Logo

11 Facts About Joseph Prentis

1.

Joseph Prentis represented Williamsburg in the Virginia House of Delegates, and served as that body's Speaker from 1786 until 1788.

2.

From 1788 until his death, Prentis was a judge in the General Court of Virginia.

3.

Joseph Prentis was the youngest son of Williamsburg merchant William Prentis and his wife, the former Mary Brooke.

4.

Joseph Prentis was admitted to the Virginia bar and began a private legal practice.

5.

When George Wythe was away representing Virginia at the Continental Congress, Joseph Prentis was Williamsburg's other delegate in the Fourth Virginia Revolutionary Convention, but was replaced by Edmund Randolph in the Fifth Virginia Revolutionary Convention.

6.

Joseph Prentis became a member of the Virginia Privy Council in 1778, serving under Governor Patrick Henry.

7.

Joseph Prentis continued as such until his death two decades later.

8.

Also, Joseph Prentis was one of the revisers of Virginia's legal code in 1792.

9.

Joseph Prentis married Susan Caroline Reddick, daughter of one-term delegate Robert Moore Reddick and granddaughter of multi-term delegate Willis Riddick of Nansemond County.

10.

Joseph Prentis enjoyed gardening and his papers, correspondence and even the naming of his home demonstrate that interest.

11.

Judge Joseph Prentis died on the 18th of June in 1809 at the age of 55.