Prossors of note

So far we can trace back to Prossors born in the mid to late 1700s but inevitably the families are disjointed.

Early Prossors

THOMAS PROSSOR, who, according to the records of the parish of Finglas, near Dublin, was a brewer towards the close of Charles the Second's reign. The village was a sporting centre and Viscount Blessington's hounds were kennelled there. An inn with the sign of the Red Lion was then one of the landmarks; and Thomas and a second brewer, James Spooner, did a sufficient trade to necessitate the employment of a number of horses.

Prosser, Thomas recorded as holiding land in Tipperary in 1776 at Thurles Lagnafulla & Rathcooneyhttp://www.rootsweb.com/~irltip2/freeholders/freeholders8.htm

The same parish registers also mention a PHILIP PROSSOR or Presser at the close of William's reign. Philip was behind plans for a recreation green for Finglas. "The vestry consented to the site of the village pound, which stood upon a bill, being levelled and planted with trees for the purpose. The projector, who was one of the brewers, Philip Presser, appears to have been a great improver, but the vestry did not allow the pound to he transferred to a new site, on "the big green" near Cardiff's Bridge, until he contributed to the poor fund and covenanted that the recreation ground should be always open to the public and not enclosed. In his design Prossor had in view no doubt the May sports for which Finglas was celebrated throughout the 18th century, and which enjoyed in the reign of "good" Queen Anne much popularity. In "The Smock Race at Finglas," a poet of that time tells how at the bagpipes' sound, the visitors from Dublin - the butcher's wife, the apprentice, and the sempstress - deserted the village inn, and flocked with the rustics to the green, to see a race for the fair sex, in which Oonah, the pride of the mill, won not only a smock but also a husband..."Finglas Mayday Sports

The area from which the pound was removed in 1702 and which was converted into an amenity area became the centre for the annual Mayday sports. A maypole was erected here which was decorated each year for the festival. The promoter behind this scheme was Philip Prossor, a brewer, and from the descriptions of the celebrations it would appear unlikely that he was at any financial loss over the project.

The sports comprised foot, sack and ass races, pole climbing for a prize fixed at the top of a well greased pole, pig chasing, and chasing a bell ringer, the pursuers of whom were blind folded. There was also of course music and dancing. Finglas and Harold’s Cross appear to be the only centres where this English custom of annual sports centred around a maypole were practiced. During this period Finglas sports rivalled Donnybrook fair as a popular attraction but early in the nineteenth century they began to degenerate into an annual bout of drinking and fighting. They were condemned by the clergy and, principally through the influence of Father Henry Young who came to Finglas in 1841, they were finally discontinued about the middle of the century. The maypole stood in the open area which is now at the eastern end of the overhead foot bridge, just outside the Northern Bank building.

THOMAS PROSSOR of BLARNEY was a protestant cotton printer, born in Cork in 1774. In 1798 he took part in the Irish Rebellion. He was sentenced to transportation [to Australia] for life following his conviction for High Treason, "disaffection to Government and administering unlawful oaths". He went out to Australia on the convict ship Minerva in 1800. He was married to Frances Allen. It appears that Thomas was one of the leaders of 300 United Irishmen from Blarney who raided the house of the Rev. William Stopford at Blarney. Stopford took off his nightshirt and hid in the bushes. Tithe books were burnt, furniture, arms and money were taken and the house was wrecked. Mrs Stopford, who remained in the house, was unharmed. Thomas fared better than his compatriot John Buckley, who was executed on June 21, 1799. His body was placed in a butt and buried in "the Croppie's Hole" in the Gaol at Cork, his head was placed on a pike and displayed at Blarney Castle. Other protesters included Thomas Healy and William Riordan of Cloghroe and Daniel O Brien of Killeens who were transportated for life, and Patrick O'Callaghan of Cloghroe received 500 lashes. John Healy, Denis Riordan and Denis Murphy of Cloghroe and Denis Donoghue of Tower were acquitted.
NB: Transcribed from public records by Margaret Moon.

MATTHEW PROSSOR, formerly Merchant in Burges in Flanders, of Waterford , Waterford. will dated May 7, 1755. Will held in National Archives, Kew, but we do have a copyl. No conclusive line of descent.

W PROSSER, Kilkenny, Relief Commision Papers 1845-47, National Archives, Ireland, offer to grind a minimum of 1200 barrels of corn per week for three years at one shilling per barrel using his new 50 horse power water wheel on the Waterford road.

