ Wills, 1819-1957; Author: West Virginia. County Court (Monongalia County); Probate Place: Monongalia, West Virginia.
4. ↑ Chapter IX History of Wood County / [Source: Sketches of Wood County: Its Early History; as embraced in and connected with other Counties of West Virginia. Also brief accounts of First Settlers, and their Descendants. Including accounts of its Soils, Timber, Minerals, Water, and Material Wealth. By S.C. Shaw, 1878.]
5. ↑ "United States Census, 1830," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH54-FTD : 17 August 2017), Jonathan Prentiss, Morgantown, Monongalia, Virginia, United States; citing 336, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 191; FHL microfilm 29,670.
6. ↑ "United States Census, 1840," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHT2-8XY : 20 August 2017), Jonathan Prentiss, East Monongalia, Monongalia, Virginia, United States; citing p. 51, NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 567; FHL microfilm 29,689.

• 1810 United States Federal Census. Year: 1810; Census Place: New Point, Wood, Virginia; Roll: 71; Page: 260; Image: 00511; Family History Library Film: 0181431. Ancestry.com. 1810 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.