George Townsend

M, b. circa 1656, d. before 19 May 1698
FatherJohn Townsend I b. c 1615, d. 1668
MotherElizabeth Montgomerie d. a 1668
     George was born circa 1656 probably at Warwick, Kent County, Rhode Island. George married Mary Hawkhurst on 17 November 1684. George's wife, Mary, died, leaving him a widower. George married 2nd Meribah Harcourt in 1690. George made his will on 20 November 1697 at the Town of Oyster Bay, Queens County, Long Island, New York.

In the name of God Amen. I George Townsend of Oyster bay in Queens County on the Island of Nassau in the collony of New York being weak & sick of body. . . .
I give unto my eldest son George all my land which I bought of the Indians lying near unto the little plains with all my right in the new purchase & one breeding mare.
I give to my second son Richard all my land lying & being at the head of Mill river with all my meadow at the south and half a right of comons in the old purchase. . . .
I give unto my youngest son Samuell all my homestead with all my two shares of meadow in ye towne & one right of comons in the old purchase. . . .
I give unto my daughter Sarah fifty acres of land that I took up of second division in the old purchase . . . with a feather bed & furniture convenient to it & two cows.
I do give to my wife the whole command of all my lands & meadows so long as she remains my widow but if she should marry again then the abovesd premises to return to my children according as is before expressed.
I give to my wife the one half of my movables both within doors & without excepting what I have already given to my son George & my daughter Sarah which shall be if she excepts [sic, accepts] of it in the liew of her dower or thirds & the other half of my movable estate shall be divided equally amongst all my children & if it should happen that any of my children should die without issue & not having disposed of their land or portion then it shall be equally divided between my surviving children. . . .
Lastly I do make my wife and my eldest son George my whole executors . . . and appoint my trust & well beloved friends James Weeks, Richard Willetts & Samuel Dickinson to be overseers of this my will to be helpfull to my executors & to see that all my children have their portions according to this my will.
Signed 29th day of November 1697.
George Townsend
Witnessed: Job Wright, Henry Weeks, John Townsend
[Queens County, New York Wills: Liber A, page 128].1

George departed this life in the Town of Oyster Bay, Queens County, Long Island, New York. His will was probated on 19 May 1698. The will was proved at the County Court in Jamaica. " The two executors were appointed, even though George Jr. was only eleven years old.

Family 1

Mary Hawkhurst

Citations

  1. [S450] Four Wills, Will of George Townsend, 1698. The second Townsend will in Queens County Liber A is that of George2 Townsend (John1), entered at page 128. The following is an abstract of the pertinent wording of this will:
    In the name of God Amen. I George Townsend of Oyster bay in Queens County on the Island of Nassau in the collony of New York being weak & sick of body. . . .
    I give unto my eldest son George all my land which I bought of the Indians lying near unto the little plains with all my right in the new purchase & one breeding mare.
    I give to my second son Richard all my land lying & being at the head of Mill river with all my meadow at the south and half a right of comons in the old purchase. . . .
    I give unto my youngest son Samuell all my homestead with all my two shares of meadow in ye towne & one right of comons in the old purchase. . . .
    I give unto my daughter Sarah fifty acres of land that I took up of second division in the old purchase . . . with a feather bed & furniture convenient to it & two cows.
    I do give to my wife the whole command of all my lands & meadows so long as she remains my widow but if she should marry again then the abovesd premises to return to my children according as is before expressed.
    I give to my wife the one half of my movables both within doors & without excepting what I have already given to my son George & my daughter Sarah which shall be if she excepts [sic, accepts] of it in the liew of her dower or thirds & the other half of my movable estate shall be divided equally amongst all my children & if it should happen that any of my children should die without issue & not having disposed of their land or portion then it shall be equally divided between my surviving children. . . .
    Lastly I do make my wife and my eldest son George my whole executors . . . and appoint my trust & well beloved friends James Weeks, Richard Willetts & Samuel Dickinson to be overseers of this my will to be helpfull to my executors & to see that all my children have their portions according to this my will.
    [Signed] 29th day of November 1697. George Townsend [Witnessed by] Job Wright, Henry Weeks, John Townsend
    The will was proved at the County Court in Jamaica 19th May "in the tenth year of the reigne of our sovereign Lord Wm. the third King of England &c Annoq. Dom. 1698." The two executors were appointed, even though George (Jr.) was only eleven years old! For George's family see the Townsend Memorial, Chapter VII. His widow Meribah (Harcourt) Townsend married Abraham Alling.