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I have been researching my father's side of the family, the Prendergast's of Cork. Another relative has provided some tantalizing information about them. My ggg grandfather, James Prendergast, born in 1809, appears to have had four wives. the first was Lucinda Townsend, the second Mary Cotter, the third Eliza Murphy and the fourth a Jane. he died in 1899 or 1900.
I read James Prendergast's will in the National Archives. there was some legal action over who would be the executor of this estate. James Prendergast apparently set up a trust in or around 1889 for the benefit of his "9" children. I know that he had a John Pius, William V [both who became Dominican priests], a MAry Anne and a Lucinda by Lucy Townsend. he had at least Mary Catherine and Francis Joseph by Mary Cotter, and a MAry by Eliza Murphy in 1879. The legal documents refer to a Thomas who I do not know is a son or a brother, and, other records have identified a Susan Prendergast [a letter from a solicitor, and public records of drunkenness and prostitution in Cork]. James Prendergast as a builder and lived at Carlysle Terrace Sundays Well and Homeville. James' father was Francis Prendergast. I am surprised that James never had a son who he named after himself. can anyone help find out whether Thomas was a son or brother and whether Susan was his daughter and by whom. Maureen Prendergast Pineau

Might be an idea to 'Edit', and add Cork, or Ireland to your heading...

(assuming this was all in Ireland?)

Chris :)

http://www.willcalendars.nationalarchives.ie/reels/cwa/005014911/005014911_00218.pdf


(no idea if below relates!, from google search)

http://www.curiousfox.com/vill100/CorkSmallerVillages_2.html

Glanworth Cotter - (Glanworth, Gleannuir, and Parish - County Cork)
My g-grandfather was William Cotter, born in 1849 in Brosna, Co Kerry. He married Catherine Prendergast, a school teacher and went on to become headmaster in the National School in Glanworth Co Cork. Their children were born in Glanworth. The first child James Prendergast Cotter was born in 1880 and they went on to have John 1881, William 1883, Mary 1884, Nicholas Joseph (my grandfather)in 1885, Brigid 1886 and Jeremiah 1890. Nicholas Joseph Cotter moved to Cork City where he married Anne Quaid on 28 Oct 1919. Even as an old man when my grandfather returned to Glanworth to visit, he was still referred to as "The Master's Son".

I am not sure if your Prendergast and cotter match mine. Mary cotter and James Prendergast married in 1857. James Prendergast as far as I can tell always resided in the city of cork. I am sure that Mary cotter had siblings but I think your grandfather cotter and my Mary cotter would have been from different generations. My Mary Catherine Prendergast was born in 1866 and her mother was Mary cotter who died giving birth to Mary catherine. Mary catherine Prendergast married a Mr Arnold from Kent england. Mr Arnold was a wealthy lawyer and had his offices in London where the firm existed in the same location until about 2 years ago. If you look at my tree at ancestry.com under the name Caslingirl what I know of the family is there

I appreciate the national archives info. Susan Prendergast could have been residing in the UK near her half sister Mary catherine (prendergast) arnold. My William prendergast was a priest in the Dominican order so I am fairly sure (hope) he wouldn't have a had a wife. The Thomas I don't know about. Perhaps Thomas could have been a farmer
Please keep the clues coming!!

Well done Maureen, hopefully you will now attract somebody to help with more knowledge of Ireland!...

(the above came from a search on google, always worth doing!)

Chris :)

Just putting this up so I could see the names better and add notes as I see them.

1. John Pius (Reverend) Baptised 1835 Cork, son of James and Lucy Townsend, died 11th Jan 1889 Lewes, Sussex

2.William V (Reverend) Baptised 1842 Cork son of James and Lucy Townsend , died 1899 in Western Australia.

3. Mary Ann -married Thomas Roche 1867 (Listed as second daughter of James). Possibly died Los Angeles (marriage and deaths for children are in the US)

Newry Examiner and Louth Advertiser - Wednesday 27 February 1867
Marriage- February 23 in the Cathedral, Cork by the Rev J P Prendergast O.P of St. Saviours, Dublin, assisted by the Rev. W V Prendergast O.P of Galway both brothers of the bride Mary-anne, second daughter of Mr James Prendergast, Sunday's Well, Cork to Thomas Roche of the same city.

4. Lucinda- (Lucy) baptised 1841, daughter of James and Lucy Townsend. married Thomas M'Donough 30th Sept 1872

Dublin Weekly Nation - Saturday 05 October 1872
M'Donough- Prendergast Sept 30th at St. Saviour's Church, Dominick Street, by the Rev J P Prendergast O.P assisted by the Rev W V Prendergast O.P brothers of the bride, Thomas M'Donough Esq. Newbrook, Rathfarnham to Lucy, duaghter of James Prendergast Esq. Cork.

5. Mary Catherine- (Cissie) born 1865, married Mr Bernard Arnold 1886- listed as the youngest child of James. Died 29 Jan 1924, Gravesend Kent.

