James A. Townsend

M, b. 27 November 1794, d. 25 September 1825
     James was born on 27 November 1794 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.1 He was the son of John Townsend and Kiziah Hays. James died on 25 September 1825 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States, at age 30.2 His body was buried in September 1825 at Mossy Bay Cemetery, Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.
     Biography of James A. Townsend:
"James died from a rattle snake bite while squirrel hunting. Killing the snake, he sat down on a log and consumed the remainder of his powder as an antidote. His body was discovered from buzzards which his faithful dog had kept in the air. He was unmarried." [The Townsends of Marlboro 1764-1980]

Citations

  1. [S137] Annie Florence Kinney, "DAR Application of Annie Florence Kinney."
  2. [S136] Marie Townsend Butler, Townsends of Marlboro,.

Vicie Hargrove

F, b. 1800, d. circa 1831
     Vicie Hargrove was born in 1800 at South Carolina, United States. She married John "Jack" Townsend, son of John Townsend and Kiziah Hays, in 1817 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.1 Vicie died circa 1831 at Lowndes, Georgia, United States.

Children of Vicie Hargrove and John "Jack" Townsend

Citations

  1. [S135] Virgil Light Townsend, Townsend, Bell, and Allied Families,.

Hulda Hargrove

F, b. circa 1802
     Hulda was born circa 1802.1 She married John "Jack" Townsend, son of John Townsend and Kiziah Hays, circa 1845.2

Citations

  1. [S580] William Thomas Townsend, Townsend, Addendum to The Townsends of Marlboro,.
  2. [S135] Virgil Light Townsend, Townsend, Bell, and Allied Families,.

Light Townsend

M, b. 1 May 1798, d. 17 March 1870
     Light was born on 1 May 1798 at Georgia, United States.1 He was the son of John Townsend and Kiziah Hays. He married Mary Ann Carloss, daughter of Dr. Robertson Carloss and Wilhemina Amelia Charlotte Poelnitz, on 11 October 1838 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.2 Light died on 17 March 1870 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States, at age 71.2 His body was buried in March 1870 at Mossy Bay Cemetery, Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.
     Light's occupation: Farmer.
Biography of Light Townsend:
Marie Townsend Butler in her "The Townsends of Marlboro 1764-1980"2 that she prepared in 1980 included a very interesting biography that was primarily about her great grandfather Light Townsend (1798-1870). Most of that biography is presented below:

“They moved away to other counties and other states, or died and left no heirs; thus a family once both prolific and prominent in Marlboro County, South Carolina, is becoming extinct.”2

“Ever since Benedictus Townsend and his two sons settled on the east side of the Great Pee Dee, in what for a long time was known as Marlborough District, there have been Townsend’s in that area - in fact on some of the same land - until recently. The sons were named John and Light. The unusual name, Light, has been used generously by the family through the years, and is still found in Marlboro today - John Light Napier and William Light Kinney, both direct descendants of the first Light.”2

“The name Townsend may be disappearing as a family name, but it is frequently found as a middle name. A few examples are: Robert Townsend Rogers and his daughter, Robin Townsend, in California; John Townsend Napier of Blenheim; Robert Townsend Richardson of Richmond, Virginia; Harold Townsend Mobley in Nashville, Tennessee; and little Ryan Townsend Butler of Myrtle Beach.”2

“Though there were land grants to many of the older Townsend’s, the one who apparently built up the large estate held by the family for many years was Light Townsend (1798-1870). He was one of fourteen children born to John and Keziah Hays Townsend, who lived four miles east of Blenheim on what is now the Cousins family property, but for years was known as the “Kinney Bay Place”. Light was the third son, and after a stay in North Carolina where he was overseer of a large plantation, he returned to Marlboro and not only acquired his father's property (when other members of the family moved to Florida), but began building up his own estate.”2

“Light was not a young man when he married Mary Ann Carloss, twenty-two years his junior. In the early 1850's they built a large Greek Revival plantation house where they reared a family of three daughters and one son. Judging from the property he willed to each of his children, he had become a sizable landowner before his death. As John Townsend tells it, “Grandfather owned a lot of land and left each of his three daughters a big farm, all adjoining, near Blenheim. Papa always told me his father's property joined Major Drake at the branch near Lower Marlboro school where C. P. Poleston has a fish pond. The line went from that branch back across to Jennies branch (behind the McCallum home place). Aunt Hattie Irby, so I was told, inherited all the property from the road running by the Townsend house to the Kinney Bay Place, and over as far as the creek on the Poleston farm. I heard she lost it once and Grandfather bought it back for her saying, “You let John run through it again and see what happens', and of course they did lose it”.2

