William Prentis
William Prentis was born in England and became the leading merchant of early 18th century Williamsburg, Virginia. He was also the father of John Prentis, who served as mayor of Williamsburg from 1759 to 1760; and Joseph Prentis, who represented Williamsburg in the Virginia House of Delegates, serving as that body's Speaker from 1786 until 1788.
Biography
Early life
William was not an orphan, yet his widowed father, John Prentis, placed him at Christ's Hospital, London, for the purpose of education which would lead to the widest possible future prospects. He entered that institution in the spring of 1707, and left in 1714/15 about age 15/16 when he emigrated to Williamsburg, Virginia for an indentured apprenticeship.Business
Prentis' seven-year apprenticeship assisting Archibald Blair M.D. in his ordinary store began a successful business career. About 1733 he took over management and purchased shares of that business. At that time, he also renamed the store William Prentis and Company. The enterprise continued to prosper, and when William died in 1765 he was the majority shareholder having one of the largest personal fortunes in Williamsburg. In fact, the store was operated continuously from 1702 to about 1780 when Richmond became the capital of Virginia and trade slowed considerably.Prentis Store building
The Prentis Store is the oldest surviving commercial structure in Williamsburg. Although the enterprise originated with Archibald Blair, it was William Prentis that constructed the brick building which has stood tall on the corner of Duke of Gloucester and Colonial Streets since 1739. Throughout the span of 200 plus years the building housed a variety of businesses, right into the early twentieth century. Now part of Colonial Williamsburg, the initial restoration erased all evidence of previous uses. A further restoration in 1972 returned the building entrance to the original above grade height.Marriage and children
William Prentis married Mary Brooke in 1723. They had six children who lived to adulthood.John Prentis
William Prentis
Daniel Prentis
Sarah Prentis Waters
Elizabeth Prentis
Joseph Prentis