DESMOND TOWNSEND FAMILY MEMOIRS
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Townsend Family Memoir Recollections
During early searches I came across an alternate
of Townsend used during the reign of Edward III. There was an Andrew ATTE Tounsende living in Chippenham.
Source was ‘Abstracts of Inquisitions’ relative to Wiltshire.
Melksham. There were a number
of townsend’s in the 1841 census e.g. reel 689
Chippenham There were a number of Townsend’s
in the 1851 census -reel 700 and they appear largely in Wood Lane on the Derry Hill side of Chippenham
-however no obvious connections.
Tytherton 1841 census shows a William Dolman born Stanley living
at 37 Tytherton. A Willaim Dolman appears in 1857 as witness at William and Ann’s wedding. If he is the
same man he would be 38 in 1857 . The other witness was Jane Brittain.
John Townsend was buried
on the 14th Feb. 1848, age 80. Date of birth around 1768 believe buried Derry Hill. See Spreadsheet
entry 1769 , father Jacob Townsend mother Betty Townsend.. See also your entry 9.3.1760[marriage] .Does
this fir?
George Townsend [Mother Ann Franklin] was christened at Hilmartin on 15.7.
1796.
George Townsend baseborn Son of Ann Townsend was christened at Calne 9.10. 1796. This
subsequently turned out to be a false lead, Our George was twin brother of Mary was christened in 1803
in Bremhill.
Anne Townsend Buried June 12 th 1862 age 30 at Derry Hill.
Calne Registers-
A Note I have indicates birth of a son William to Ann [Townsend?] born 14.2.1809. Father reputed to be
Richard Sims.
Burial Bremhill March 30th 1865 , Elizabeth Townsend of Calne ,Union Workhouse Age
85!!
Burial Derry Hill 11th Jan 1869 Elizabeth Townsend OF Derry Hill age 53.
Alfred Townsend
Baptised Bremhill 30th Aug 1840. Child baseborn resident in Bremhill. See your Spreadsheets.
Christened
10.10.1859 Derry Hill. Thomas Townsend and Tryphena ?? Were these the children of Ann Brittain. Source
uncertain could be Derry Hill registers or from Mormon records.
Burial Derry Hill - 7th June 1888
age 62. George Townsend of Derry Hill. This could be the brother of William the elder.
Too early
for us at the moment perhaps but Bremhill register shows the following entry on 20.7.1701. Mary daughter
of Richard Townsend[labourer], and Mary Townsend.
George Townsend so of Ann Comley was christened
in Chippenham 30.11.1821. According to my notes the source is Mormon records. My mother knew Comley’s
in fact ‘Tryphena’ married a Comley. Interbreeding was rife in Wiltshire.
1841 Census -Melksham
shows Mary Merchant 45 Spinner Ann “ and George Townsend 25 No known connection
Sarah Townsend christened 10.10.1859. Location unknown Daughter of William and Ann- Sister to
our Grandfathers. My mother and probably your Dad knew this lady. She married John Knight- have not
traced his normal location but I suspect that I have it
I have a note on a reference card indicating
a William Townsend christened on 24 th July 1836 parents from Bremhill George and Mary. His date of
marriage was 29th Sept 1857. Date of death was unknown and remains so. Marriage was at Christchurch
Derry Hill. There were family rumours of him being seen in the London area and William the younger [your
and my Grandfather] quoted him on fragment of his marriage certificate that I have as a Fruit Merchant
or similar- I have mislaid the actual certificate somewhere in my pile of papers. Isomehow think that
I should endeavor to get another copy of this certificate.
Marriage of George and Mary Davis
at Bremhill date 22.2.1819. I have a note that this marriage was ‘with parents’ consent . This probably
indicates that they were younger than that required for own decision on marriage. This again raises the
question in my mind of Thomas Townsend father of Flo [dodger], see the 1861 Census records for Ann and
William This census indicates that Thomas was 8 years old i.e. 5 years younger than William the younger,
was he Ann’s son before she married William??? This has bugged me for years!
If I am
correct on the above item then it may be useful to log the following.
1. Joseph son of William
and Matilda Brittain baptised Bremhill 22 Jan 1832
1871 Census Reel 739
for 110 Blackdog Hill. This si the main road towards Calne from Derry Hill. The occupants were
Thomas Burgess age 46 Ag. Lab. Elizabeth Burgess wife age 45 William Townsend age 13 nephew
I wonder if this is the ‘Aunt Betsy’ that my mother used to refer to. Apparently our two Grandfathers
left the bosom of the family by way of the upstairs window to walk to Wales for a job, where they worked
in a colliery before joining the Royal Navy.
The Grandmother of our Grandfathers came from Bremhill
said Sarah Townsend when talking to my mother [her doughtier]
John Townsend- Burial 14th Feb.
1848 age 80 residence Studley.- See your spreadsheet [baptismal] 1769. My entry queries whether he is
husband of Elizabeth and or the father of George ???. I also have another note that if he is the father
of George born 1803[ or baptised] then John T. would be 35.
Bremhill Marriage registers 1798 [22
Jan] John Townsend and Sarah Jones both Bremhill. Witnesses were Thomas Simkins and Thomas Killing.
Seen by DFT and MMT during inspection of the original records in 1967.
Bremhill Marriage Register 11 th Sept. 1797 John Townsend and Sarah
Smallcombe.
Ann Townsend Daughter of Charlotte Townsend born Calne Nov. 25th 1796. Father reputed
to be Richard Noyce . Christening ?? Bremhill Dec. 11th 1796. Mormon Fiche 7243 refers.
George
Townsend on rate list for Tytherton 16800-1693 confirmed alive 1697 and 1714, known dead 1734.