“Light and his son, John Robertson, were living on a farm he owned six miles out of Bennettsville when Light died. He left this farm (known as the Pledger Place and now owned by the Hollis family) to his son. By court approval the son, still a minor, and one of the daughters, Amelia Dudley, exchanged inheritances, and the plantation home remained property of a Townsend.”2

“On one of Light's trips to Florida to visit his sisters and brothers he brought back a pocket full of acorns from the coniferous oaks and planted these in the yard of his new home. Many came up, and some of the huge, old trees are still living, though in deplorable condition as is the long abandoned house.”2

“The plantation house consisted of eight main rooms (20 X 20) and a detached kitchen. There were only two closets in the house. The kitchen had an open fireplace and a walk-in pantry. Just off the dining room was a butler's pantry, as well as a storage pantry with shelves from floor to ceiling to take care of the many items canned and preserved on the farm. In 1912 John Robertson added two bathrooms, which formed bays on the south side of the house. In later years John Rogers added a large family room, which connected the kitchen with the main house.”2

“Brick used in construction were made on the plantation, and the wide pine siding was all hand beaded. The interior millwork was of oak. Rift pine flooring was used throughout, while the walls were all plastered. The fourteen-foot high ceilings downstairs and the twelve foot ceilings upstairs were all ten inch boards.”2

“The house sat within a twenty-five acre fenced grove. The yard immediately around the house was enclosed with a picket fence for many years. The outbuildings included the commissary, a smoke house, light house (for the carbide generator), pump house, shop, carriage house (later used as a garage) and, of course, the traditional "outhouse" of the time. There was at one end of the grove the cow lot and horse lot with its gear house and associated barns along with a tall brick wall protecting the deep, open well. On the other side of the grove, just outside the fence, was the cotton gin with its seed house, the saw mill and a fertilizer warehouse.”2

“Wide porches on three sides of the house and the front step abutments were the ideal home for large potted ferns of various kinds. These were carried over year to year in the "pit" - an entrenchment on the south side of the house near the fruit orchard. This was constructed with brick walls and covered with heavy timbers, which could be opened on sunny days in the winter.”2

“According to various records, Light owned more than four hundred slaves to work his holdings. Interesting stories have been handed down about how he caught wild hogs in Big Hilson Bay to help feed the slaves. He also supposedly had a dog trained to patrol the slave quarters, and if a strange slave showed up, the dog would go to Light's bedroom and awaken him, and lead him straight to the cottage where the stranger was.”2

“Though not an educated man (his only formal education came after he was grown and hired a tutor) he was instrumental in helping establish several schools. Light told his son that he literally studied all the time when he had the tutor - except for a mile walk in the mornings, and when he was eating and sleeping. He began in the famous blue back speller, and after only nine months was able to do his own surveying.” 2

“Light also became something of a financier of his time. His grandson tells this story: “Grandfather stood security, as it was called then, for a merchant in Bennettsville for $33,000.00 and the merchant went broke. When Grandfather heard about it he got on his horse and went to Bennettsville and asked the man if the rumor were true, and the man said, “Yes, I don't even have a chicken to crow the time of day”. Grandfather said that was what he had come to find out – he guessed that meant he’d have to pay the debt... When he started to leave, the merchant said, “Don't go, Light, stay and have dinner with me” I’ve heard that Grandfather replied, “No, by God, I’ll go home and eat something that is paid for”. Uncle Tom Dudley settled that debt for $10,000.00 after Grandfather died.” 2

“When Light lived at what is now the Cousins farm he had two nephews from Florida living with him. They were sons of his brother, John and his wife, Vicie, who had died. One of the boys was trained as a surveyor and his Uncle Light gave him a horse and $100 when he returned to Florida. On one of the many trips to Florida (by horse-back) Light brought home a niece, Temperance, Dau. of his brother Allen. He sent her to Salem College where she was taken ill in a few months & died. She is buried in the Single Women's section of the Moravian Cemetery, but no identification of her parents is on the marker. Two of his sister Delaney's daughters came to Blenheim to live with him after their father died. They were Emma and Fannie Charles, and were living with the family when eighteen of Sherman's men came to the plantation house during their march through the Cheraw area. (For many year these sisters were the connecting link between the Marlboro family and their Florida relatives.)” 2

