21. Rev. Joshua4 Prentice, Harvard College, 1738, son of Dea. Henry and Elizabeth. About the year 1773A he began to write his name Prentiss, and this branch of the family have since continued that spelling of the name...
He m, 1st, Nov. 9, 1743, Mrs. Mary Angier, of Cambridge, Mass., she d. Jan. 4, 1754, ae. 35, and he m. 2d, Jan. 9, 1755, Margaret, dau. of Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Appleton, of Cambridge. He m. 3d, Jan. 9, 1770, Mary Hayley, who d. in Holliston, May 21, 1804, ae. 81. He was ordained minister of Holliston, Mass., May 18, 1743...
At the age of seven his life was despaired of by fever. His father promised if he was spared he would devote him to God's service. In early life he was bapt. and assumed his parent's obligation. His sentiments were Calvinistic. About five years before he died, owing to a protracted illness about 1784, his pastoral connection was dissolved, his salary was withheld, and he was obliged to sue the town, but it was paid and harmony prevailed, and the town exempted him from taxation and gave seats in the meetinghouse for his family. The will of Rev. Joshua Prentiss, dated Holliston, March 22, 1786, mentions wife Mary, and daus. Margaret and Elizabeth, sons Appleton, Joshua, Thomas and Henry. He willed Appleton his farm at Cambridge, and he and his other brothers were joint executors.
A In 1764 his daughter was styled "Elizabeth Prentiss" in First Congregational Church records, her father's congregation.
