An important milestone in the life of James and his children was the death of their mother Jenefer in 1827 after the birth of twins at age 43. Presumably the children were cared for by Bathsheba and Jenefer aged 16 and 12 respectively, and James and Samuel were apprenticed as soon as they could be (at age 9).

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There are two schools of opinion regarding James Prior's wife Jenefer:

She was Jenefer Allen, the surname taken from the fact that the first 2 children have "Allen" as their second name. This is persuasive, but not supported by any other evidence, particularly a birth record for a Jenefer Allen in the region at that time.

She was Jenefer Beal(e), the surname taken from Samuel Prior's second name "Beale", which only appeared late in life and was used only once or twice in serious records. This is less convincing in origin, but is better supported by records, most particularly a marriage certificate as follows: "James Pryor a Private in the Cornwall Militia and Jennifer Beal of this Parish", at Stoke Damerel 15 Oct 1803 (very near Pennycross). Supporting this, James's occupation in 1813 at the birth of his son Philip is "Marine". There are also one or two lesser pieces of evidence supporting this choice.

Note that Allen was Jenefer Beale's mother's maiden name, which could explain the use of Allen as a second name, particular since James was probably away on Militia duty at this time, and hence Jenefer had the 'naming rights'.

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