“Light's young son, John, accompanied slaves on wagons loaded with corn to feed the destitute people in the Cheraw area after the Union soldiers moved out. John frequently told his children how the soldiers camped for several days on his Aunt Hattie Irby's farm. When they moved on there was absolutely no food on the place. She finally found several sweet potatoes where the soldiers had torn down the potato hills, and some scattered corn where they had fed their horses. This was all she and the children had to eat until she could send to her father's home for food. On one of his trips the fifteen-year-old John brought home a sixty-pound cannon ball which had been left by Sherman's army. It is now in possession of Carlos Butler, a great, great grandson of Light.”2

“Mrs. William A. Wyatt of San Marcos, Texas, who researched her Townsend ancestors over a long period of years, says that of the early Townsend’s, “only Light, left a family Bible with full records and he was the only one who left a will”. That Bible, which is still intact today, had a record of the births of “Blacks”(slaves on the plantation) as well as members of the family.”2

“Light's young wife, Mary Ann, was the daughter of Dr. Robertson Carloss and Wilhemina Amelia Charlotte Poelnitz (b. 1772) and the granddaughter of Baron Charles von Poelnitz (b. 1734) who was widely publicized in the Carolina Series of historical novels by Inglis Fletcher. The Baron is buried in Marlboro County.”2.

Children of Light Townsend and Mary Ann Carloss

Citations

  1. [S137] Annie Florence Kinney, "DAR Application of Annie Florence Kinney."
  2. [S136] Marie Townsend Butler, Townsends of Marlboro,.

Mary Ann Carloss

F, b. circa 1816, d. 2 July 1858
     Mary was born circa 1816 at North Carolina, United States.1 She was the daughter of Dr. Robertson Carloss and Wilhemina Amelia Charlotte Poelnitz. She married Light Townsend, son of John Townsend and Kiziah Hays, on 11 October 1838 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.2 Mary died on 2 July 1858 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States. Her body was buried in July 1858 at Mossy Bay Cemetery, Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.

Children of Mary Ann Carloss and Light Townsend

Citations

  1. [S88] 1850 Census Marlboro SC, p. 158, Dw. 526, Fm. 526, Household of Light Townsend, 9 sep 1850.
  2. [S136] Marie Townsend Butler, Townsends of Marlboro,.

Joel Wilson Townsend

M, b. 19 January 1799, d. 14 May 1880
     Joel was born on 19 January 1799 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.1 He was the son of John Townsend and Kiziah Hays. He married Mary Acker, on 25 October 1827 at Franklin, Georgia, United States.2 He married Maria Black, circa 1845 at Abbeville, South Carolina, United States.3 Joel died on 14 May 1880 at Cokesbury, Abbeville, South Carolina, United States, at age 81.3
     Joel's occupation: Methodist Minister.
Biography of Joel Wilson Townsend:
Joel Wilson Townsend became a Methodist minister in 1819. He settled in Cokesbury, South Carolina in 1844 after being appointed to over a dozen churches throughout the Carolinas and Georgia. He died in Cokesbury in 1880 leaving many descendants a few of which are identified below.

Children of Joel Wilson Townsend and Mary Acker

Citations

  1. [S137] Annie Florence Kinney, "DAR Application of Annie Florence Kinney."
  2. [S646] "Marriage Index AL, GA, SC 1641-1944".
  3. [S136] Marie Townsend Butler, Townsends of Marlboro,.

Mary Acker

F
     She married Joel Wilson Townsend, son of John Townsend and Kiziah Hays, on 25 October 1827 at Franklin, Georgia, United States.1

Children of Mary Acker and Joel Wilson Townsend

Citations

  1. [S646] "Marriage Index AL, GA, SC 1641-1944".

