Pra(n)gnell data at 16/5/2002

FOR THIS DATA

OTHER DATA

Thomas POWELL senior ⁽¹⁾ was christened on 14 Mar 1699/1700 in St Mary's, Chilbolton, Hampshire. He was buried on 26 Jun 1770 in St Mary's, Chilbolton, Hampshire. Parents: John POWELL\DUNFORD yeoman and Elizabeth.

John POWELL\DUNFORD yeoman⁽¹⁾ was buried on 22 Feb 1733/34 in St Mary's, Chilbolton, Hampshire.

Children were: John POWELL\DUNFORD junior, Thomas POWELL senior , Elizabeth POWELL, Mary POWELL, Sarah POWELL, Anne POWELL.

John POWELL\DUNFORD junior⁽¹⁾ was born about 1698 in Chilbolton, Hampshire. Parents: John POWELL\DUNFORD yeoman and Elizabeth.

Anne Pragnel⁽¹⁷⁾ was baptised on 24 Oct 1721 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight.^{(144)
(145)} She was born about 24 Oct 1721 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight.
In the Will of her father dated in 1741 she is listed as first among the daughters, "Ann, Elizabeth, Mary, and Jane." Parents: William Prangnell and Ann Farthing.

Elizabeth Pragnel⁽¹⁷⁾ died before 10 Apr 1726 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight.⁽⁸⁰⁾ She was born about 10 Apr 1726. She was born BET. 23 FEB 1723 - 1724 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight. She was baptised BET. 23 FEB 1723 - 1724 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight.⁽¹⁴⁶⁾ Although baptized on the same day, 10 Apr 1726, as her sister Mary, this does not necessarily mean they are twins. Parents: William Prangnell and Ann Farthing.

John Pragnel⁽¹⁷⁾ was born before 11 Jun 1718 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight. He was baptised on 11 Jun 1718 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight.^{(147)
(148)} He was buried on 28 Sep 1725 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight.^(149)(150)He died about 28 Sep 1725 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight. Parents: William Prangnell and Ann Farthing .

Richard Pragnel⁽¹⁷⁾ was baptised on 13 Oct 1728 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight.^{(151)
(152)} He was born about 13 Oct 1728 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight. He signed a will on 21 Jun 1776 in Godshill Parish, Isle of Wight. He was buried on 21 Jun 1800 in Chale Parish, Isle of Wight.⁽¹⁵³⁾ He died about 21 Jun 1800 in Chale. [Winchester College Muniments. Letter from Miss Suzanne Foster, Deputy College Archivist, to Mr. and Mrs. (William S.) Pregnall, dated 9th Nov 2000]

I have checked the court books for the manor of Barton, Isle of Wight, as promised when I spoke to you earlier this week. The court books date from 1556 to the 1920s but I only looked at the period 1698-1802. I found the following entries which refer to the name Prangnell:

- court book 1761-1768 (ref 23060)
Richard Prangnall listed as a juror at courts held 20 May 1761 and 30 Jul 1765

- court book 1768-1774 (ref 23061)
Richard Prangnall listed asa juror at a court held 26 Jul 1769.

* * * * *

Prangnell, Richard was buried 21 June 1800 in Chale. It is not certain this is the same Richard although Chale and Godshill Parishes border each other. Parents: William Prangnell and Ann Farthing.

Children were: William Pragnell .

Abigel Pragnell⁽¹⁷⁾ was baptised on 14 Jul 1745 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight.^{(154)
(155)} She was born about 14 Jul 1745 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight. Parents: William Prangnell and Abigel aka Abigail.

She was married to Harvy Caws in 1764 in St. Helen's, Isle of Wight.⁽¹⁵⁶⁾ Abigail Prangnell, baptized in Arreton Abigel Pragnell (even though her father's name is spelled William Prangnell), has left Arreton. At the time of her marriage she lives in Yaverland. Her father is a carpenter in St. Helen's at the time of her marriage to Harvy Caws of St. Helens.

Abraham Pragnell⁽²⁶⁾ was born in 1779 in Romsey Hampshire. He died on 3 Mar 1885. Parents: John Prangnell .

He was married to Hannah Maria Gray on 1 Sep 1845. Children were: John Pragnell.

Albert Edward Pragnell^{(47)
(26)} was born on 28 May 1890. He died on 1 Jan 1961. 1 Parents: John Pragnell and Emma Jane Bowles.

Alice Louise Pragnell^{(47)
(26)} was born on 17 Sep 1880. She died in 1924. 1 Parents: John Pragnell and Emma Jane Bowles.

She was married to Mitchell.

Ann Pragnell⁽¹⁷⁾ was baptised on 9 Jul 1749 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight.^{(157)
(158)} She was born about 9 Jul 1749 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight. Parents: William Prangnell and Abigel aka Abigail.

Arthur Pragnell⁽²⁶⁾ was born on 19 Oct 1887. Parents: John Pragnell and Emma Jane Bowles.

Charles Pragnell^{(47)
(26)} was born on 25 Jul 1876. He died on 7 Feb 1965. 1 Parents: John Pragnell and Emma Jane Bowles.

He was married to Edith Weyman.

He was married to Lilly Weyman.

Edith Ellen Pragnell^{(47)
(26)} was born on 2 Jan 1883. 1 Parents: John Pragnell and Emma Jane Bowles.

She was married to Charles William Lucking. Children were: Unknown Lucking.

