Nancy Matilda Townsend

     Nancy Matilda was born on Saturday, 5 July 1834 in West Somerset, Niagara County, New York. She may have gone by the name of Nancy Matilda. Nancy Matilda married Joseph Attwood Dutcher on 25 December 1858 in Howell, Livingston County, Michigan.^1,2 8 June 1860, Nancy was listed on the U.S. Federal Census in White Oaks Township, Ingham County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were J.A. Dutcher [26 New York] M. [25 New York] & S.N. [7/12 Michigan]. He is a farmer; their real estate is valued at $800 and their personal esate at $276.³ 30 June 1870, Nancy and her husband, Joseph, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in White Oaks Township, Ingham County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were J. A. Dutcher [36 New York-farmer], his wife, Matilda [35 New York], children: Sanford [10 Michigan], Furman [6 Michigan], Enos [4 Michigan], & Soretta [1 Michigan].⁴ 21 June 1880, Nancy and her husband, Joseph, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Duplain, Clinton County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were Joseph A. Dutcher [46 New York], Matilda [45 New York], Sanford [20 Michigan], Firman [15 Michigan], Enos S. [13 Michigan], Lorettq [11 MIchigan] & George [7 Michigan]. Joseph is a farmer.⁵ 13 June 1900, Nancy and her husband Joseph were listed on the U.S. Federal Census at Emerson Township, Gratiot County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were Joseph A Dutcher [64 New York - Jan 1836], Matilda [63 New York, July 1836], George W. [27 Michigan - July 1872] & daugher in-law: Mertie B. [19 Michigan - Aug 1880]. Joseph and Matilda have been married 41 yearsThey have had 7 children, 5 living. George and Mertie have not had any children. They have been married 5 years. They farming on land they own free and clear.⁶ Nancy's husband, Joseph, died on 6 September 1902 in Alma, Gratiot County, Michigan, leaving her a widow. 22 April 1910, the U.S. Federal Census listed Nancy living in the home of her son at Pentwater Village, Oceana County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were George N. Dutcher [37 Michigan], Mertie [29 Michigan], Vi [9 Michigan] Leon L [5 Michigan], Rowland F. [11/12 Michigan] & mother: Matilda [75 New York] [widow]. Mertie has had 3 children all living, Matilda has had 7 children 5 living. They are renting their home.⁷ Nancy departed this life on Tuesday, 5 December 1911 in Muskegon Heights, Muskegon County, Michigan. She was buried at Alma in Riverside Cemetery. The inscription on her tombstone reads: MOTHER -- 1834 -1911.⁸