Maria Black

F, b. circa 1804, d. 24 July 1873
     Maria Black was born circa 1804 at South Carolina, United States.1 She married Joel Wilson Townsend, son of John Townsend and Kiziah Hays, circa 1845 at Abbeville, South Carolina, United States.2 She died on 24 July 1873 at Cokesbury, Abbeville, South Carolina, United States.3

Citations

  1. [S647] 1850 Census Abbeville SC, p. 140, Dw. 2136, Fm. 2136, Household of Wesley Norwood and Joel W. Townsend. Village of Cokesbury, 3 Dec 1850.
  2. [S136] Marie Townsend Butler, Townsends of Marlboro,.
  3. [S648] Brent H. Holcomb, SC Magazine of Ancestral Research, Death and Obituary Notices, Southern Christian Advaocate, 1867-1878, Issue of August 11, 1875, p. 214.

Florrie Townsend

M, b. 15 August 1804, d. circa 1805
     Florrie was born on 15 August 1804 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.1 He was the son of John Townsend and Kiziah Hays. Florrie died circa 1805 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.
     Biography of Florrie Townsend:
Died as an infant.

Citations

  1. [S136] Marie Townsend Butler, Townsends of Marlboro,.

Arpie Sarah Townsend

F, b. 7 October 1806, d. 6 April 1888
     Arpie was born on 7 October 1806 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.1 She was the daughter of John Townsend and Kiziah Hays. She married Miles McInnis, circa 1825 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.2 Arpie died on 6 April 1888 at Marion, South Carolina, United States, at age 81.2
     Biography of Arpie Sarah Townsend:
Arpie Sarah Townsend married Miles McInnis about 1825 based on the birth dates of their children. Arpie and Miles raised a large family and lived the rest of their lives in Bethea Township, Marion County South Carolina which borders Marlboro County, South Carolina.

Children of Arpie Sarah Townsend and Miles McInnis

Citations

  1. [S137] Annie Florence Kinney, "DAR Application of Annie Florence Kinney."
  2. [S136] Marie Townsend Butler, Townsends of Marlboro,.

Miles McInnis

M, b. circa 1796, d. 26 September 1872
     Miles McInnis was born circa 1796 at Marion, South Carolina, United States.1 He married Arpie Sarah Townsend, daughter of John Townsend and Kiziah Hays, circa 1825 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.2 He died on 26 September 1872 at Marion, South Carolina, United States.2

Children of Miles McInnis and Arpie Sarah Townsend

Citations

  1. [S643] 1850 Census Marion SC, p. 92, Dw.1376, Fm.1382, Household of Miles McInnis, 24 Oct 1850.
  2. [S136] Marie Townsend Butler, Townsends of Marlboro,.

David R. Townsend

M, b. 12 January 1808, d. 14 April 1886
     David was born on 12 January 1808 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.1 He was the son of John Townsend and Kiziah Hays. He married Nancy Burnett. David died on 14 April 1886 at Lafayette, Florida, United States, at age 78. His body was buried in April 1886 at Maypop Cemetery, Lafayette, Florida, United States.2
     David's occupation: Judge.
Biography of David R. Townsend:
David moved to Irwin County (now Lowndes) Georgia about 1824/25 with his brothers John, Allen, and Jesse. About 1838 he moved into Madison County Florida based on his having bought land there at that time. This land was just south of Cherry Lake, bordering land owned by his brother Benjamin, and very near land of his brother Allen. In the 1840 Census David is listed as owning 14 male and 26 female slaves. By the mid 1840's he likely moved to the area of Troy Springs in present day Lafayette County Florida, as he sold his holding near Cherry Lake to his brothers. He has not been found in the 1850 census, however he and his family is in the 1860 Census of Lafayette County. He served as a Probate Judge beginning in 1857 and Circuit Judge from 1868 to 1875 in Lafayette County. David is buried in Maypop Cemetery, Lafayette County, Florida along with his wife Nancy.

Children of David R. Townsend and Nancy Burnett

Citations

  1. [S137] Annie Florence Kinney, "DAR Application of Annie Florence Kinney."
  2. [S93] Emmett B. Howell, Cemeteries - Lafayette Co., FL, p. 38.

Nancy Burnett

F, b. 28 March 1812, d. 1 September 1891
     Nancy was born on 28 March 1812 at Georgia, United States.1 She married David R. Townsend, son of John Townsend and Kiziah Hays. Nancy died on 1 September 1891 at Lafayette, Florida, United States, at age 79. Her body was buried in September 1891 at Maypop Cemetery, Lafayette, Florida, United States.2

Children of Nancy Burnett and David R. Townsend

Citations

  1. [S58] 1860 Census Lafayette FL, p. 25.
  2. [S93] Emmett B. Howell, Cemeteries - Lafayette Co., FL, p. 38.

