Person Page - 1211

     Sarah Townsend was the daughter of Richard Townsend and (--?--) Collins. She died.

     Caleb Townsend was the son of Henry Townsend and Rhoda Philby. He died.

     Susannah Philby died.

     Arcadia 'Arcady' Townsend was the daughter of Richard Townsend and Susannah Philby. She died before 24 June 1793 at Accomack, Virginia, USA. She was buried circa 24 June 1793 at Accomack, Virginia, USA.

     Arcadia Townsend was the daughter of Henry Townsend and Rhoda Philby. She married Nathaniel Evans in 1774 at Northampton, Virginia, British Colonial America. She died.

     (--?--) Collins married Richard Townsend, son of John Townsend and Faith (--?--), circa 1735 at Accomack, Virginia, British Colonial America. She died BEF ABT 1742 at Accomack, Virginia, British Colonial America.

     Rhoda Philby died before 25 April 1749 at Accomack, Virginia, America. She was buried circa 25 April 1749 at Accomack, Virginia, America.

     Rachel Townsend died.

     Thomas Townsend Jr. was the son of Thomas Townsend Sr. and (--?--) (--?--). He died before 4 October 1720 at Ewomus Branch, New Church, Accomack, Virginia, British Colonial America.¹
     Biography of Thomas Townsend Jr.:

On April 2, 1716, Thomas Townsend Sr. formally gifted the western half of his 400-acre plantation on "Ewomas Branch" to his son, Thomas Jr., via a deed of gift recorded in the clerk's office. This transaction established Thomas Jr. on his own property.

Tragically, Thomas Jr. died only four years later. His will² was presented for probate by October 4, 1720, the date by which his estate began formal legal processing.

In his will dated April 26, 1720, Thomas Townsend Jr. bequeathed 200 acres of land to his brother-in-law John Townsend. He left specific household goods (two new feather beds, one feather bolster, four blankets, three pewter dishes, nine large plates, two four-gallon pots, one new rugs and a dozen pewter spoons) to Bevans Morris, the son of Hester Morris, to be held by the executor until Bevens reached 18. Townsend Jr. left a gray horse to his mother-in-law Sarah Townsend and fabric to his sisters Jaen Marsay and Sarah Townsend. The remainder of his estate was left to his father, Thomas Townsend Sr., to be used for the schooling and upbringing of Bevans Morris until he reached 18, and Thomas Townsend Sr. was appointed as the sole executor. The will was signed “Thos Townsen".

The formal inventory of Thomas Townsend Jr.'s estate was conducted more than a year after his death, on December 22, 1721. The total value of his inventoried estate was assessed at 27 pounds, 12 shillings, and 6 pence. A specific calculation determined Bevans Morris's share of the estate to be 7 pounds, 13 shillings, and 5 pence. The timing of this detailed inventory, so long after the initial probate of the will, suggests it was likely performed to formally distribute Bevans's inheritance upon his reaching the age of majority (18). This calculation provides a strong rationale for estimating Bevans Morris's birth year as 1703.

Analysis of the Will and Family Relationships

Several key observations can be made regarding Thomas Jr.'s life and family dynamics based on his will:

Literacy: Thomas Jr. was literate, as he signed his will "Thos Townsen" rather than using a standard "X" mark, which was common at the time. This personal literacy may explain his insistence that Bevans Morris receive schooling to learn to read and write.

Parentage of Bevans Morris: The will strongly suggests that Bevans Morris was the biological son of Thomas Townsend Jr. It was highly unusual in this era for a testator to leave the majority of his estate—both specific goods and the residual—to anyone other than a direct child.

Contextual Interpretation: The likely scenario is that Thomas Jr. had a relationship with Hester Bevans before she married Dennis Morris. This resulted in the birth of Bevans Morris, who was subsequently raised within the household of Dennis Morris and Hester.

