1836 December 19 – born in Lambeth of John William Prior, a jeweller and Ann nee Wyburn
1851 Clerk in the London Docks
1865 departs Hong Kong
1866 William Grant and British born Edward Prior obtained 14 two year passports for Matsui Gensui XIII, his wife Haru (27, stage name Konomoto), his daughters Mitsu (who did not travel) and Saki and son Kunitarō. Also Yanagawa Chōjurō/Asanosuke (Asakichi), his wife Kiku, his son Chōnosuke and daughter Nobu. Passports as servants for the Yokohama group of Kosa(n)kichi (Torigata), Kamekichi (aged 23), Inosuke, Kakichi (stage name Kotaki) and Torakichi/Tarakichi (a child).
1867 February 2nd – Matsui Gensui troupe lands in Southampton on the Tanjore with Matsui Gensui XIII’s wife Haru, daughter Saki aged 13 and son Kunitaro aged 6/7 and a troupe of 12 performers in total. William Grant and Edward Prior were the proprietors and managers, Andrew Nimmo was the agent. Also J Mitchell.
1867 April – marries Emily Elizabeth Bryant in Redgrave, Suffolk. Described as “formerly of China and Japan”
1868 May – The Theatrical Lounger receives a letter from Mr Prior protesting about his and Mr Grant’s troupe being called an imposter, saying the ladies were the first to have left Japan, before Risley’s troupe. The Theatrical Lounger says he meant they were not as remarkably talented as they claimed.
1871 manager of Lincoln Club in Lincoln
1881 Inn keeper and restaurant proprietor in Yorkshire
1887 Freemason
1891 Hotel proprietor in St Andrews
1899 dies aged 62
Ninjin 