Fereba Townsend

F, b. 22 July 1810, d. 14 December 1896
     Fereba was born on 22 July 1810 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.1 She was the daughter of John Townsend and Kiziah Hays. She married William Kinney in 1828.2 Fereba died on 14 December 1896 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States, at age 86.3 She was buried at Parnassus Methodist Church Cemetery, Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.4

Children of Fereba Townsend and William Kinney

Citations

  1. [S137] Annie Florence Kinney, "DAR Application of Annie Florence Kinney."
  2. [S88] 1850 Census Marlboro SC, p. 158, Dw. 530, Fm. 530, Household of Wm. Kinney, 7 Sep 1850.
  3. [S135] Virgil Light Townsend, Townsend, Bell, and Allied Families,.
  4. [S664] Barbara Cope Svetlick, "Marlboro County South Carolina Cemeteries as posted on Marlboro County, South Carolina USGenWeb Pages."

William Kinney

M, b. 9 August 1802, d. 11 May 1851
     William Kinney was born on 9 August 1802 at South Carolina, United States.1 He married Fereba Townsend, daughter of John Townsend and Kiziah Hays, in 1828.1 He died on 11 May 1851 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States, at age 48.2 He was buried at Parnassus Methodist Church Cemetery, Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.3

Children of William Kinney and Fereba Townsend

Citations

  1. [S88] 1850 Census Marlboro SC, p. 158, Dw. 530, Fm. 530, Household of Wm. Kinney, 7 Sep 1850.
  2. [S583] Elizabeth Drake and Jacquelyn Rainwater, Marlboro SC Cemeteries, p. 249.
  3. [S664] Barbara Cope Svetlick, "Marlboro County South Carolina Cemeteries as posted on Marlboro County, South Carolina USGenWeb Pages."

Benjamin I. Townsend

M, b. 20 January 1812, d. before 1880
     Benjamin was born on 20 January 1812 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.1 He was the son of John Townsend and Kiziah Hays. He married Rebecca Overstreet on 16 December 1835 at Madison, Florida, United States.2 He married Jane Suggs on 24 March 1841 at Madison, Florida, United States.3 He married Elizabeth Ganey on 17 February 1864 at Lafayette, Florida, United States.4 He married Martha Townsend on 27 October 1869 at Lafayette, Florida, United States.4 He died before 1880 at Lafayette, Florida, United States.
     Biography of Benjamin I. Townsend:
The only record of Benjamin Townsend we have found in Marlboro County, South Carolina is his listing on the 1948 DAR application of Miss Annie Florence Kinney which shows that Benjamin was born 20 January 1812. This information was presumably obtained from one of the Bibles that were cited in the application. Virgil Light Townsend and Marie Townsend Butler said that Benjamin died young in their genealogies. We, however, found that Benjamin was in Florida by the mid 1830's.

The earliest record in Florida is his marriage to Rebecca Overstreet in 1835. The next record is his purchase of two tracts of land, lying next to two tracts of land owned by David R. Townsend his brother in 1837 and very near the land owned by his other brothers, Allen and John in Madison County, Florida.

He also served as a Pvt. in Capt. Bradley's Detachment, 13th Regiment, 1st Brigade of the Florida Militia. Joining 28 October 1837 at San Pedro and mustering out 13 Feb 1838.

He is enumerated as Head of Household in the 1840 census of Madison County with two other adult males his age and three adult females. These are likely brothers or cousins that are staying or living in his household. On 24 March 1841 he marries Jane Suggs in Madison County. It appears that Rebecca may have died and he remarried. He and his family is next found in the 1850 Madison County Census. By 1860 he and his family have removed to Starke, Alachua County, Florida. After the Civil War he moved his family to Troy, Lafayette County, Florida Census as he is found there in the 1870 Census living again near his Brother David R. Townsend.

Children of Benjamin I. Townsend and Jane Suggs

Children of Benjamin I. Townsend and Elizabeth Ganey

Citations

  1. [S137] Annie Florence Kinney, "DAR Application of Annie Florence Kinney."
  2. [S68] Madison Co. Florida Marriage Records, Book A, p. 24.
  3. [S68] Madison Co. Florida Marriage Records, Book A, p. 58.
  4. [S291] Jessie H. Paulk and Delma Wilson Paulk, Lafayette County Florida Marriages, p. 120.