Elizabeth Pragnell⁽¹⁷⁾ was born before 4 Sep 1796 in Portsea, St. Mary's Parish. She was baptised on 4 Sep 1796 in Portsea, St. Mary's Parish.⁽¹⁵⁹⁾ The only record other than her baptism is her signature "Elisabeth Pragnell" along with her father signature "Henry Pragnall" as witnesses of her sister Mary's wedding to Andrew Anderson on 1 May 1814. It is also noted that she and her sister Mary were baptized the same day, 4 Sept. 1796 in St. Mary's Church, Portsea. However, under Mary's name her age is given as 2 years 4 months. There is no such information about Elizabeth, perhaps implying that she is an infant at her baptism.
In Winchester I searched on microfilm for Portsea, St. Mary's for her marriage or any other Pragnell marriage betweeen May 1814 (when Mary was married) and December 1818 and found none.
In searching for what happened to Elizabeth, I also checked fourteen volumes of THE INDEX TO HAMPSHIRE WEDDINGS, the 1841 Census for any Prangnells/Pragnells in St. Helen's, Ryde, Newchurch (part of Ryde), Brading, and Wootton. Finally I checked the only Methodist Church circuit records before before 1818, but found nothing about Elizabeth. Parents: Henry Pragnell and Mary Nicholas aka Mary Nickles.

Elizabeth Pragnell⁽¹⁷⁾ was baptised on 29 Aug 1790 in Portsea St Mary.⁽¹⁶⁰⁾ He was born about 29 Aug 1790. He died in Sep 1790 in Portsea St Mary. He was buried on 8 Sep 1790 in Portsea St Mary.⁽¹⁶¹⁾ Parents: Henry Pragnell and Mary Nicholas aka Mary Nickles.

Elizabeth Pragnell⁽¹⁷⁾ was born on 2 Oct 1812 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight. She was baptised on 1 Nov 1812.⁽¹⁶²⁾ She was buried on 9 Jun 1822 in of Staples Heath, Arreton Parish.^(163)(164)Parents: Stephen Prangnell and Sarah Chiverton.

Elizabeth Pragnell⁽¹⁷⁾ was baptised on 7 May 1809 in Portsea, St. Mary's Parish.⁽¹⁶⁵⁾ ⁽¹⁶⁶⁾ She was born about 7 May 1809 in Portsea, St. Mary's Parish. Parents: George Pragnell and Mary Isaac.

Emma Jane Pragnell^{(47)
(26)} was born on 2 Jan 1883. 1 Parents: John Pragnell and Emma Jane Bowles.

She was married to Albert Windhurst.

Emmanuel Pragnell⁽¹⁷⁾ was baptised on 29 Feb 1756 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight.^{(167)
(168)} He was born about 29 Feb 1756 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight. He was buried on 19 Sep 1832 in Kingston Parish, Isle of Wight.⁽¹⁶⁹⁾ He died about 19 Sep 1832 in Kingston Parish, Isle of Wight. Parents: Charles Prangnell and Mary Mackett.

He was married to Mary Taylor on 16 Feb 1778 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight.^{(170)
(82)} Children were: John Prangnell, Elias Prangnell, Mary Prangnell, Jane Prangnell, Andrew Prangnell.

Ethel Kate Pragnell^{(47)
(26)} was born on 2 Sep 1892. 1 Parents: John Pragnell and Emma Jane Bowles.

Francis Pragnell⁽¹⁷⁾ was born in 1817 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight.⁽¹⁷¹⁾ David Ward Prangnell's letter to WSP dtd. 2nd March 2000, Attachment, p. 2:
" Stephen and Sarah's daughter Frances (Born 1817 - Arreton) married Eli Kingswell (Born 1819 - Godshill) at Godshill in 1839. Eli was a Blacksmith and Grocer. In 1851 they were living with their family at Roud, Godshill who were: Ernest (Born 1841 - Godshill) and a scholar, Jennett (Born 1843 - Godshill) and a scholar, Leornard (Born 1845 - Godshill and a scholar, Jennett (Born 1843 - Godshill) and a scholar, Leonard (Born 1845 - Godshill) and a scholar, Walter or Walton (Born 1846 - Godshill) and a scholar, and Gains Henry who was eight months old and born in Godshill. Parents: Stephen Prangnell and Sarah Chiverton.

She was married to Eli Kingswell on 6 Oct 1839 in Godshill Parish, Isle of Wight.⁽¹⁷²⁾

Francis Pragnell⁽¹⁷⁾ was born on 14 Nov 1810 in St. Mary's, Portsea.⁽¹⁷³⁾ He was baptised on 9 Feb 1811 in St. Mary's, Portsea.⁽¹⁷⁴⁾ He was buried on 26 Mar 1820 in St. Mary's, Portsea.⁽¹⁷⁵⁾ He died about 26 Mar 1820 in St. Mary's, Portsea. Parents: George Pragnell and Mary Isaac .

George Pragnell⁽¹⁷⁾ was baptised on 21 Dec 1783 in St. Helen's Parish, Isle of Wight.^{(176)
(177)} He was born about 21 Dec 1783 in St. Helen's Parish, Isle of Wight. [Source: Winchester R.O. Portsea St. Mary's - Marriages 1808.]

No. 207
George Pragnell, Bachelor and Mary isaac, Spinster, both of this Parish; were Married in this Church by Banns this twenty second Day of May in the Year One Thousand Eight Hundred and eight By me (Signature not readable), Curate.
This marriage was solemnized between Us s/Geo Prangnell
The Mark X of Mary Isaac
In the Presence of The Mark X of Josh Quinten
The Mark X of Susan Wyatt Parents: Henry Pragnell and Mary Nicholas aka Mary Nickles .

