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James Neely |
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Background Information and Comments |
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Haplogroup R1b1b2 Predicted, Shorthand M-269 Townsend Genealogical Journal (extract from) The Townsends of Lynn, Massachusetts: Thomas, Andrew & Daniel By James Neely Townsend In 1630 John Winthrop sailed to America with a thousand or so Puritans and settled near Boston. These were the first of many who were to follow in the next few years and call themselves the Massachusetts Bay Colony with Winthrop as their first governor. Thomas Townsend, along with his wife and possibly their newborn son, left England about 1637 for the New World. He was forty-three years old. Thomas is considered to be the son of Henry Townsend and Margaret Forthe and was probably born at Bracon Ash, Norfolk, England where he was christened 8 Jan 1594/5. Thomas Townsend was connected to Governor Winthrop's first two wives: Mary Forthe and Thomasine Clopton. His mother Margaret Forthe was a cousin of Winthrop's first wife and his step-grandmother was related to the second. These relationships and the fact that the Puritans suffered under the rule of Charles I, probably lead Thomas to seek a new life in the colonies. Thomas and his wife Mary Newgate were granted 60 acres of land in the town of Lynn, Massachusetts in 1638. This was part of more than 800 acres that Lord Brook distributed in the Lynn plantation and was described as follows: The Plantation of Lynn is situated on the northern side of Massachusetts, between Salem and Boston. It extends six miles on the sea shore and five miles into the woods. The Southern portion is a long, narrow prairie defended on the North by a chain of Rocky hills. There is an abundance of water: having the Saugus river on the West, the ocean on the East and lovely lakes to the North. It is a place of beautiful groves, secluded valleys, and high hills. The forest is covered with ancient trees, untouched and never disturbed except by storms of the centuries. There is much wild life to be seen — Eagles, Deer, Fox, Wolves, and Wildcat. The lakes and streams are full of fish. Truly, - - - This is a settler's dream! Thomas also bought land at Rumney Marsh in Chelsea and he owned a town house and a lot of seven acres on the south side of the mill street near the com- mon. In the current township of Lynn, this seven acre lot is situated on the northeast and southeast corners of Franklin and Boston Streets and was next to the Mansfield property. Thomas' land and house were located at the southeast end of Lynn near the Saugus Iron Works - the first iron works (1642) in America. His land abutted the Anchor Tavern owned by another early settler Joseph Armitage. This tavern was said to be the only ‘watering hole' between Boston and Salem and many notables stopped there for food and drink. Records show that Thomas was a fine and God-fearing man. He was a farmer, a gentleman of intelligence and ability, and an outspoken liberal for his day. He and Reverend Samuel Whitney strongly opposed persecution and he was ordered out of a Lynn meeting for speaking out on the oppression of Quakers and others. He was in favor of his neighbor, Mr. Armitage, keeping an inn where strong drinks were served. On March 14, 1639 his name was on a list of newly made freemen, a designation based on his membership in good standing of the Congregational (Puritan) Church, having made a solemn oath of allegiance to the Commonwealth and promising to uphold the laws thereof. This designation was important at the time because only freemen could vote or hold office. These qualifications were later amended so that men who owned a certain amount of property or had a certain yearly income could be eligible to vote. Thomas and his wife Mary had five children, four sons and a daughter. They were: Home of Thomas Townsend It was on a 60 acre farm near Lynn, Massachusetts (per Leland Henry Townsend), but was probably located in Lynn on five of the seven acres he purchased near The Commons. 1. Thomas, born about 1637 in either Lynn, Massachusetts or England, died in 1700. He married Mary Davis about 1664, was made freeman in 1683, and settled at Rumney Marsh. 2. Samuel, born about 1638 Lynn, died Dec 21, 1704 in Chelsea. He married Abigail Davis, served as constable and surveyor for the town of Lynn, was a respectable and prosperous man, and was made freeman 1683. Samuel joined the Second Church (Boston) Sep 18, 1681. 3. John, born about 1640 Lynn, died Dec 14, 1726. He married 1) Sarah Pearson, 2) Mehitable Brown, was made freeman 1678, settled at Reading and worked as a wheelwright. 4. Andrew, born about 1642 Lynn, died 1692. He married Abigail Collins July 18, 1678, lived in Lynn, and was made freeman Apr 18, 1691. 