Christopher Townsend1,2,3

M, b. 22 July 1776, d. 23 June 1855
FatherChristopher Townsend b. c 1739, d. b 22 Mar 1809
MotherLydia (?)
     Christopher was born on Monday, 22 July 1776 in Fredricksburg, Dutchess County, New York. Christopher married Bathia Rider, daughter of David Rider [possible son], circa 1794 in Dutchess County, New York. In January of 1806, Christopher & Bethia were living in Greenville, Green County, New York. Later they moved to Cayuga County, New York where they probably settled in the vicinity of Westbury, in the northwestern part of the county, near where the Hoffman and the Bacon families were living. Probably about the year 1830 these three families migrated to lands owned by the Holland Purchase Company in the township of Somerset, Niagara County, New York. Here they settled in that section later to be known as West Somerset. It is probable that Christopher & his wife did not go to Niagara County till later than the others, for on their arrival in West Somerset, they made their home with their youngest daughter Betsey Ann, who had married James B. Hoffman in 1833. Their home was on a farm on the Hoffman Road about two miles southwest of the present West Somerset Baptist Church. They had fourteen children but only know names of the nine who grew to maturity. Two died in infancy and of three others there is no record. The 1800 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Coxsackie Town, Greene County, New York, the family of Christopher Townsend [10100:20100].4 The 1810 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Greenville Town, Greene County, New York, the family of Christopher Townsend had 10 members in his family. The 1820 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Greenville Town, Greene County, New York, the family of Cristopher Townsend [210210:12210].5 The 1830 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Greenville Town, Greene County, New York, the family of Christopher Townsend [00100001:00012001].6 The 1840 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Somerset Town, Niagara County, New York, the family of Christopher Townsend [000000001:000000001].7 Christopher's wife, Bathia, died on 13 April 1844 in West Somerset, Niagara County, New York, leaving him a widower.8 12 July 1850, Christopher was listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Somerset Town, Niagara County, New York. Enumerated in this household were Christopher Townsend [70 New York] & his daughter: Phebe Pickett [54 New York].9 Christopher departed this life on Saturday, 23 June 1855 in West Somerset, Niagara County, New York.10 After 23 June 1855, Christopher was buried at the Baptist Churchyard, West Somerset, Niagara County, New York.

Family

Bathia Rider b. 20 Sep 1777, d. 13 Apr 1844
Children

Citations

  1. [S458] Martha J. Burke, Townsends: Dutchess County, New York [Part II], VI. CHRISTOPHER TOWNSEND, JR. - All of the following was found by member no. 165, Mrs. Claude R. Bell in the Pioneer Files of the State of Michigan. born 29 July, 1776, Southeast Precinct, Dutchess County, N.Y. Died 23 June, 1855, Township of Somerset, Niagara County, N.Y. Married Bathea (Bethia) Rider, ca 1793. She born 20 September, 1777 and died 13 April, 1844, buried with her husband in Baptist Church Yard, West Somerset, Niagara County, N.Y. "In January, 1806, Christopher and Bethia (Rider) Townsend were living in Greenfield (now called Greenville) Green County, N.Y. where their twin daughters Matilda and Marilda were born. They were still living there in October 1814, when their youngest daughter Betsey Ann was born. Later they moved to Cayuga County, New York where they probably settled in the vicinity of Westbury, in the northwestern part of the county, near where the Hoffman and the Bacon families were living. (Note the mention of Cayuga County, the place the Rev. Thomas R. Townsend dated his 1860 letter). Probably about the year 1830 these three families migrated to lands owned by the Holland Purchase Company in the township of Somerset, Niagara County, N.Y. Here they settled in that section later to be known as West Somerset.. It is probable that Christopher Townsend and his wife did not go to Niagara County till later than the others, for on their arrival in West Somerset, they made their home with their youngest daughter Betsey Ann, who had married James B. Hoffman in 1833. Their home was on a farm on the Hoffman Road about two miles southwest of the present West Somerset Baptist Church. Of their fourteen children, we have the names of nine who grew to maturity. Two died in infancy and of three others there is no record. Issue: Phebe, married David Pickett, and resided in Michigan. Deborah, married Philander Hopkins. Jefferson, married Nellie N. Schutt, resided in Lockport, Niagara County, N.Y. and Kingston, Ulster Co., N.Y. Matilda, married Isaac Cox, resided Somerset, N.Y. Marilda married Jacob Weston, resided Dexter, Washtenaw Co., Michigan. Samuel, married Asanath Bagley, resided in Michigan. Minor, married Jane Shepard, resided in Michigan. Betsey Ann, married James B. Hoffman, resided at Somerset, N.Y. Luther, married Marcena Bagley, resided at West Somerset, N.Y.
  2. [S1322] By Brent A. Schlottman, Additions to the First Five Generations of Descendants of Edmund Weston of Duxbury, Massachusetts, page 66 - as written in Jacob Weston Bible
    probably in the hand of Marilda Townsend Weston
    Christopher Townsend was born July 25 1776
    Bethiah Townsend was born Sept 20 1777
    Phebe Townsend was born June 1st 1793
    Deborah Townsend was born March 31, 1797
    Samuel Townsend was born May 20th 1799
    Jefferson Townsend was born Sept 28th 1801
    Sarah Townsend was born Aug 16th 1802
    Matilda & Marilda Townsend was born Jan 8th 1806
    Minor Townsend was born Feb 8th 1808
    Betsy Townsend was bortn Oct 20th 1814
    Luther Townsend was born May 7th 1816.
  3. [S1324] Gertrude Mann, Christopher Townsend and some of his Descendants, pages 3-4.
  4. [S669] 1800 United States Federal Census: Greene County, New York - page 1116 - Two lines before Christopher is a David Rider [10001:11011]. - transcribed by Larry & Kathy McCurdy.
  5. [S671] 1820 United States Federal Census: Greene County, New York - Sheet 87 - transcribed by Larry & Kathy McCurdy.
  6. [S672] 1830 United States Federal Census: Greene County, New York - Sheet 158 - transcribed by Larry & Kathy McCurdy.
  7. [S673] 1840 United States Federal Census: Niagara County, New York - Sheet 154 - transcribed by Larry & Kathy McCurdy.
  8. [S1322] By Brent A. Schlottman, Additions to the First Five Generations of Descendants of Edmund Weston of Duxbury, Massachusetts, page 67 - Bethiah Townsend died Apr 13, 1844.
  9. [S674] 1850 United States Federal Census: Niagara County, New York - Sheet 356, line 12 - transcribed by Larry & Kathy McCurdy.
  10. [S1322] By Brent A. Schlottman, Additions to the First Five Generations of Descendants of Edmund Weston of Duxbury, Massachusetts, page 67 - Christopher Townsend died Jun 23, 18 [55?].