GABRIEL PROSSER OR PROSSOR was an African slave in Henrico, Virginia, USA. He was born in 1776 and took his surname from tobacco plantion owner Thomas Prosser, and his cruel son, Thomas Henry Prosser. If you know Thomas's genealogy, please get in touch - especially if they're Irish Prossors!. Gabriel Prosser and his brother Solomon and Martin have gone down in history as being central to the most far-reaching slave revolt planned in US history. Gabriel was hanged in October 1800 - but his name and bravery live on, a byword for the freedom of black Americans.. More on Gabriel here

Military service Ireland, UK & US

JOSEPH PROSSER won the Victoria Cross during the Crimean War. Although Joseph's name is spelt with an "er", I include him here as he was born in Monegal, King's County, Ireland.. Joseph was a 27-year-old private in the 2nd Battalion, 1st Regiment (later The Royal Scots), when on June 16 1855 , while exposed to enemy cross-fire, he pursued and apprehended a soldier in the act of deserting to the enemy. Then, on August 11 he left the most advanced trench and helped to carry to safety a severely wounded soldier of the 95th Regiment who was unable to move. This act was performed under very heavy fire from the enemy.

CAPTAIN FREDERICK PROSSOR is mentioned inthe Connaught Journal, 1823:
"Military promotions: War Office, April 12: 7th Regiment of Foot: Captain Frederick PROSSOR, from half-pay of the 1st or Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards, to be Captain, vice William Edward PAGE, who exchanges, receiving the difference."

Sgt RICHARD PROSSOR 75th Foot, British Army, won India Mutiny Medal for service in India 1857-59

JOHN PROSSOR fought with the Volunteers of Ireland at the Battle of Camden in February 1780 (US War of Independence)

JOSEPH PROSSOR OR PROSSER, 108th Foot Regiment; 43rd Foot Regt, 55th Foot Regt. Discharged aged 45 after 23 years service, in 1802. Discharge document in the National Archives, Kew.

JOHN PROSSOR PEARCE promoted to assistant paymaster, RN, July 4, 1869. Joined Navy in Liffey, 5 Mar 69

HK PROSSOR, birthplace unknown. Private, temp Lt, Capt in Gloucestershire Regiment 1914-20. Mentions in Despatches, Meritorious Service Medals and Territorial Force Efficiency Medals. Document in the Nationl Archives, Kew.

Prossor professions

JAMES PROSSOR recorded in Co Carlow in A General Directory for the Kingdom of Ireland or Merchants and Traders Most useful Companion, by Richard Lucas, 1788. Possibly a doctor, married to Eliza.

WILLIAM OULTON PROSSOR kept a school in Ballyfermot Castle, Ireland, towards the close of the eighteenth century

Pigot directory, Clonmel, 1824
SIMON PROSSOR, Watchmaker, Dublin Street, Clonmel

Shearman's directory, Clonmel, 1839
ANN PROSSOR, watchmaker, 19 Dublin Street, Clonmel
MISS ANNE PROSSOR nobility, gentry and clergy list, Clonmel
JAMES PROSSOR, resident manager, Co Tipperary Clubhouse, Mall, Clonmel

Slater's Directory, Clonmel, 1846
PROSSOR, R & SON, Watch/Clock Maker, 19 Dublin Street, Clonmel

Slater's directory, Clonmel. 1856
PROSSER, JOHN H 50 Bagwell St, Apothecary,
PROSSOR, JOHN H Medical Attendant, St Mary's Dispensary, Old Bridge, Clonmel
PROSSOR, THOMAS S Watch and Clock Maker, 19 Dublin St, Clonmel

Slater's Directory, 1881, Tramore, Waterford
FANNY PROSSOR, apothecary

Thomas's directory 1909-1901, Tramore, Waterford
ARTHUR PROSSOR, manager, Tramore Railway

1880 Belfast/Ulster Street Directory
SAMUEL R PROSSOR, manager, National Bank, Longford
S.E. PROSSOR, agent, Bank of Ireland, Ennis

Records of Waterford Freemen
PROSSER, SIMON MAX 9 OCT 1834, merchant son of THOMAS PROSSER
PROSSOR, HENRY GRIFFITH 2 AUG 1856, merchant, 28 Queen Street, Trinity Parish, born 5 Jun 1835
PROSSOR, THOMAS 3 OCT 1817, merchant
PROSSOR THOMAS BOYER 5 MAR 1841, merchant, 2 Mall, Trinity Parish, son of THOMAS PROSSOR

Prossor land deals

The representatives THOMAS B PROSSOR owned one acre in Waterford, Ireland, in the latter part of 1870s.

