Thomas Townsend

Citations

1. [S124] A Memorial of John, Henry, and Richard Townsend & their descendants., page 121-123 - Thomas' This second son of John seems to have resembled his father in his untiring energy and activity, which, with a remarkable faculty for conciliating all around him, joined to a very superior mind and education, made him a most important person in the new settlement. He must have been over twenty-one when the family came to Oyster Bay, but he does not appear much upon the Records for a few years. After that, there was no public matter in which he did not take an active and leading part, besides being very much consulted and employed by his neighbors about their private affairs. For many years, there is scarcely a page in the Records upon which his name does not appear; and there can be no doubt that, if placed in a wider sphere of action, he would have achieved celebrity. In the settlement of the boundaries with Huntington, Hempstead, and Robert Williams, in the purchase of lands from the Indians, and procuring of patents from the Governors, the services of " our trusty and well-beloved friend, Thomas Townsend," were indispensable. There was no office of any consequence in the town which he did not hold, several at one time, and never without one, from his first appearance until he left Oyster Bay. He was Captain of the militia, Constable, Surveyor, Recorder, and Justice. The idea of an important person holding some of these offices is ludicrous to us, but it was far from being so with that generation ; they were all honorable posts, in their eyes. His Majesty's Justices of the Peace were always men of the highest position and consideration. The office of Surveyor was especially important. That the persons who held it should be men of ability in their profession, and of integrity, was absolutely necessary. Otherwise, in a new settlement, where the divisions were so numerous and small, their whole system would have been thrown into chaos. There are indications that the Town-Clerks-at least Thomas and his son-acted in that capacity not merely as Recorders, but as lawyers. And the Constable, in his official capacity, waits upon the Governor on various important matters. Thomas Townsend was not less popular with the Indians than with the whites. Besides selling him very large tracts, they gave land to his sons and to his daughters,-an unparalleled instance. The few of his writings extant, are remarkable for perspicuity and condensation. The name of his first wife, the mother of his children, is unknown. Dr. P. Townsend says the second was Mary, daughter of Colonel Job Almy, of Rhode Island, and a sister of Audrey, wife of James 1st, of Jericho. About 1673, he built the house lately owned by Mrs. Summers. In 1686, he removed to Portsmouth, Rhode Island, where be held the office of Sheriff. He returned to Oyster Bay in 1697, but remained a very short time, and went to Tiberton, Bristol County, Boston Colony. At the death of his son, in 1709, he came back to Oyster Bay, and was immediately elected Recorder, the office being left vacant by John's death. The last time he appears upon the Records is in 1712, when he could not have been less than seventy-five, probably more. There is reason to think he returned to Rhode Island and died there. -Issue, Temperance, Sylvanus, Freelove, Sarah, John. The first two died in infancy.
2. [S458] Martha J. Burke, Townsends: Dutchess County, New York [Part II], II. CAPT. THOMAS TOWNSEND - Baptized 9 April, 1645, Dutch Church, New Amsterdam, N.Y. Capt. Thomas was of Oyster Buy, New York and Rhode Island. He married (1) )Sarah Coles, daughter of Robert and Mary (Hawkhurst) Coles, the mother of all of his children; married (2) Mary (Unthank) Almy, daughter of Christopher Unthankand Susannah (?) of Warwick, Rhode Island. Mary was the widow of Col. Job Almy of Rhode Island and the mother of Audrey and Susannah Almy. (PLEASE CORRECT PG. 122 IN YOUR TOWNSEND MEMORIALS). The identification of Thomas' first wife was made by the late George W. Cocks; foil details see John H. Jones, Jones Family of Long Island, 1907, pp 58-9. Issue: Temperance, Sylvanus, (both died young), Freelove (married Major Thomas Jones); Mary (married (1) )William McCoun, (2) Richard Drage;) Sarah (married Abraham Underhill) and JOHN. REF.: PORTSMOUTH, RHODE ISLAND TOWN COUNCIL RECORDS, VOL. 2, submitted to the society by member #7, Edward T. Barnard: "The Town Council of the Town of Portsmouth, the 19th day of the 10th month, 1715 . . . whereas an inventory was presented by Mary Townsend, widow of Capt. Thomas Townsend and Thomas Townsend, grandson of Capt. Thomas Townsend, for probate. The said Thomas Townsend refusing the administration whereupon a Letter of Administration was granted the said Mary Townsend . . . whereas Capt. Thomas Townsend of the Town of Portsmouth in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation in New England was deceased the 26h day of the 9th month, 1715 and did not leave any written will or Testament . . . etc. Signed Wrn. Sandford, Clerk. MEMORANDUM (same document) of agreement made in the presence of the Town Council of the Town of Portsmouth on the one part and Thomas Townsend resident of the town aforesaid on the other part WITNESSETH AND SAITH that whereas he the said Thomas Townsend having received the sum of five pounds current money of New England and all the wearing apparel of his grandfather Thomas Townsend of Portsmouth, deemed, it being in lieu of his part of the movable estate of the above said Thomas Townsend, do acknowledge myself therewith content and fully satisfied and do forever QUIT CLAIM any other part or parcel hereof. Witness my hand and seal the day and the year above written. Signed with a large letter T. Mark acknowledged and sealed as that of Thomas Townsend."
3. [S458] Martha J. Burke, Townsends: Dutchess County, New York [Part II], Spring 1994 - Baptismal records of the Dutch Reformed Church, New Amsterdam - 14 December 1642 child Thomas, parent: Jan Tousen, witness: Hendrick Tousen, Rebecca Brenten, Claertje Gerrits; 9 April 1645 child Thomas, parent: Jan Tousen, witness: Thomas Teylen, Thomas Hall, Janneken Thomas, Anna Bedder.
4. [S528] Jan Folkerts, The Failure of West India Company Farming on the Island of Manhattan, 9 April 1645 - Thomas; parents: Jan Thouser; witnesses: Thomas Steylen, Thomas Hall, Janneken Thomas, Anna Bedder - http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/E/wic/wic06.htm