Solomon Townsend

Citations

1. [S453] Martha Burke, Solomon Townsend of Rhode Island, In the year 2001, it is difficult to guess why so little was said about Solomon Townsend on p. 94 of the Townsend Memorial. It is certain that the compilers knew more than indicated, because of other pieces that turn up in the book. Dr. Peter Townsend upon whom the compiler relied, wrote in his notebook that he had visited his Rhode Island cousins in company of Isaiah Townsend of Orange Co., N.Y.. On pages 98 and 99, there is material on Solomon Townsend, son of Samuel Townsend and Sarah (Stoddard) who was caught in France while a mariner when the Revolutionary War broke out in this country. He got a signed pass from Benjamin Franklin and this pass is quoted in the MEMORIAL. Whoever inherited the pass probably also had Solomon's diary about his trip homeward from Boston. In the diary Solomon mentions all of his Rhode Is-land cousins whom he visited on his way. Perhaps much information was excluded about Rhode Island and Dutchess Co.,NY in an effort to control the size of the book.
   SOLOMON TOWNSEND, GRANDSON OF JOHN TOWNSEND2 (John) SOLOMON TOWNSEND4 was the fourth child and second son of John Townsend2 and his wife Hannah (-). Solomon was born at Oyster Bay, ca. 1670-2. He married Catherine Almy, dau. of Col. Job Almy and Mary (Unthank) of Rhode Island. Thomas Townsend2, brother of John2, md as his second wife, Mary (Unthank) Almy, widow of Col. Job Almy. In the estate settlement of Col. Job Almy the ages of his minor children are given. Catherine was b. in 1674 so Solomon was only slightly older.
   SOLOMON and his wife Catherine took a certificate from the Westbury Meeting to Rhode Island in 2nd mo (April), 1707. (Quaker Record ) A journal kept by someone in the family states that "Solomon Townsend died of snakebite while mowing" but neglected to give a date. However, a deed recorded at Oyster Bay on 13 Jan., 1726/7 calls Solomon deceased. (OBTR 4:453)
   ..... Children of Solomon Townsend and Catherine (Almy)
   1.     Job4 b. 1699/1700 in the Town of Oyster Bay, d. 18 Jan 1765 at New-port, R.I. Job md. Rebecca Case and they had a family. She b. 11 Nov 1702, d. 30 Jan 1783. They are buried in Clifton Ground, Newport, RI.
   2.     Christopher, b. 1701/2 in the Town of Oyster Bay, d. 26 Dec 1787 at Newport, R.I. He md, Patience Easton on 26 Dec 1723. She d. 12 Mar 1789.
   Solomon, a mariner, md. Lydia Tillinghast. There are 6 vessels registered to Solomon either under his own name or with partners at New-port. Many years ago a researcher started to write about Solomon and then said that Solomon was "engaged in the 'Mahogany Trade'". This was interpreted to mean that Solomon was a slaver and the subject of Solomon was dropped. Too bad, since all of Solomon's brothers were engaged in the business of making excellent mahogany furniture, I suggest that Solomon was also in the family business of bringing that tropical wood to Newport either from Honduras, the Indies or even Africa. Lydia Tillinghast Townsend is buried in Newport's Common Ground with several small children. There is no stone for Solomon. At the pre-sent, there seems to be no information on a family, if any survived.
   3. Deborah
   4. Ann
   5. Hannah, md. John Waterman on 5 Jun 1729 at Newport, he being the son of Binoni and Sarah Waterman.