Freeman's Journal - Friday 14 May 1886
Marriages. ARNOLD and PRENDERGAST May 5th 1886 at the Church of our Lady of the Rosary Marylebone Road, London, by the Rev..................to Mary Catherine Prendergast (Cissie), youngest child of James Prendergast Esq, of Cork. The bride was given away by her brother, the Rev J P Prendergast, St Pancras, Lewes Sussex.

6. Francis Joseph

7. Mary- this Mary that was born in 1879 was not a sibling of Mary Catherine's

8. Thomas- born c1837 Cork. Married Eliza Marshall in 1862 Cork (marriage confirms his father as James Prendergast). Moved to England to live with his daughter between 1901- 1911. Died 1914 Worcestershire, England.

9. Susan- born c1853, died 1899 Lewes, Sussex.
From Index of Wills- Prendergast, Susan of 12 St, Anne's Crescent, Lewes, spinster, died June 1899, Probate London 23 June to Bernard Arnold Esquire. (Bernard was the Husband of Mary Catherine).

Death registered as Susan MARY:

Name: Susan Mary Prendergast
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1854
Registration Year: 1899
Registration Quarter: Apr-May-Jun
Age at Death: 45
Registration district: Lewes
Inferred County: Sussex
Volume: 2b Page: 118

Susan in 1891:
1891 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription
High Street, St John Southover, Lewes, Sussex, England

Susan Prendergast Head Single Female 38 1853 Living On Her Own Means Ireland
Rosa Taylor Servant Single Female 15 1876 General Servant Norton

Thank you for your efforts. I have much of the information that you located. I have not found any information that referred to Mary Catherine as "Cissie." could you share the source for that? If Susan were born in 1853, her mother would have been Lucinda Townsend Prendergast but I cannot find her birth in any record nor do I find a birth date for Thomas. Why do you believe Thomas was a son [and not a brother or nephew?] where did you find the info on Susan as listed in #9. I very much appreciate the help and information. Maureen

I have also tried calling the head of the Dominican order in Dublin without success. I was told that all catholic priests were required to have wills so it seemed that the wills of John Pius and William V would have much family information. Any suggestions on how to crack the catholic church>

Your #7, Mary, I believe is the daughter of James Prendergast and Eliza Murphy. this mary was born in 1879 according to the records I found in the General Registry Office in Dublin.

Maureen, the names listed 1- 9 are the names you have in your opening post- I didn't refer to them as the children of James, but putting them in a list helps me to organise the any information I find.

Mary Catherine was referred to as Cissy in Freeman's Journal - Friday 14 May 1886.

You say Mary (Daughter of James and Eliza Murphy) was born in 1879- yet Mary Catherine was recorded as the youngest child of James when she married in 1886.

The info re Susan from Will calenders and census are available from Ancestry
Susan's Will can be ordered online here:

https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Calendar#calendar

The Will of John Pius Prendergast is available to order online here:

https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Calendar?surname=prendergast&yearOfDeath=1889&page=2#calendar

Ireland Calendar of Wills:
Prendergast- James. Letters of administration (with the Will) of the personal estate of James Prendergast, late of Home Ville, Western Road, Cork. Builder who died 16th February 1900 were granted at Cork to Mary Roche (Wife of Thomas Roche) the Residuary Legatee

May also be of interest (Home Ville was on Western Road)

Southern Reporter and Cork Commercial Courier - Tuesday 02 November 1869

Mr Prendergast, builder, Western Road, summoned Mrs Prendergast for repeatedly assaulting him and threatening him with a knife.
...Mrs Prendergast pleaded scandalous defamation by her husband....
....Mr Prendergast stated they had been married three years, both having been married before, but their second marriage has been a very unhappy one....
------------------------------------------

Also a similar incident reported in August of the same year.
------------------------------------------------------

Another similar incident in 1875:

name(s) ELIZA PRENDERGAST
Age 50
Birth year 1825
Year 1875
Date 17-Sep-1875
Role Prisoner
Offence ASSAULT AND THREATEN
Prison CORK CITY
Victim's name(s) JAMES PRENDERGAST
Register title CORK CITY GAOL CONVICTED PRISONERS 1875-1878

According to the above article they had been married 3 years- this looks to be their marriage, BUT James' father is transcribed as THOMAS (not Francis as in your opening post):

Marriage
Name James Prendergast
Spouse's Name Eliza Murphy
Spouse's Birth Date 1828
Spouse's Age 38
Event Date 25 Oct 1866
Event Place St Finbarrs, Cork, Ireland
Father's Name Thomas Prendergast
Spouse's Father's Name Lawrence Odwyer
Marital Status Widowed
Spouse's Marital Status Widowed

Are you sure the daughter Mary born in 1879 was a child of this couple?? Eliza would've been 51 and in 1869 it sounded as if their marriage was breaking up.