He was married to Mary Isaac on 22 May 1809 in Portsea, Saint Mary's.^{(178)
(179)} Children were: Elizabeth Pragnell , Francis Pragnell, Mary Pragnell .

Henry Pragnell⁽¹⁷⁾ was baptised on 14 Sep 1760 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight.^{(180)
(181) (182)} He was born about 14 Sep 1760 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight. He resided in 1783 in Little St. Johns, St Helens, Isle of Wight.⁽¹⁸³⁾ He was a between 1783 and 1817 in Carpenter & Victualler.⁽¹⁸⁴⁾ He resided between 1802 and 1807 in Hyde Park Corner, Portsea.⁽¹⁸⁵⁾ He resided in 1815 in Church Path, Portsea.⁽¹⁸⁶⁾ He died between 1817 and 1819 in Charleston, Charleston County, SC.^(187)(187) He was buried between 1817 and 1819 in Trinity Methodist Cemetery (no longer exist), Charleston, S.C..^(42)(188)Henry Prangnell is the "grandfather" in the Pregnall family lore who brought his grandson, Henry Pragnell, to Charleston, S.C. in 1816-1819. According to family lore, the elder Henry died of yellow fever in Charleston, which is recorded as having a yellow fever epidemic in 1817. His burial was in a Methodist Cemetery which is now paved over and no records of the burial have been found.

Henry Prangnell married Mary Nickles aka Nichols in St. Helen's Parish on 4 Sep 1781. [The Vicar filled his name in the Register as "Pragnell", but he clearly signs it, "Henery Prangnell.] Nineteen days later, his father William Prangnell, died having been a carpenter in St. Helen's Parish. Henry followed in William's footsteps as a carpenter. He was also a victualler of ships arriving at St. Helen's or Brading in 1783. Henry's uncle Charles, as the oldest son of his generation, had inherited the property of Henry's great great grandfather, William Prangnell of Godshill. Therefore, Henry, as his father William before him, had to make it on his own. His father's estate was valued under 100 pounds and was left to his wife Mary to administer.

Henry's and Mary's first son, William, died in infancy. Their second son, George, was baptized in St. Helens 21 Dec 1783.

Henry owned property At Little St. Johns, St. Helens and insured it with the Sun Life Office Insurance. The policy reads:
(Date on Policy Above: "5th May 1783"]
"477397 Henry Prangnell of Little St. Johns in the Parish of St Helens in the Isle of Wight in 1of_ Hants Carpenter and Victualler. On his now dwelling House only situate
as aforesaid not exceeding Ninety five pounds 95
Lday 1784 household Goods therein only not exceeding Fifty pound 50
wearing apparel therein only not exceeding Twenty pounds 20 Baker utensils & Stock therein only not exceeding Thirty pounds 30 Shop near not exceeding Five pounds 5
(all thatch'd) ___
200
______ duty 3/-
I Grove W Burrell C Qoulis"

[Source: Guildhall Library, Corporation of London, Aldermanbury, London EC2P 2EJ England manuscripts.guildhall@@corporflondon.gov.uk]

[Note: Lday 1784 on policy refers to Our Lady Day (i.e. the Virgin Mary) which, though a variable date depending on which Feast of the Virgin Mary was being celebrated, in 17th/18th Century was in some places celebrated on 15 May. This was a standard day for collection of rents (and insurance premiums?). [Source:COMPACT EDITION OF THE OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY, Vol 1, p.1559] Later, Lady Day was establsihed as 25 March, the Feast of the Annunciation. It was, "one of the quarter-days in England and Ireland, on which rent is made payable. [Source: THE ENCYCLOPEDIA AMERICANA, (New York: Americana Corporation, 1940), Vol XVI, p. 644.]

A Guildhall Library explanation, in part, of Fire Insurance Records states, " Where fire policy registers exist, they generally include the following information: policy Number, name of agent/location of agency; name, status, occupation and address of policy holder; names, occupations and addresses of tenants (where relevant); location, type, nature of construction and value of property insured; premium; renewal date; and some indication of endorsements. (N.B. references to endorsements in Sun policy registers refer to Ms 12160, a series of 168 endorsement books which surive for 1728-1865). Sun fire insrance policies were renewed after five years at which time a new policy was issued under a new number." The three names at the bottom of the policy represent representatives of the insurance company since the same names appear on the two other policies on this page from the Sun Life records.

From the above we can conclude that the policy was purchased on or after 5 May 1773 and that the renewal date would be Lady Day (either May 15 or March 25) five years later. The name Baker under the due date probably indicates that there is a Baker or Baker family living as tenants with the Prangnells.

Shirley Prangnell Creighton in her letter to me about this dated May 18, 2000 writes:
" 1783 of Little St. Johns Henry Prangnell carpenter and victualler Sun Life Office Insurance Policy on Property in St. Helens. N.B. St Helens part of Ryde then. Also with Fire Policy one was given shield to put on house above door if one had fire and you had this, fire was put out (we hope) Very VIP. * If no Shield or Policy perhaps not so speedy or just burnt down as NOT VIP. [ Sunfire Pone-C (sp?)] Only address I could find * Guildhall Library London * ."

Astoundingly, Henry's wife Mary gave birth to a daughter, Jenny, by another man within a year he insures his house. The baptismal record reads, "Pragnell, Jenny St. Helen's 1784, 23 May illegitimate daughter of Mary Pragnell." . Henry took Jenny into his family, but, I surmise, to avoid any further relationship between Mary and the father of Jenny, he then moved his family from St. Helen's to Portsea. Another motivation to move may have been knowledge of the expansion of the Royal Dockyard at Portsea due to the Napoleonic Wars.