Isham Townsend1

M, b. 22 September 1813, d. 21 March 1829
     Isham was born on 22 September 1813 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States. He was the son of John Townsend and Kiziah Hays. Isham died on 21 March 1829 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States, at age 15. His body was buried in March 1829 at Mossy Bay Cemetery, Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.

Citations

  1. [S137] Annie Florence Kinney, "DAR Application of Annie Florence Kinney."

Delaney Rosella Townsend

F, b. 22 September 1815, d. before 1860
     Delaney was born on 22 September 1815 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.1 She was the daughter of John Townsend and Kiziah Hays. She married Andrew Jackson Charles, on 8 March 1841 at Madison, Florida, United States.2 She died before 1860 at Madison, Florida, United States.
     Biography of Delaney Rosella Townsend:
Delaney Rosella and her family reportedly settled in Lafayette County Florida across the Suwannee River from Dowling Park, Suwannee County. There are several land sales to Andrew J. Charles in the 1830's and 1840's in that area. The family appears in the 1850 Census of Madison County, Florida. By 1860, the three children, Rupert, Fannie and Emma ages 14, 13 and 11 respectively are in the household of Melburn L. Odum, age 30, a carpenter, born South Carolina in New River County, Florida. Why these three children are in New River County without their parents in 1860 is unknown. New River County is a defunct county, originally containing the area of present day Baker, Bradford, and Union Counties. It was split into Baker and Bradford County in 1861. This suggests that something may have happened to Andrew J. Charles and his wife, Delaney R. Townsend Charles.

Additional information on this family is contained in the Daughters of American Revolution application of Annie Florence Kinney 1 wherein she indicates:

"Delaney was the Aunt of Mr. John R. Townsend of Blenheim. Delaney Rosella Townsend married Andrew Jackson Charles. She lived in Dowling Park, Fla. and was buried in Madison Fla. The daughter's of Mrs. Delaney Rosella Townsend Charles were Emma and Fanny and she also had two sons. After the death of Andrew Jackson Charles, Mr. Light Townsend (father of John R. of Blenheim) went to Fla. and brought his two nieces back to Marlboro County with him and reared them in his home. They were Emma and Fanny. They went back to Fla. and married. Emma married McClellan and (blank space that appears to have not been filled in) Mrs. Fannie Rowell is a daughter and lives in Wellborn, Fla."

From the above we infer that both A. J. Charles and his wife, Delaney died by 1860, probably in Madison County, Florida. This may explain why they are not found in the 1860 or later census records and why the three children are found living without their parents in the 1860 New River County Census. We are aware of only one son rather than the two mentioned in the Kinney DAR application. He is found as Benjamin age 6 enumerated in the 1860 Madison County Census and then as Rupert age 14 enumerated in the 1860 New River County Census. We believe these to be the same male child and have him as listed below as Benjamin Rupert. If there is another male child he likely was born after 1850.

Children of Delaney Rosella Townsend and Andrew Jackson Charles

Citations

  1. [S137] Annie Florence Kinney, "DAR Application of Annie Florence Kinney."
  2. [S68] Madison Co. Florida Marriage Records,.

Andrew Jackson Charles

M, b. circa 1814, d. before 1860
     Andrew Jackson Charles was born circa 1814 at South Carolina, United States.1 He married Delaney Rosella Townsend, daughter of John Townsend and Kiziah Hays, on 8 March 1841 at Madison, Florida, United States.2 He died before 1860 at Madison, Florida, United States.

Children of Andrew Jackson Charles and Delaney Rosella Townsend

Citations

  1. [S31] 1850 Census Madison FL, p. 85, Dw. 46, Fm. 46, Family of Andrew J. Charles, 11th Div. 16 Oct 1850.
  2. [S68] Madison Co. Florida Marriage Records,.

Jabish N. Townsend

M, b. 18 February 1818, d. 10 November 1880
     Jabish N. Townsend was born on 18 February 1818 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States. He was the son of Jabish T. Townsend and Elizabeth Spears. He married Ann C. (--?--) circa 1840. He married Hester Ann Townsend, daughter of John Townsend and Kiziah Hays, circa 1853 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.1 He died on 10 November 1880 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States, at age 62.2 He was buried at Parnassus Methodist Church Cemetery, Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.3

Children of Jabish N. Townsend and Ann C. (--?--)

Children of Jabish N. Townsend and Hester Ann Townsend

Citations

  1. [S137] Annie Florence Kinney, "DAR Application of Annie Florence Kinney."
  2. [S583] Elizabeth Drake and Jacquelyn Rainwater, Marlboro SC Cemeteries,.
  3. [S663] Charles Lewis Townsend, "Edward Townsend's Forefamily."