I have a copy of the will of James Prendergast. I go to Ireland a couple of times a year to visit relatives. I have a research card for the National Archives. The business about the assaults is fascinating. I have seen the marriage certificate for James Prendergast at St Finbarrs [I actually went to St Finbarr's!] and I think the church record is mistaken. I have seen the record of baptism for James Prendergast and it lists his father and mother and his father as francis. I have had no luck researching the newspapers on line. can you direct me on how to accomplist that? I was also looking for the obit for lucy townsend which I believe and for mary cotter both wives. I agree that 1879 is pretty darn late to be having a kid but the records show James marrying eliza murphy [who was a neighbor on Sundays well] as marrying in 1867-a year after the death of mary cotter. you are fabulous to be so helpful! I wonder why I cant find anything out about William?

There is a small reference to a T J Prendergast at Home Ville:

TO LET- nice house 2 Woodland View, Western Road. Newly done up, perfect sanitary, bath hot and cold. Apply T J Prendergast, Home Ville, Western Road.
-------------------------------------------------------

So wondered if this could be the Thomas you are looking for (Thomas J according to the ad)?? He's not with his daughter in 1901.

Name: Thomas James Prendergast
Age in 1911: 74
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1837
Relation to Head: Father-in-law
Birth Place: Cork, Ireland
Civil Parish: Edgbaston
County/Island: Worcestershire
Street address: 112 Alexandra Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham
Marital Status: Widowed
Occupation: Gentleman, Private Means
Registration district: Kings Norton
Registration District Number: 383
Sub-registration district: Edgbaston
ED, institution, or vessel: 4
Household schedule number: 298
Piece: 17914
Household Members:
Name Age
Thomas James Byrne 34
Mary Anne Byrne 44 Cork
Thomas James Prendergast 74
Mary Cecilia Byrne 10
Beatrice Prendergast Byrne 8

oh, hold on- this is interesting:

Ireland Prison Registers
Name Thos Prendergast
Also Known As Name W J Prendergast (mistranscribed- not on original)
Role of Individual Prisoner
Event Type Prison
Event Date 1900
Event Place Cork County, Cork, Ireland
Residence Place Home Ville Place
Age 66
Birthplace Cork
Birth Year (Estimated) 1834
Prison Cork County
Offense Contempt Of Court
County Cork

In or about 1879, James Prendergast set up a trust for his "9 children" and it was to be administered by Thomas Prendergast. In the trust document [all of this came from a news paper posting that I have] says that James apparently owned many houses on Homeville Road and on Carlysle Terrace Sundays Well. Thomas was in charge of managing the property and collecting the rents. I have one set of the court papers where a daughter Lucy McDonough sued Thomas and brought an application for him to be replaced as trustee. Mary Catherine Arnold and Mary Anne Roche [another sister] joined in the application- I obtained those documents from the national archives from 1900. the news article was provided to me by a cousin-Pauline Ryan- who resides in Dublin. the article [a copy of it] does not identify the newspaper but a hand written note next to it says 1902. maybe it isn't ana rticle so much as a publication in the news paper about the matter? I have a letter from a solicitor [Patrick murphy] of Dublin from April 1900 regarding commencing an action to remove Thomas as trustee and something about the estate of Susan Prendergast

OK, not surprising they wanted him out- he went to prison in 1900. The original document on find my past doesn't say he was also known as WJ.

it says
Thos Prendergast
age 66
Height 5' 5" blue eyes, dark complextion
Born Cork. Last reisidence Home Ville Place
Name and address of Next of Kin: (this is hard to read but looks like) D & WJ Prendergast, Ruby Hill ??
Offence: Contempt of Court
Sentence: Limited to 1 year
Release date: 11th November 1901

somehow I lost part of the thread about Thomas. Maybe Thomas did go to jail for contempt of court. he was supposed to be the trustee of James' trust for his nine children. the note about nine children would tend to confirm that there was a child by Eliza Murphy. James will identifies his wife as "jane" at his death so there is another wife. I haven't found a marriage certificate for james and jane

Possibly the last marriage??

First name(s) James
Last name Prendergast
Registration year 1883
Registered Quarter/Year Apr - Jun 1883
Registration district Cork
Volume 5 Page 119
MarriageFinder™ James Prendergast married one of these people:
Jane Margaret Leader, <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Anastasia Dennehy,
Emily Heffernan,
Mary Barry
Record set Irish Marriages 1845-1958
-------------------------------------------

And this also looks to be Jane, charged with Drunkeness:
name(s) JANE PRENDERGAST
Age 40
Birth year 1846
Where born CORK
Birth county Cork
Residence HOMEVILLS
Year 1886
Date 22-Dec-1886
Role Prisoner
Offence DRUNK
Prison CORK COUNTY
Register title CORK COUNTY GAOL GENERAL REGISTER 1886-1890
---------------------------------------------------------------

And possibly Jane 1901?

Residents of a house 34.2 in Popes Quay (North West Ward, Cork)
Prendergast Jane 50 Female Head of Family Roman Catholic
Birth Place: Warrens Court, Co Cork
Living on Intrest of Government Stocks
Widow

I'll take another look at this tomorrow