The family must have moved to Portsea between 23 May 1784 and 1786. In 1786 he rented his house to a Mr. Lale.

[Source: St.H./Apr/2A/1 "St Helens Quarter Sett (i.e., rent) Book for the Year 1787- @@ 3 on the pound."]
Pounds.Shillings.Pence
1786 Lale for Prangnells House 0. 1. 9
1787 Lale for Prangnells House 0. 0. 9
1788 Lale for Prangnells House 0. 1. 8

Henry and Mary Nichols next child, Henry Nicholson Pragnell, was baptized in Portsea, St. Mary's Parish 12 Oct 1788. He was probably born several years earlier since his age at death was listed in 1816 as 33. That would mean he was born prior to Jenny's baptism in St. Helen's. I doubt that. I suspect his age at death is in error by two years and that he was born about 1785, probably in Portsea, and not baptized till he was perhaps three years old. The other possibility is that he was born in 1783 in St. Helen's parish, but that he was not baptized at the same time as Jenny, for that may well have been a very private baptism.

I believe the shame of Henry and Mary and the fear in Henry of further involvement between his wife and the father of her daughter Jenny were the motivations for this family to move from the Isle of Wight. Although in the contemporary mind this may seem unlikely, the following from the minutes in Arreton Parish of the Account Book of Overseers of the poor (incl. details of rates, & actions of vestry meetings 1741-1758 (source 1B/2 1739-57; ARR/PR/6) may indicate the 18th Century moral sensibilities which greeted Mary and Henry upon the illegitimate birth of Jenny.
"Att our Publick Vestry mett (according to Notice given in our Parish church on Sunday last the 23 of December 1753 - It is mutually agree by us whose hands are hereunto sett that the Bastard Child of Mary Bagster laid to Robert Kaymer son of Robert Kaymer of Guilford that the said Robt Kaymer Senior giving good and sufficient security of Indemnification his son is att full liberty to walk where he Pleases.
As wittness our hands (9 Vestry signatures)

The bastard child of Mary Nichols Prangnell in St Helen's may well have caused a permanent separation between them and the Prangnell family of Arreton due to the same sense of shame on both sides. It is my suspicion, however, that alienation had already occurred between Henry's father, William Prangnell, and the family at Arreton. This alienation would have resulted from William's two appearances in Court in Barton Manor claiming land that had gone to others in the family.

Why did they move to Portsea four miles across the Solent from St. Helen's Parish, Isle of Wight? First, it was a relatively short trip by boat, and there was much intercourse between the two islands. (Portsea was actually an island also although considered part of the English mainland.) Secondly, there were jobs there for a carpenter and victualler at the Royal Naval Dockyard at Portsmouth. Thirdly, I think Henry's aunt Mary, the sister of his father Wiliam who married Robert Baker in Portsea, lived there for a short while and thus provided them with a "roof over their heads" when they arrived. Also, according to the fire insurance policy, there were Bakers living in the cottage with them at Little St. John's, St. Helen's Parish.

Henry's aunt Mary (the sister of William and his uncle Charles) married Robert Peach in 1743. He died, and she then married Robert Baker (already twice married) in Portsea 11 May 1784. I think Henry and his wife Mary, when they left St. Helen's Parish, Isle of Wight to go to Portsea, may well have lived with his Aunt Mary and Robert Baker until they got established. We know that Robert and Mary went back to Chale, his home parish on the Isle of Wight, since they are both buried there. More significant, however, regarding Robert and Mary Bakers' move back to the Isle of Wight is the mention of " my brother in law Robert Baker of Chale," in the 1888 Will of Charles Prangnell, the uncle of Henry. Robert Baker is made one of the Trustees to sell the land called Hayle to cover Charles's debts. The great irony in this is that Henry's father, William, has placed claim on this land for his son Henry, at Barton Manor court on 8 August 1778 when Henry was only eighteen years old. It seems possible to me that the sister of Charles and William Prangnell, Mary who married Robert Peach then Robert Baker, played the role of reconciler, or at least intermediary, between the Prangnells of Arreton and the Pregnalls of Portsea.

Residence in Portsea changed from time to time as the fortunes of the family waxed and waned. Henry and Mary Pragnell lived at Hyde Park Corner, Portsea, from 1802 to 1808 . (This is now Winston Churchill Avenue.) The first hint of this came from the Portsmouth Record Office Poor Rates book 1796-1802. The Poor Rates were a tax on homeowners to support the building of a Poor House in Portsmouth. In the listing of February, 1802 at Hyde Park Corner is listed "Hen Spragnell `to poor'." Since there were no other Poor Rates books to check, we found in the Gaol Rate Book ( "A rate or Assessment made the Eighth day of July 1806 upon the Occupiers of Lands House Shops Warehouse Valuts Coach house Cellars Stable Gardens Tenements Tyther and Hereditaments within the said Borough and the Liberties thereof of Sixpence in the Pound of the yearly Rent or Value of such Lands, Houses, Shops etc. Hereditaments for the purpose mentioned in a certain Act of Parliament entitled "An Act for Building a New Gaol in the Borough of Portsmouth in the County of Southampton by us two of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the Borough aforesaid authorized by and under the said Act to make the same and amounting to the Sum of One Thousand and Seven hundred and Twenty Seven Pounds two Shillings {errors in casting Excepted}. . . . . such Rates and Sums of Money as assessed or rated with the Parish of Portsea.")
The entries for 1806-Portsea "Hyde Park Henry Pragnell 6 (pounds) 0 (shillings) 3 (pence)."
" " " 1807- "Hyde Park Henry Pragnell 6/ 0/ 3/"
" " " 1808- "Hyde Park Henry Pragnell 6/ 0/ 3/"
There is no listing for him in Hyde Park or elsewhere that I could discern through the end of the Gaol Rate Book in 1810. From this we can conclude that Henry Pragnell was definitely living at Hyde Park (Corner) [We asked the Record Office Superintendent about Hyde Park Corner versus Hyde Park, and she said they were the same address.] In 1802 he was too poor to pay the rate. Later in 1806-1808 he paid 6 pounds 3 pence, and an evaluation of his property at the established rate of 6 pence in the pound. I may be mistaken in my formulation, but I think that means Henry Pragnell's property was valued at 241.5 pounds. That is compared to his house on at Little St. Johns, St. Helen's, valued at 95 pounds.

