Betsey Ann Townsend

     Betsey Ann was born on Thursday, 20 October 1814 in Greenville, Greene County, New York. Betsey Ann married James B. Hoffman in April 1833 in Cayuga County, New York. James & Betsey had children: Phebe Jane [1/10/1834-10/18/1921][m. 2/04/1857 Jasper N. Bacon], Benjamin F. [1838], Edwin Marion [2/18/1841][m. 4/06/1869 Mary Esbaugh], Anette [4/07/1045][m. 11/30/1871 Isaac Lamb], Luther Newton [12/29/1047][7/17/1870 Effie Duncan] & Maria Ida [3/26/1850][m.3/26/1870 Frank Haslin].¹ The 1840 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Somerset Town, Niagara County, New York, the family of James B. Hoffman [10001:1001].² 24 July 1860, Betsey and her husband James were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Somerset Town. Enumerated in this household were James B. Hoffman [49 New York], his wife: Betsy A. [45 New York], children: Edwin M. [19 New York], Annetta [15 New York], Luther N. [12 New York], & Maria I. [10 New York].³ 22 September 1870, Betsey and her husband, James, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Somerset Town. Enumerated in this household were James B. Hoffman [59 New York], his wife: Betsey A. [55 New York], children: Annett A. [25 New York][teacher], L. Newton [23 New York][farm laborer], & Ida [20 New York][teacher].⁴ 2 June 1880, Betsey and her husband, James, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Somerset Town. Enumerated in this household were James Hoffman [69 New York], his wife: Betsy [66 New York], Edwin [40 New York], Marge [38 New York], & Carrie [9 New York]. James is a retired far,er.⁵ Betsey's husband, James, died on 16 June 1884 in West Somerset leaving her a widow. Betsey departed this life on Friday, 15 September 1905 in West Somerset at age 90 years, 10 months and 26 days. She was buried there in the Baptist Churchyard. The inscription on her tombstone reads: Betsey A Townsend - wife of J. B. Hoffman- Born Oct. 20, 1814 - Died Sept. 15, 1905.⁶