5. Elizabeth, born about 1644 Lynn. She married Samuel Merriman (Mariam) Oct 22, 1669. It is unclear whether Thomas had more than one wife. Some accounts speak of a first wife and children named Robert and Liddia. On deeds of property given to his known children as they married, he speaks of ‘my now wife, Mary’. Thomas may have wanted to clarify that it was his present wife, Mary, who joined him in the deeds to their children and not any subsequent wife he might have. To paraphrase Donald Lines Jacobus, former editor of The American Genealogist, on the use of this term: When used in a Will, it is often assumed that the testator had a former wife. This may be true but is not necessarily so unless he refers to children by a first wife and children by his "present" or "now" wife. When the term is used without reference to children, it more usually means the testator is indicating that the bequest is intended only for his present wife and should not go to any subsequent wife he may have. This is one phrase that has confused many experienced genealogists. It is unknown when Thomas married Mary Newgate. The oldest child Thomas was born about the year they arrived in Lynn, so they probably married in England. Mary was the sister of John Newgate, a merchant and selectman of Boston, who had land at Rumney Marsh. In Newgate's will dated November 25, 1664, he calls Thomas Townsend ‘brother-in-law’ and leaves him a legacy of £10. On December 22, 1677 Thomas died in Lynn of camp fever (typhus) aged 83. Thomas was a man of some importance at the time and his beautiful signature can be seen on many documents preserved by the Secretary of State's office in Boston. As a respected freeman, he served as a juryman. His will is excerpted below: This indenture made the first day of January 1674 between Thomas Townsend Senior of Lynn in ye county of Essex of ye said son Andrew Townsend...being ye natural son of Thomas Townsend...with Mary his true wife and her also being ye natural mother of ye said Andrew, being both disabled, in a measure through age, to carry on theire afaires, for their comfortable livelihood... doth give...unto the said Andrew Townsend, his heirs and assines forever: at present two acres of land...situated and being in ye towne of Lynn, aforesaid on ye south side of ye mill street it being in front of ye house lott of ye said Thomas Townsend...together with all other estate ...the longer living of them may have possessed: to him ye said Andrew...upon these considerations following: First: That ye said Andrew herby doth covern and promise to grant to his said father and mother that he will live with them as their child and carry on all their businesses for their comfortable livelihood... Second: ...That if he shall marry and...with his wife, together with his father and mother cannot live comfortable together, that then ye said Andrew will build them a house upon ye aforesaid two acres of land and theire dwell and carry on theire aimes... It may be judged meete and reasonable...that he will carefully see to them during both their lives, that they suffer not in any respect, neither in time of sickness or health...give ye honorable burial... debts may then be due, he will pay them. And lastly that he will pay ten pounds to his brother Thomas Townsend and five pounds to his brother Samuell Townsend as legacies so ordered by his father for him to pay in three yeares time...five pounds per yeare...in case ye said Andrew should dy before his said father and mother, then ye said housing, lands and other estate as above said to return unto his father and mother or the longer lived of them, except ye aforesaid two acres only but if he shall dye and leave a wife or child... Thomas Townsend senior & a seale Andrew Townsend & a seale Thomas' fourth son Andrew was born about 1642 in Lynn. A farmer and soldier, he saw action in Captain Gardner's Company at the great battle fought with the Narragansett Indians in Rhode Island in December 1675. He was reportedly wounded twice. Upon returning to Lynn, Andrew and many other veterans were unable to make a livelihood and petitioned the legislature for land grants which were given some years later (1727) after Andrew and his wife Abigail had died. Andrew was granted sixteen acres of land in the Soutegen Valley in New Hampshire, an area the Nipnaug Indians did not relish giving up. While many veterans settled the area, they paid in sweat and blood for the right to forge their destiny in the New Hampshire hills. Thomas left his estate to his youngest son Andrew as stipulated in the indenture on the condition that he live with his parents and carry on their affairs during their lifetimes. Traditionally, the oldest son received a major share however Thomas gave some of this farm property to each of his other sons as wedding gifts and Andrew had not received such a gift because he had not yet married. A year after the death of Thomas in 1677, Andrew