Haplogroup

The Haplogroup is J2 with one person tested as J2b2 shorthand M241

J2  This lineage originated in the northern portion of the Fertile Crescent where it later spread throughout central Asia, the Mediterranean, and south into India. As with other populations with Mediterranean ancestry this lineage is found within Jewish populations.

Relationships

John Townsend of Bucklebury, Berkshire, England, brother of Richard Townsend (of the "Welcome" ship that carried William Penn to Pennsylvania), arriving in Philadelphia around 1712.

Benedictus is of the William Benedictus Townsend / Light Townsend / Thomas Townsend of Pittsylvania lines.  This line appears to be linked to John back in England and may represent a separate immigration to the US.

Interestingly one marker results reflects a difference that clearly shows the two subgroup with not to tell which might represent an earlier common ancestor.

#MISC1 and #82619 (surname Thies) believed they were cousins, but DNA test results indicate they are half brothers.

#11157's ancestor from South Carolina

#9312's ancestor was born ca 1787, Virginia, wife Zaney?, lived in Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, possibly Texas. With the southern locations indicated the line might be in the Buval book listed below.

Documentation

There are three published genealogies that relate to the Benedictus sub family group. 

Benedictus Townsend of South Carolina, Compiled By: Joseph T. and Clarice T. Burval, 2006 (available in print from the TSA) This is a genealogy of the descendants of Benedictus Townsend of South Carolina that focuses primarily on two of his four known sons. They are John Townsend (1740-1786) and Light Townsend (1745-1817), Revolutionary War patriot and soldier respectively, who lived in Craven County (now Marlboro County), South Carolina during the Revolutionary War.

The genealogy starts in 1736 with Benedictus Townsend in Sussex County, Delaware with his wife, Lucilla Light, daughter of William Light. Benedictus removed from Delaware to Granville County, North Carolina in 1750, and in 1764 removed to what was to become Marlboro County, South Carolina. John Townsend (1740- 1786) died in South Carolina. Many of his children moved into Georgia and Florida in the 1800's, leaving many descendants. [Most Townsend descendants in Florida, South Carolina and Texas currently believe they descend from Light Townsend (1745-1817). However, this genealogy shows that they descend from his brother, John Townsend (1745- 1786).] Light Townsend (1745-1817) removed to Kentucky in 1788 where he died leaving many descendants.

This genealogy also shows that Thomas Townsend (1735-1796), who is discussed as Thomas Townsend (1732-1796), in Riely

Leon Townsend's 1973 Genealogy of the Townsend-Townhsend Family, Oklahoma City, OK, 1973 (available on CD from the TSA) is a son of Benedictus Townsend.

A fourth son, William Townsend (1746- ) is included in this genealogy, as a son of Benedictus Townsend, but little is known of him or his descendants.

The descendants of Thomas Townsend (1765-1828) (a son of John Townsend (1740-1786) rather than Light Townsend (1745- 1817) who died in Florida and whose sons went to Texas are discussed in Tula Townsend Wyatt's The Seven Townsend Brothers of Texas 1826-1838, San Marcos, TX 1974 (planned to be available on CD from the TSA)