Rhoda Townsend

F, b. circa 1765
     Rhoda Townsend was born circa 1765 at Orange, North Carolina, British Colonial America. She was the daughter of John Townsend and Cortney (--?--).
     Biography of Rhoda Townsend:
It appears that Rhoda Townsend never married but had three sons who bore the Townsend surname. The three were Jabish Townsend, Benjamin Townsend, and Samuel Townsend. Jabish and Benjamin remained in Marlboro County their whole lives and have a large number of descendants in the area. Samuel raised a large family and about 1842 removed with many of his children to Madison County, Florida, following many of his relatives who had moved there earlier.

The following was abstracted from the Minutes of the December 1786 Term of the Marlboro County Court:

“Ordered that Jesse John and Rhoda Townsend being convicted of Bastardy of a Mail child that the aforesaid John pay to said Rhoda 4/8 quarter to maintain the aforesaid child untill it arrive to the age of Ten.. aforesaid Jess John and Rhoda give sufficient bond…”1

We have concluded that this particular court order was for the benefit of Jabish Townsend as Benjamin was not born until circa 1788 and Samuel until circa 1794. Thus we show Jesse John as the father of Jabish. We have no evidence to suggest who the father of Benjamin or Samuel are.

We estimate that Rhoda was born circa 1765 based on the assumption she was age 18 at the time Jabish was born about 1783.

Child of Rhoda Townsend and Jesse John

Children of Rhoda Townsend

Citations

  1. [S152] Brent H. Holcomb, Marlborough Co. SC Court Records, p. 7.

Thomas Townsend1

M, b. circa 1765, d. 1828
     Thomas was born circa 1765 at Orange, North Carolina, British Colonial America. He was the son of John Townsend and Cortney (--?--). He married Elizabeth Stapleton, circa 1795 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.2 Thomas died in 1828 at Jefferson, Florida, United States.
     Biography of Thomas Townsend:
Thomas Townsend (1765-1828) and his wife, Elizabeth, are named are on a number of deeds in Marlboro County, South Carolina prior to 1815 and his family is found on the 1800 and 1810 Census of Marlboro County. He is not found in the 1820 Census of Marlboro County. Thomas Townsend and his descendants are described in Tula Townsend Wyatt’s well-written and well-documented genealogy entitled The Seven Townsend Brothers of Texas 1826-1838. 1 The reader is encouraged to seek Ms. Wyatt's book that contains information on several additional generations of this family in Texas. According to Ms. Wyatt, Thomas Townsend and his wife, Elizabeth Stapleton, had eight sons and one daughter. They removed from Marlboro County, South Carolina to McIntosh County, Georgia after 1815. They then removed to Jefferson County, Florida by 1824. After Thomas's death in 1828 in Jefferson County Florida seven of his sons went to Texas in the 1830’s and 40's.

Ms. Wyatt shows Thomas Townsend as being born circa 1765, but does not offer any explanation for the basis of that date. Thomas’s first born, Asa, was born in December 1795 that suggests he married about 1794 or early 1795. He thus married at age 29 or 30 if the 1765 birth year is accurate. A 1765 birth year is reasonable although it could also have been several years later, as these Townends usually married in their early twenties. None the less, we show his birth as circa 1765 as we have no evidence to suggest otherwise.

We also have no specific evidence to further support our conclusion that Thomas is the son of John Townsend (1740-1786). Thomas named his first son, Asa, his second, Thomas, likely after himself, and third son, Stephen. Asa and Stephen are not traditional Townsend names and appear to be a bit unusual for the first male children of a Townsend family. By his fourth son he uses the name Light and by the seventh son he uses the name William. Thus he used traditional Townsend male names for only three out of seven of his sons.

The children listed below were taken from Tula Townsend Wyatt's book The Seven Townsend Brothers of Texas 1826-1838.

Children of Thomas Townsend and Elizabeth Stapleton

Citations

  1. [S134] Tula Townsend Wyatt, Seven Townsend Brothers of Texas,.
  2. [S134] Tula Townsend Wyatt, Seven Townsend Brothers of Texas, p. xiv.