married Abigail Collins. Andrew and Abigail lived in his parents' house and Abigail assisted in the care of his mother while raising her own family. The couple had seven children, several of whom died young. All were born in Lynn and they were: Thomas, born 12 Jun 1679, died unknown. Abigail, born 23 Jan 1680/1, married Nathaniel Evans. Elizabeth, born 21 May 1683, died unknown. Mary, born 7 July 1685, died 10 Dec 1685. Andrew, born 13 Feb 1686/7, died December 1688. Daniel, born 6 Dec 1688, died Nov 1764, married Abigail. David, born 6 Apr 1692, died unknown, married Mabel Shippie. In 1692/3, when their youngest child was an infant, tragedy struck the home. In February, Andrew, his wife Abigail and his mother Mary were all stricken with camp fever (typhus). Andrew died on the 10th, Abigail died on the 22nd, and Mary on the 28th. Andrew had no will and since the children were under age, administrators were appointed for the estate and guardians were appointed for the children. The administrators were Samuel Johnson of Lynn and Andrew's brother Samuel Townsend of Chelsea. Samuel Townsend also served as guardian for Abigail and David, and a kinsman Daniel Mansfield of Lynn was appointed guardian for Thomas, Elizabeth, Andrew and Daniel. The following is the settlement of Andrew Townsend's estate as recorded at the Essex County court house, Salem, Massachusetts. An inventory of ye Estate of Andrew Townsend of Lynn deceased, taken ye 10 of March 1692/3 as follows: £ s d Books & Wareing closes 07 10 00 Neate cattle, Horses, swine 39 19 00 Cart Wheels, plows, charins, yeakes & tackling 03 02 00 Beadsteads, Beds & Furniture 18 15 00 Cupbards, Tables, Chests & Chears 07 15 00 Arms, Iron Pots, Brass, Puter 07 09 00 Looms, yarn, flax, corn, and meat 20 14 08 Saddle, Brydle & Lumber 01 14 16 Housing & Lands, 90 pounds Sillver 96 18 00 Signed: William Ireland, John Floyd, John Burritt, Jr. 203 18 00 Being chose by the brothers of the above said desesd. Expenses of £41 1s 6d for the doctor, nurses, funeral charges, rates(tax), and other money due from the estate were deducted so that estate was divided as follows: £ s d To the Eldest son a double portion, Thomas 41 00 07 To Abigail Townsend 20 10 3 ½ To Elizabeth Townsend 20 10 3 ½ To Andrew Townsend 20 10 3 ½ To Daniel Townsend 20 10 3 ½ To David Townsend 20 10 3 ½
The true account of our said administration...first day of May 1694, mark of Samuel Townsend and mark of Samuel Johnson. Real estate divided by Committee, approved 7 Jul 1702: Item: One old dwelling house & a barne with 7 acres of land £ adjoining or whereon ye house stands 55 Item: 3 acres of salt marsh laying at ye far end of Rumney Marsh so called 15 Item: 2 acres of salt marsh laying in ye Towne marsh 10 Appraisers: Robert Potter, Thomas Laughton,Theophilus Burrell 80 As it (real estate) could not be divided with ‘prejudice to or spoyling of ye whole,’ the Judge decided that Thomas Townsend, the eldest son, ‘have the whole and pay to the other brothers and sisters their shares, viz. Andrew, Daniel, Abigail, and Elizabeth Townsend or the respective Guardians or legall Representatives.’ Thomas Townsend (Andrew, Thomas) sold the town house and a lot of seven acres on the south side of the mill street (now Mill Street) near the common July 25, 1702. This was the original home of his grandfather Thomas Townsend and his father Andrew. The sixth child of Andrew and Abigail was Daniel who was born at Lynn in December 1688. Like his siblings, Daniel was raised by his guardian and kinsman Daniel Mansfield of Lynn after losing his parents to camp fever when he was a child. At nearly thirty, and between 1716 and 1718, Daniel moved to Charleston in the province of South Carolina. His name appears on the Petit Jury drawn to try the pirates captured with Steve Bonnet. His wife was Abigail but her maiden name has not been discovered. Since they had at least one child prior to 1716, she must have been from the Lynn area. They had two sons and four daughters. Daniel's occupation in Lynn was listed as a cordwainer, a leather worker who made things of cordovan, especially shoes. His son Daniel (born early 1700s, died 1794) as well as his grandsons Daniel (1811-1885) and John became successful plantation owners on the islands below Charleston. They have many descendants who still live in the Charleston area as well as other parts of South Carolina, in North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, New York, New Jersey and Florida. James Neely Townsend gathered this information for a 2000 Townsend Reunion and used the following resources: "The Daniel Townsends of South Carolina" by Kate McChesney Bolls; an unpublished paper "Daniel Townsend of South Carolina" by Mabel Louise Weber; "Townshend Heritage" by Doris B. Townsend; and ‘The Townsend Genealogy" by Leland Henry Townsend, Jr.
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