John Townsend1,2
M, b. circa 1701, d. circa 30 October 1760
| Father | "Justice" John Townsend b. 28 Aug 1672, d. 6 Nov 1709 |
| Mother | Rebekah Almy b. 26 Jan 1671, d. 24 Feb 1703 |
John was born circa 1701 in Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island. John was never married. John made his will on 13 January 1730 at the Town of Oyster Bay, Queens County, Long Island, New York.
I, John Townsend of the township of Oyster Bay in Queens County an the Island of Nassau although sick in body etc. . . . Imprimis: I will that all my debts as I owe shall be truely paid. Item: I give and bequeath to my sister's son William Coxon fifty pounds of lawful money of the Province of New York. Item: I give to my brother Thomas Townsend ten pounds of like money and unto my very good friend Gorvas Mudge (of the township and county aforesaid) whom I make executor of this my last will and testament I give ... line is illegible and him and his heirs all my lands, tantamonts and hereditants whatsoever and whosoever which I charge with the payment of my debts legacies and funeral expenses. In witness whereof I set my hand and seal the 13th day of January, Anno Dom 1730. Witnesses: Thomas Pearsall, Thomas Pearsall, Jr. and Nathaniel Pearsall."
John departed this life in the Town of Oyster Bay, Queens County, Long Island, New York. His will was probated on 30 October 1760. Attached thereto is the following statement. "To the Secretary of New York or his deputy in
Queens County . . . whereas my brother John Townsend of Oyster Bay deceased did constitute Jervis Mudge sole executor of his last will and testament which said Jarvis Mudge did die long before my said brother and I being the only surviving legatee it is said the right of administration is mine therefore considering my age and infirmity I hereby renounce the administration of the same and desire that administration may be granted to one with the next right of which number it is said that my nephew Townsend Dickenson is one and am free that ministration should be granted him. Signed at Oyster Bay, October 20, 1760 in the presence of Thomas Pearsall. Administration was granted to
Townsend Dickenson by Cadwalladar Colden, Esq., President of His Majesty's Council, Commander in Chief of the Province of New York and the territories dependent therein in America.
I, John Townsend of the township of Oyster Bay in Queens County an the Island of Nassau although sick in body etc. . . . Imprimis: I will that all my debts as I owe shall be truely paid. Item: I give and bequeath to my sister's son William Coxon fifty pounds of lawful money of the Province of New York. Item: I give to my brother Thomas Townsend ten pounds of like money and unto my very good friend Gorvas Mudge (of the township and county aforesaid) whom I make executor of this my last will and testament I give ... line is illegible and him and his heirs all my lands, tantamonts and hereditants whatsoever and whosoever which I charge with the payment of my debts legacies and funeral expenses. In witness whereof I set my hand and seal the 13th day of January, Anno Dom 1730. Witnesses: Thomas Pearsall, Thomas Pearsall, Jr. and Nathaniel Pearsall."
John departed this life in the Town of Oyster Bay, Queens County, Long Island, New York. His will was probated on 30 October 1760. Attached thereto is the following statement. "To the Secretary of New York or his deputy in
Queens County . . . whereas my brother John Townsend of Oyster Bay deceased did constitute Jervis Mudge sole executor of his last will and testament which said Jarvis Mudge did die long before my said brother and I being the only surviving legatee it is said the right of administration is mine therefore considering my age and infirmity I hereby renounce the administration of the same and desire that administration may be granted to one with the next right of which number it is said that my nephew Townsend Dickenson is one and am free that ministration should be granted him. Signed at Oyster Bay, October 20, 1760 in the presence of Thomas Pearsall. Administration was granted to
Townsend Dickenson by Cadwalladar Colden, Esq., President of His Majesty's Council, Commander in Chief of the Province of New York and the territories dependent therein in America.
Citations
- [S453] Martha Burke, Solomon Townsend of Rhode Island, As young adults, Thomas and John Townsend returned to Oyster Bay, where John died unmarried. At the time of John's estate settlement, in 1760, his brother Thomas was still living in Dutchess, Co., NY, where he had already lived some 20 years.
- [S458] Martha J. Burke, Townsends: Dutchess County, New York [Part II], John Townsend - abstract of his will & probate information - Regarding Philena Townsend. Dr. Lawrence Townsend in his book, A SYSTEM OF GENEALOGIOAL IDENTIFICATION FOR THE TOWNSEND FAMILY, lists Philena as marrying (1) )in 1719, William Coggeshall; (2) James Martin on 4 March, 1729. Coggeshall is a well-known Rhode Island name. It has been suggested that "CoxoI" would come pretty close to the way Coggeshall was or is pronounced. The will of John Townsend is quite legible and quite clearly says: "to my sister's son William Coxon.'' Further study must be made on this point.