To have afforded a house at Hyde Park Corner Henry's income must have been good. If he worked at the Dockyard as a Shipwright, he would have earned about 4 pounds a week. [Source:
Record Office: Portsmouth, 2000. From "Diary of a Dockyard Official," 1813: "High wage with Some of the Shipwt. of the Yard Sence the weekly Pay 4 Pound ad some The Moneys Come into the Yard this Morning for the People of the Yard."] Even if he were only a ships carpenter, his wages would have been adequate.

Mary Pragnell's, "abode" at her death in 1815 is recorded as "Church Path." This is the abode listed for Francis, Henry and Mary's grandson who dies at age 10 in 1820; therefore, this house must have also been inhabited by George, her son, and his family. Henry and Mary with children have probably moved there, possibly moving in with their son George and his family, after leaving Hyde Park. Church Path still exist on contemporary maps of Portsea. Church Path is approximately two thirds of a mile from what was formerly Hyde Park Corner.

In Portsea George the oldest child married Mary Isaac in 1809 and they had three children- Elizabeth, Francis, and Mary- and remained in Portsea. Their son, Francis, died at age 10 in 1820.

Henry Nicholson as a young man traveled to London and on 26 May 1809 in St. Mary-the-Virgin, London married Eleanor Bratt, b. 1790. They had one child, Henry, born Dec 3, 1809 and baptized at 28 days on Dec 31, 1809 in St. Mary-the-Virgin, Rotherhithe Parish, London. [It is fascinating that family lore had this Henry from the Isle of Wight, but at age 22 when he became a naturalized citizen of the U.S.A. in Charleston, S.C., he stated he was from London, England1]

There were three significant events between 1814 and 1816:

First, the penultimate child of Henry and Mary, named Mary, b 1794 in Portsea married Andrew Anderson 1 May 1814. The Marriage Certificate from St. Mary's, Portsea reads:
"Andrew Anderson of the Parish of North Shields, in the County of Northumberland, Bachelor, and Mary Pragnell of this Parish, Minor, were married in this Church by License with Consent of her Father this first Day of May in the Year One thousand eight hundred and fourteen By me s/Nichs Durssell. (sp?) Curate. This Marriage was solemnized between us s/ Andrew Anderson s/ Mary Pragnell. In the Presence of s/ Elisabeth Pragnell, s/ Henry Pragnell.
No. 733
The exciting thing about this marriage certificate is that as a witness to the marriage the signature of Henry (it could be read Henery) Pragnell is in the same handwriting as that of Henery Prangnell at his own marriage on the Isle of Wight to Mary Necles/Nichols. The other witness has the signature of "Elisabeth Pragnell;" she was baptized the same day as Mary, 4 September 1796 at St. Mary's, Portsea. But, there is no age given for her at her baptism. Mary's age is given as "2 years, 4 months old." Therefore, Elisabeth was probably an infant at her baptism, but at the wedding of Mary, aged 20 (a minor) Elisabeth is seventeen or eighteen.

Second, Mary Nichols Pragnell is buried in Portsea, St. Mary's Parish 10 Dec. 1815 at age 56.

Third, "Henry Pragnell of Portsea age 33" (whom I think is Henry Nicholson Pragnell) is buried in Wootton Parish, Isle of Wight, 24 January 1816. Perhaps Eleanor, Henry Nicholson Pregnall's wife, had died in London at the birth of a second child. (I could not find a source.) Henry Nicholson then would have moved back to Portsea where the grandparents Henry and Mary could care for his son, Henry, b. 1809.

Henry must have reflected on his situation. (1) He and Mary have lost three children in early infancy in Portsea: Elizabeth, b. 1790, d. 1790 in Portsea; William b. 1792, d. 1792 in Portsea; and James, b 1793, d. 1796. (2) His children George and Mary have married. (3) His wife, Mary, has died,
and he and his daughter Elizabeth were left with a six year old boy to care for while Henry Nicholson, the boy's father works. (4) Then Henry Nicholson died in 1816. (5) Henry had probably lost his job at the Royal Dockyard due to layoffs as the Napoleonic wars came to an end. (I have no evidence he was employed there, but I'm hoping that the Naval Dockyard Society, which I have joined, will produce some evidence for me.)

After the death of his son, Henry Nicholson Pragnell, in 1816, Henry, I think, took his grandson, Henry Pragnell, and in 1816-1817 they made their way from England to the United States. Henry, the grandfather, who had been a victualler of ships and quite possibly a ship's carpenter at the Royal Dockyards, Portsmouth knew the waterfront and ships. From wherever they left, he may have signed on as crew taking his grandson with him. I think he was ready to start over in a new land.