Light Townsend

M, b. 1770, d. 14 October 1851
     Light was born in 1770 at Hilson Bay, Craven, South Carolina, British Colonial America. He was the son of John Townsend and Cortney (--?--). He married Phoebe Carter, circa 1792 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.1 Light died on 14 October 1851 at Brooksville, Hernando, Florida, United States.2 His body was buried in 1851 at Brooksville, Hernando, Florida, United States.
     Biography of Light Townsend:
The genealogy of Light Townsend (1770-1851) was published in the "Florida Genealogical Journal" in an article entitled "Light Townsend 1770-1851"2. This is an excellent article written by Theodore Lesley, Editor of the Florida Genealogical Journal, and a descendant of Light Townsend (1770-1851).

In that article Mr. Lesley indicates that Light Townsend (1770-1851) is the son of Light Townsend of Marlboro County, South Carolina. Our work concluded that Light Townsend (1770-1851) is the son of John Townsend (1740-1786) and his wife, Courtney, and not Light Townsend as Mr. Lesley indicated. [See biography of John Townsend (1760-1843)] Mr. Lesley offered only “circumstantial facts, and no proof to the contrary” as the basis for that relationship, suggesting that Mr. Lesley was unsure about who the father of Light Townsend (1770-1851) was. It is interesting to note that Light Townsend (1770-1851) named his first born son John, which is supportive of our conclusion that Light is the son of John Townsend (1740-1786).

Light and his wife Phoebe Carter, moved to Liberty County Georgia in the early 1800's moving into Jefferson County Florida by 1828, Alachua County, Florida in the1830's and finally Hernando County, Florida by 1848. This family appears to have been quite prosperous as Light owned many acres of land and reported owning 16 slaves in 1830 and in 1840. Several of their sons also owned significant numbers of slaves. They have many descendants throughout Florida from the 10 known children identified below.

The following is an excerpt from Theodore Lesley's article

"Shortly after the birth of their first child the family moved to Liberty Co., Georgia. There he was listed as an owner of slaves, and in 1806, 1807 and 1811 received three grants of land totaling 760 acres. In the War of 1812, he served as a private in Capt. John Winn's Company of Infantry, 2nd Regiment Georgia Militia. He enrolled in this company in 1815, and the muster roll is dated at Riceborough, a town located on the Newport River, Liberty Co., Ga. However, there is a deed on record in this county that states he and his wife are of Mclntosh County, January 1815. On August 5, 1822 Light Townsend is appointed administrator of the estate of (Mrs.) Letty Carter, possibly mother of his wife, Phoebe Carter."2

"With new fields beckoning following the purchase of Florida from Spain* in 1821, Mr. Townsend removed his family, and slaves, to that territory settling in Jefferson County where he was deeded land in 1828. Shortly after 1830 he again decided on a move, this time further south, and took up land near Newnansville, Alachua County, Fla. He was living there when the Seven Year War with the Seminole Indians commenced. In that long struggle, from 1835-1842, he was for a short while a member of his son-in-law's, Capt. Thomas C. Bills, company of the 1st Regiment Florida Mounted Militia. From August to December 1840 he was a member of the same Regiment, but mustered into the United States service under the command of Col. W. I. Bailey. Phoebe Carter Townsend died February 2, 1848, and shortly afterwards her husband disposed of his land near Newnansville and bought 200 acres six miles south of what is today Brooksville, Florida. This move was made to be nearer his son, John, and several daughters; all married with families of their own. He still retained possession of twelve slaves, having given the remainder of several families each to each of his children upon their marriage. Light Townsend died on this plantation, October 14, 1851. He is said to be buried thereon."2

The listing below of his children is from Theodore Lesley’s article. Nonetheless this family appears to be incomplete as the 1800 Marlboro County South Carolina census record on this family clearly suggests that there are 6 young male children born before 1800 as members of this family. The listing of children below shows only one male child in the family born before 1800. Thus there are very likely several unidentified children in this family. The reader is encouraged to read Mr. Lesley’s article that contains more information on his descendants.

Children of Light Townsend and Phoebe Carter

Citations

  1. [S138] Theodore Lesley, Light Townsend 1770-1851, p. 13.
  2. [S138] Theodore Lesley, Light Townsend 1770-1851,.