Estate Planning and Agreements: By 1720, Thomas Jr. had accumulated substantial household goods, such as "two new feather beds, etc" suggesting plans to establish his own household, likely with Hester after her husband Dennis died in 1716. When Thomas Jr. faced his own premature death in 1720, he revised his plans. The will appears to be structured around an agreement with his father, Thomas Sr.: the 200-acre plantation would pass to his half-brother John Townsend (keeping the land in the primary family line), and in return, Thomas Sr. would take custody of and the schoolin and upbring of young Bevans Morris until he turned 18. Sadly, Hester Morris died shortly thereafter in 1722.

     Esther (--?--) died.

     Nathaniel Evans married Arcadia Townsend, daughter of Henry Townsend and Rhoda Philby, in 1774 at Northampton, Virginia, British Colonial America. He died before 30 April 1783 at Accomack, Virginia, United States.

     Catherine Townsend was the daughter of Thomas Townsend Sr. and Sarah (--?--). She married Adkins Massey. She died.

     Esther Townsend married Dennis Kelly circa 1721 at Accomack, Virginia, British Colonial America. She died.

     Sarah (--?--) married Thomas Townsend Sr., son of John Townsend, circa 1706 at Accomack, Virginia, British Colonial America. She died before 4 July 1728 at Accomack, Virginia, America. She was buried before 4 July 1728 at Accomack, Virginia, America.

     Rachel Townsend was the daughter of Thomas Townsend Sr. and (--?--) (--?--). She married Benjamin Royal circa 1724. She married William Cooke before 1751. She died before 25 June 1765 at Accomack, Virginia, America.

     Jane Townsend was the daughter of Thomas Townsend Sr. and Sarah (--?--).

     Ephriam Massey was the son of Adkins Massey and Catherine Townsend. He died after 1752.

     Adkins Massey married Catherine Townsend, daughter of Thomas Townsend Sr. and Sarah (--?--). He died after 4 February 1726 at Worcester, Maryland, British Colonial America.

     Stephen Townsend was the son of Thomas Townsend Sr. and Sarah (--?--). He married Mary (--?--) circa 1729 at Accomack, Virginia, America. He died before 25 February 1767 at Accomack, Virginia, British Colonial America. He was buried circa 25 February 1767 at Accomack, Virginia, British Colonial America.
     Biography of Stephen Townsend:

On 5 May 1736, Stephen Townsend gifted 200 acres of land that his brother John Townsend. had been given by his half brother Thomas when Thomas died in 1720.¹ According to their father Thomas Townsend Sr."s 1728 John was to gift that land to Stephen when Stephen reached the age of 23. This suggess that Steven was born about 1712.

On 4 February 1767 Stephen signed his Last Will and Testament² leaving his five children: son Stephen Townsend, daughter Joan Cambell, son Littleton Townsend. daughter Mary Townsend and son James Townsend specific household furnishings, livestock, tools, implements, etc. to each of them and "all the rest be Equally divided between my five children as before mentioned”. There is no mention of his wife, suggesting she was deceased. Stephen, Littleton and Mary were named executors. The will was signed Stephen (his S mark) Townsend and proved 26 February 1767. He left a will on 4 February 1767 at Accomack, Virginia, British Colonial America; 4 Feb 1767
Accomack Wills 1761-1767
Will of Stephen Townsend
Willed to:
To son Stephen Townsend
Daughter Joan Cambell
To son Littleton Townsend
Daughter Mary Townsend
Son James Townsend
Specific items, beds, corn, pigs, sows, pewter ware, white horse, etc.
“Item Will that all the rest be Equally divided between my five children as before mentioned”
Stephen, Littleton and Mary are named executors
Signed Stephen (his S mark) Townsend
Proved 25 Feb 1767
Page 220, image 744. URL: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/62347/images/007643843_00742.³

     Female Massey was the daughter of Adkins Massey and Catherine Townsend. She married Andrew Gray circa 1735 at Worcester Co., Maryland. She died.

     William Cooke married Rachel Townsend, daughter of Thomas Townsend Sr. and (--?--) (--?--), before 1751. He died before 30 December 1761.

     Esther Townsend was the daughter of Thomas Townsend Sr. and (--?--) (--?--).

     Thomas Kelly was the son of Dennis Kelly and Esther Townsend. He married Tabitha Tatham circa 1748 at Accomack, Virginia, British Colonial America. He died in 1784 at Accomack, Virginia, United States.