He must have known someone in Charleston, S.C., for a "Mr. Pregner and son" arrived in Charleson, South Carolina from New York as passengers aboard the Sloop Victor. (Source: The Times of Charleston, Saturday Evening, September 20, 1817 list on page 3 under "Ship News" the following: Sloop Victor, Weeks, New-York 6 Day. Dry Goods, Hay, Apples, Onions, Chese, Butter, Salmon, Moses & Co. R. Heriot, A Poujaud, J.B. Lemaitre, R.W. Otis, Schench & Turner, Johnson & Maynard. Milliken Primerose & Co. A. Smylie, M. Kelly, and Thomas Folker. Passengers- Captain Cooper, Mr. Walter and Mr. Pregner & Son. Yesterday, in lat 33,25 long 77,40, spoke a Carthangenian armed brig on a cruse.)

"Mr. Pregner and Son" are, I think, Henry Pragnell and his grandson Henry Pragnell; they, however, arrived from New York. Therefore, there must have been a reason for them to continue their journey to Charleston, S.C. In my mind are the possibilities that they knew either the Bartons or Bakers of Charleston, but I have not yet established that these Bartons and Bakers were related to the Bartons or Bakers of the Isle of Wight or other parts of Hampshire County.

Family lore is consistent that the grandfather, Henry, died of yellow fever after arrival in Charleston, S.C. and was buried at the original Methodist Church in Charleston. The church building moved at a later date from 126 Market St. to Meeting St. There is no graveyard left at the original site. There was a mild yellow fever epidemic in 1817 in Charleston. The grandson, Henry Pragnell, was placed in the Charleston Orphan House on February 25, 1819 under the name "Henry Pregnale." He was nine years old as recorded.

Family lore also is consistent that Henry and his grandson Henry came to the U.S.A. with a Mr. and Mrs. Baker. Mrs. Baker was said to be the grandfather Henry's sister. The Bakers had a son named Charles with them. In the lore the adult Bakers also died of yellow fever, and Charles Baker, the child, also was placed in the Charleston Orphan House, but there is no record of his ever being admitted. Henry did have a sister, Jane, who may have married a Baker and had a son named Charles. I have spend endless hours checking out Bakers. Could it be that the lore is generally correct but in detail in error? That is, a Baker couple did come with Henry and his grandson. Possibly, Mrs. Baker was not Henry's sister, but his daughter Elisabeth, who had married a Mr. Baker before departure, and there was no Baker boy. Or possibly Elisabeth stayed on in Portsea or the Isle of Wight and eventually married, and the Mrs. Baker is another relative of Henry, the grandfather.

We know from reading above that Henry's aunt Mary married Robert Baker in Portsea although they later moved back to the parish of Chale on the Isle of Wight. We also have the Baker name on the Fire Insurance Policy where it most probably means "tenants." But, there are many Bakers in Portsea in this period. For example, I found the following document in Portsmouth:
[Source: Portsmouth Record Office 2000- Document Q16/3/2/1 - "The Articles of a Society Established by the Name of Union Society, in the Island of Portsea - Commenced on the 13th February, 1815.] "The purpose of this society of dockyard workers was to establish "a malthouse, Brewery, and other necessary Buildings for the purpose of being supplied the article of Beer, at a reasonable price; by a subscription of Ten Shillings for stock money to be paid in one month." Joseph Baker was one of twenty-four directors named. The membership included five other Bakers and one William Pragnell (not immediately related to us as far as I can discern.)
If a couple or family of Bakers did travel to the USA with Henry the grandfather and Henry Pragnell, there are certainly a lot of Bakers to whom they could be related in Portsea and the Isle of Wight.

Henry's personal motives for leaving England for America taking his grandson with him have already been enumerated. Why did he not begin anew on the Isle of Wight? Already prejudiced against the Isle because of the shame of Jenny's illegitimacy and recognition that the economy of the Isle was in very bad shape following the cessation of the Napoleonic Wars, he concluded there was no future there. Little did he realize that death by yellow fever awaited him upon his arrival in Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.A.

The grandson, Henry Pragnell, was entered in the Charleston Orphan House as "Henry Pregnale Feb. 25, 1819. First indentured to William Michell, a "practitioner of medicine," family lore says he was mistreated by Michell, and the indenture was ended on Mar. 11, 1824. He was transferred to William Bull, a house carpenter and grocer, on February 7, 1825 and with him he learned carpentry. This young Henry was befriended by the Barton family and married Sarah Barton. They had at least three children. Later he married Eleanor Jane Stewart aka Stuart who bore him thirteen children. I have documentation that Henry Pragnell, the grandson, was born in London 31 Dec 1809 and died in Charleston, South Carolina, USA in 3 July 1902.

Parents: William Prangnell and Jane aka Jenny Chessel.

He was married to Mary Nicholas aka Mary Nickles on 4 Sep 1781 in St. Helen's, Isle of Wight.^(189)(190) He was married to Mary Nicholas aka Mary Nickles on 4 Sep 1781 in St. Helens Parish, Isle of Wight.⁽¹³⁴⁾ ⁽²⁰⁾ Children were: William Pragnell aka Will Prangwell, George Pragnell , Jenny Pragnell, Henry Nicholson Pragnell, Elizabeth Pragnell, William Pragnell, James Pragnell, Mary Pragnell, Elizabeth Pragnell.

Henry Pragnell⁽¹⁷⁾ was born on 12 Feb 1823.⁽¹⁹¹⁾ He was baptised on 9 Mar 1823 in Carisbrooke Parish, Isle of Wight.⁽¹⁹¹⁾ Parents: Mark Prangnell and Anne .