THOMAS PROSSOR: various properties leased or let, in 1851 Griffiths Primary Valuation Name Index, Kilkee Town, part of (Dough)

Prossor marriages in Ireland

Cork Examiner 1862: MARRIAGES On the 28th inst., at Ardfield Church, by the Rev. Richard W. Marmion, uncle to the bride, SAMUEL R PROSSOR, Esq., of the National Bank, Ennis, to Mary Elizabeth, third daughter of Henry Baldwin Beamish, Esq., J.P., Muckruss, Clonakilty, in this county.

Prossor births in Ireland/UK

The Cork Examiner, 1 December 1863
On the 23rd inst., at Montenotte, in this city, the wife of S. EDWARD PROSSOR Esq., of a daughter.

Prossor deaths in Ireland/UK

These deaths are reported in Irish newspapers:
PROSSER, Charles Edward; ; at sea ; Cork Examiner (COR IRL); 1861-11-14; dja.
PROSSER, Emily ( ); ;Sandhurst ENG; Cork Examiner (COR IRL); 1856-9-26; dja,
PROSSOR, Emily Miss; ; Cork City COR IRL>Southampton HAM ENG; Cork Examiner (COR IRL); 1856-3-21; dj
PROSSER, ? "child of Thomas"; ; Blatchly nr Redditch HEF ENG; Cork Examiner (COR IRL); 1865-1-2; dja
PROSSER, Charles; 43; Bethnal Green LND ENG; Cork Examiner (COR IRL); 1865-12-12; dja
PROSSOR, Mary Elizabeth (BEAMISH); 23; Montenotte Cork COR IRL; Cork Examiner; 1863-7-23; dja
PROSSER, Samuel; ; Feckenham HEF ENG; Cork Examiner (COR IRL); 1865-3-9; dja
PROSSER, Samuel "son of Thomas"; 6; ; Cork Examiner (COR IRL); 1865-1-13; dja

Buried at Kilternan Church Of Ireland cemetery, Kilternan, Co Dublin www.interment.net:
PROSSOR, ANNIE HEUSTON, d. 24 Mar 1894, age: 25yr, [AR] - ie born 1869
PROSSOR, SAMUEL RICHARD, d. 16 Mar 1895, age: 65yr, [AR] - ie born 1830

1901 Ireland census

SIMON EDWARD PROSSOR, 66, b Tipperary living in Clare in 1901 with wife Margaret Honory, 57, b Cork, daughters Maude Heuston, 28, b Tipperary, Ethel May, 25, b Tipperary, Gertrude Emily, 23, b Clare, all Church of Ireland, all read-write

Prossors in America

THOMAS PROSSOR witnessed a land purchase by Robert Addams from Henry Chiles in Virginia, USA, on Feb 16, 1729 covering 200 acres at the charmingly named Licking Hole Creek.

PHILIP PROSSOR, married Elener Conner Feb 16 1776 in New York, US. Marriage recorded at Fort Klock Historic Restoration and Indian Castle Church. He is also listed as a soldier fighting for the colonists against the British.

Marriages recorded in van Buren, Michigan, USA:
12 APR 1873 CARRY E PROSSOR to V O Harrison
19 FEB 1877 MARY JANE PROSSER to EDWARD BROTHERTON
27 SEP 1884 CLARRA M PROSSOR to WILLIAM A WARD
A Prossor marriage is also recorded in Spencer, Indiana, USA in the period 1818 - 1842

WILLIAM PROSSOR aged 24, a Mason, emigrated to the USA aboard the vessel Australia, leaving Liverpool, England, and arriving New York 9 December 1863. He was a master mason and travelled in steerage.

JOHN PROSSOR, aged 35, a labourer from Ireland, emigrated to the USA aboard the vessel DeWitt Clinton, leaving Liverpool, England, and arriving New Yourk 26 May 1850. With him (presumably family) were David Prossor, 27, labourer, Winifred Prossor, 24, sempstress [sic] and John Prossor, 11 months.

JOHN PROSSOR (01Jul1834-11Apr1901) married Margaret (1830-1885) in Salisbury Parish,Westmoreland,New Brunswick,Canada m.10Apr1856. Listed on web as part of the Lounsbury family tree.

H KEMP PROSSOR aged 34 years 9 months, emigrated to New York, arriving on August 31, 1896 aboard the ship State of Colifornia. He had departed from Glasgow. H Kemp Prossor is a son of Henry Prossor by his marriage to Miriam Faulkner.

LOUIS A PROSSOR managed an open lawn tennis tournament of the Elberon Club, new Jersey. Date unrecorded but early 1900-1930, as Louis is a son of Henry Prossor.