Henry Pragnell⁽¹⁷⁾ was baptised on 12 Sep 1813 in Carisbrook Parish, Isle of Wight.⁽¹⁹²⁾He was born about 12 Sep 1813. Parents: Mark Prangnell and Louisa.

Henry Nicholson Pragnell⁽¹⁷⁾ was baptised on 12 Oct 1788 in Portsea, St Mary's Parish.^{(193)
(194)} He was born about 12 Oct 1788 in Portsea St Marys.⁽⁸⁰⁾ He died in Jan 1816.⁽²⁰⁾ He was buried on 24 Jan 1816 in Wooton Parish, Isle of Wight.^{(195)
(196) (20)} Henry Nicholson Pragnell was born about 1775 either on the Isle of Wight or in Portsea. He is baptized in St. Mary's Parish Portsea 12 October 1788, probably at the age of about three years. Nothing is known of his early life. At some point he left for London, and there married Eleanor Bratt, who apparently had grown up in London. She was baptized at St. Mary-the-Virgin, Rotherhithe Parish, London on 30 January 1791, the daughter of Samuel and Mary Bratt. Her age at baptism is recorded as 34 days, meaning she was born 28 December 1790. Their son, Henry Pragnell, was born Dec. 3, 1809 in London just seven months after the marriage, and at age 28 days was baptized at St. Mary-the-Virgin, Roherhithe Parish. This church and parish is on the South bank of Thames River in an area that is generally called Surrey. Interestingly, but unrelated, it was from there that the Mayflower began its journey toward America. There is no record of other children being born to the couple that I have found.

It is quite possible that Eleanor Bratt Pragnell died at childbirth with a second child who also died. Since her family lived there, quite possibly she was buried privately by them. This would have left Henry Nicholson and his son, Henry, an infant of a year or more, and my hypothesis is that he returned to Portsea with his infant son and sought work there.

The next record we have of him is "Henry Pragnell of Port Sea, age 33, was buried 24 January 1816" in Wootton Parish, Isle of Wight. The Wootton Parish Church is near the sea, and only about four miles from Portsmouth and Portsea directly across the Solent. Whether he died in Portsea, on a ship or in the waters of the Solent, or in Wootton Parish, Isle of Wight, we know not.

It is Henry Nicholson Pragnell's son, Henry Pragnell aka Pregnall, who comes to Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.A. and, after serving two indentures as an orphan, marries twice and becomes the progenitor of all Pregnalls in the United States.
Parents: Henry Pragnell and Mary Nicholas aka Mary Nickles.

He was married to Eleanor Bratt on 28 May 1809 in St. Mary-the-Virgin, Rotherhithe Parish, London.^{(197)
(198)} He was married to Eleanor Bratt on 28 May 1809 in St. Mary the Virgin, Rotherhithe, London, England.^(199)(20) Children were: Henry Pragnall aka Pregnall.

James Pragnell⁽¹⁷⁾ was born about Jun 1793 in Portsea St Mary. He was baptised on 10 Jun 1793 in Portsea St Mary.⁽²⁰⁰⁾ He died in Jan 1796 in Portsea St Mary. He was buried on 20 Jan 1796 in Portsea St Mary.⁽²⁰¹⁾ Parents: Henry Pragnell and Mary Nicholas aka Mary Nickles.

Jane Pragnell⁽¹⁷⁾ was born before 24 Oct 1756 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight. She was baptised on 24 Oct 1756 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight.^{(202)
(203)} Parents: William Prangnell and Jane aka Jenny Chessel.

Jane Pragnell⁽¹⁷⁾ was born BET. 17 FEB 1733 - 1734. She was baptised BET. 17 FEB 1733 - 1734 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight.^{(204)
(205)(206) (207)} Parents: William Prangnell and Ann Farthing.

Children were: William Prangnell .

She was married to John Bull on 17 May 1754 in Portsea, Saint Mary's.⁽²⁰⁸⁾ The Jane Pragnell who married John Bull in Portsea may or may not have been this Jane Pragnell.

Jenny Pragnell⁽¹⁷⁾ was baptised on 23 May 1784 in St Helens Parish, Isle of Wight.^{(209)
(210)} She was born about 23 May 1784 in St Helen's, Isle of Wight. The record of her baptism states Jenny is the "Illegitimate daughter of Mary Pragnell."
Henry's wife, Mary, has a child by another man, and Henry, to avoid further such shame, moves his wife and children to Portsea. It is there that his next child, Henry Nicholson Pregnall, most probably is born. Perhaps the use of the middle name (not yet common in his time) was to underline that Henry was the son of both Henry Pragnell and Mary Nichols.

We do not know what became of Jenny. There is a record of a Jane Pragnell buried at Wootten, age 30 of Arreton, on 8 January 1804. Perhaps this is Jenny. Though baptized in St. Helen's in 1784, she may not have gone to Portsea with the family and stayed with relatives in Arreton. The age 30 could simply be in error by ten years or a mistake by the Vicar of Wootten. More likely, these are two different people. Parents: Henry Pragnell and Mary Nicholas aka Mary Nickles.

John Pragnell^{(47)
(26)} was born on 25 Mar 1849. He died on 3 Mar 1904. Parents: Abraham Pragnell and Hannah Maria Gray.

He was married to Emma Jane Bowles on 27 Dec 1883. Children were: John William Pragnell, Charles Pragnell, Alice Louise Pragnell, Emma Jane Pragnell, Edith Ellen Pragnell, Arthur Pragnell, Albert Edward Pragnell, Ethel Kate Pragnell.

John William Pragnell⁽²⁶⁾ was born on 11 Aug 1875. He died on 16 Mar 1948. Parents: John Pragnell and Emma Jane Bowles.

He was married to Susan Jane Biggs.

He was married to Kate Budd . Children were: James McNulty.

Louisa Pragnell⁽¹⁷⁾ was baptised on 12 Sep 1813 in Carisbrook Parish, Isle of Wight.⁽²¹¹⁾She was born about 12 Sep 1813. Parents: Mark Prangnell and Louisa.

Mary Pragnell⁽¹⁷⁾ was born about May 1794 in Portsea St Mary. She was baptised on 4 Sep 1796 in Portsea St Mary.⁽²¹²⁾ Parents: Henry Pragnell and Mary Nicholas aka Mary Nickles.

She was married to Andrews Anderson on 1 May 1814 in St. Mary's Portsea. [Source: Record Office, Hampshire County, Winchester, 2000, Fiche St. Mary's Portsea Marriages 1814]

Page 245
Marriages solemnized in the Parish of Portsea in the County of Shouthampton in the Year 1814.

Andrew Anderson of the Parish of North Shields in the County of Northumberland, Bachelor and Mary Pragnell of this Parish were married in this Church by License with Consent of her Father this fist Day of May in the Year One thousand eight hundred and fourteen By me Nch Dursell (sp?), Curate.
This Marriage was solemnized between us s/Andrew Anderson
s/ Mary Pragnell
In the Presence of s/ Elisabeth Pragnell
s/ Henery Pragnell
No. 733

[The greatest significance of this marriage certificate is the signature of the witnesses. The signature of Henery Pragnell is surely that of the signature of Henery Prangnell on his own marriage certificate 4 September 1781. This is the surest proof I have that these two Henrys are the same!]

Mary Pragnell⁽¹⁷⁾ was baptised in 1812 in St. Mary's, Portsea.^{(213)
(214)} She was born about 1812. Parents: George Pragnell and Mary Isaac.

Mary Anne Pragnell⁽¹⁷⁾ was born on 26 Jan 1808 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight.⁽²¹⁵⁾She was baptised on 7 Feb 1808 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight.⁽²¹⁶⁾ Parents: Stephen Prangnell and Sarah Chiverton.

She was married to John Jones on 30 May 1830 in Northwood Parish, Isle of Wight.⁽²¹⁷⁾

William Pragnell⁽¹⁷⁾ was baptised on 21 Sep 1826 in Newport Wesleyan, Newport. He was born about 21 Sep 1826. This William could have been born much earlier if he was baptized or Re-baptized in the Methodist group in Newport. Parents: Matthew Prangnell and Mary Sibbick.

William Pragnell⁽¹⁷⁾ was born about May 1792 in Portsea St Mary. He was baptised on 27 May 1792 in Portsea St Mary.⁽²¹⁸⁾ He died in Oct 1792 in Portsea St Mary. He was buried on 27 Oct 1792 in Portsea St Mary.⁽²¹⁹⁾ Parents: Henry Pragnell and Mary Nicholas aka Mary Nickles.

William Pragnell⁽¹⁷⁾ was baptised on 21 Jul 1751 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight.⁽²²⁰⁾He was born about 21 Jul 1751 in Arreton Parish, Isle of Wight. Parents: Richard Pragnel and Sarah .

William Pragnell⁽¹⁷⁾ was born about Jan 1742. Parents: William Prangnell and Abigel aka Abigail.

Mark Prangnall⁽¹⁷⁾ was born in 1824. Parents: John Prangnell and Maria Woodford .

Charity PRANGNEL (d.y.)⁽¹⁾ was christened on 13 Apr 1834 in St Mary the Less, Chilbolton, Hampshire. She was buried on 9 Jan 1838 in St Mary the Less, Chilbolton, Hampshire. Parents: Thomas PRANGNELL and Ann MIST.

Elizabeth PRANGNEL⁽¹⁾ was born on 20 Mar 1827 in Chilbolton, Hampshire. She was christened on 19 May 1827 in St Mary the Less, Chilbolton, Hampshire. Parents: Thomas PRANGNELL and Ann MIST.

Robert PRANGNEL (d.y.)⁽¹⁾ was christened on 6 Jan 1839 in St Mary the Less, Chilbolton, Hampshire. He was buried on 18 Jan 1849 in St Mary the Less, Chilbolton, Hampshire. Parents: Thomas PRANGNELL and Ann MIST.

Michael Garreth Prangnell (Pragnel)⁽¹¹⁶⁾ ⁽⁸⁾ was born on 16 Apr 1971. He ADDR 3016 East 17th Street Vancouver British Columbia Canada USV 1A8 on 11 Jan 1997. He was a Skate Boarder.⁽⁷⁾ 1 Parents: Michael James Prangnell and Mary Gardiner.

(Mary) Emily Jane Prangnell^{(44)
(8)} was born on 8 Dec 1869 in Brighton Road, Kingston-Upon-Thames. 1 Parents: Charles (the Orphan) Prangnell and Ruth Hartfield.

She was married to Wiliam Rowland Head on 26 Dec 1887 in Hellingly Parish Church, Sussex. Children were: Mary Head, Charles Head.

Ada Prangnell⁽⁶⁹⁾ was born in 1875 in Lambeth, Surrey. She died in 1889. Parents: Edward Prangnell and Mary Unknown.

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Please beware! The information here has been transcribed from indexes or supplied to me by others. There may be inaccuracies in the original data or in its transcription. Please check from the original source if the information is important to you.