1841 and 1851 Census I have a number of ‘Townsend ‘ extracts from 41 and 51 but the locations are
Chippenham and Melksham etc. I am at the moment putting these aside but I mention them in case the
‘fox’ moves in that direction!!
1841 Census Thee entry for Abbey Farm Laycock shows Sarah Davis
age 36 and Eliza Davis age 25. Hve these individuals have any connection with the Mary Davis. There
is also an entry for William Davis age 59, Miller and Sarah his wife at ‘Rawmile’ Nr. Laycock.
1871
Census Scrutiny of the the Union Poorhouse Calne shows two residents surname Townsend, Jonathon George
scholar age 10 of Calne and Mary [ is she Aunt Polly of Banstead Hospital?] Age 9. I have a birth
certificate for John G. showing date of birth 15th May 1859 ie age 12 years born Derry Hill- Pewsham-sub
district of Chippenham , father William and mother Ann- Derry Hill. Almost certainly my fathers father.
Mary almost certainly his sister but birth certificate not held.. Where was the remainder of the family??
Incidentally Aunt Polly was admitted to Banstead Hospital on 25th April 1899 logged
as age 35, but unconfirmed, she died 4th Jan 1938 assumed to be 74.
Please refer to Baptisms
2nd March 1803-spreadsheets I have a card index from the original register dated March 2nd 1803 baptism
of twins Mary and George. Daughter and son of John and Elizabeth Townsend- Note in the register- Twins
privately baptised. I do not understand the split entries for Mary and George presumably taken from Mormon
records! Any ideas. Note from PeterT I have been unable to find the wedding for John and Elizabeth
and have moved out of Wiltshire in the the groom was married in the villiage/town where the spouse came
from.
1851 Census Studley- Richard Townsend head of house age 22 Ag.lab. Born Lynham. Sarah wife
age 23 born Charlton, child Mary ? Jane ? Age 1, born Bremhill- This is an odd entry yet there does seem
to be some connection-child for example born Bremhill.
1851 Census- Laycock [not far from Derry
Hill towards Melksham now a National Trust Village] page 17 shows 78 Bowden farm, house of William
Solway-farm Bailiff House servant Mary Townsend age 20 born Studley?1831. On second thoughts too old
for’ Polly Molly Mary’ Townsend sister of our Grandfathers. She was admitted toBanstead hospital-Sutton
Surrey 25.4.1899, thought to be age 35 suggesting a birth around 1864.
Christening- Ann Townsend
at Chippenham 25.12.1834 daughter of George Townsend and Ann Townsend? Right age- wrong family?
Mormon Register.
Thomas Townsend Apparently elder brother to our Grandfather’s was married to
Harriett Matilda formerly Gay. Florence their doughtier born 16.12.1885 had several sisters. ‘Kitty’
married George Steadman. Annie married an Oliver [presumably surname]. There was a Lillie Townsned who
married a Charman [presumably surname] and an Amey who worked with Flo nicknamed ‘Dodger’ at Davis
the Cleaners- My father also worked there. The name Charman rings a bell, did he marry a relative of
the Van Overdyk’s
Ann Townsend Daughter of Abraham and Sarah. Your spreadsheet shows her baptised
2.10.1770.. My record [probably made 1970] from Mormon sheets number 7242 shows 29.10.1769
William
our Grandfather joined the Royal Navy during a Colliers strike and at a later date came back to Wales
and advised his brother Jonathon to consider joining the navy. This he did and left as a Chief Petty
Officer. He then Joined the Coastguard as an adjunct to the R.N. at the time.- Spent a couple of years
at Kilkeel near Belfast then became a Commissioned Boatsman at Arklow in the south. Rumour has it also
Coxswain of the Lifeboat.
George Townsend- Son of Ann Townsend christened Calne 9.10.1796
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Additional information added Sept 2003
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Your para 2. Relative 1841 Census. I think that this does firm up the information on George Townsend.
The only possible point in question perhaps is that a Census relies on the info. fed to them by the
individual that they are interviewing at the time. This is I suppose why we have to be so careful -
before 1837 when birth certificates became obligatory. However in this case unless something turns up
to cause question I think we are home and dry. It certainly gives a new steer to the investigation.
Your para 3. I have a record of an entry in Bremhill Marriage register dated 8.7.1779 of a
John Townsend marrying Ruth Wheale ‘with banns’ no further information noted. (SEE ALSO MORMAN FICHE
7259).
Wm. Townsing! Christened 16-7-1780 Bremhill - Father John Townsing - Mother Ruth Townsing.
John Townsing christened 3-2-1782 Bremhill - Father John Townsing - Mother Ruth Townsing.
1871 Census - Calne Union Poor House shows (Sheet 738) Jonathan Townsend - Age
10 - Born Calne (Bremhill?) - Mary Townsend - Age 9 - Born Calne (Aunt Polly
of Banstead Hospital) (Polly and Molly are apparently diminutives of Mary).
1861 Census
- No. 62 Derry Hill Born.
John Townshend - Head of House 48 AGLAB Dewsham
Elizabeth Townshend Wife 45 Bremhill
Maria Townshend Daughter 8 Scholar Pensham
Pensham is at bottom of hill from “Golden Gates. There could be some connection.
George Townsend(ing) - Christened - son of John and Elizabeth at Bremhill 2/3/1803. Mormon records
also record but the Fiche No. is uncertain, could be 606 or 906 your spreadsheet also records, I also
have a note in Nigels writing - he was secretary for a while, and it is dated 22.3.1803 and is quoted
as seen in ‘Mormon’. This entry could be an error so far as date is concerned as we often worked on the
registers quite late in the evening. Another interesting point is that I have a pencil note - undated
which says ‘cannot trace marriage’ I wonder if the Mormon registers throw any light on this entry.
John Townsend and Elizabeth Gregory - Married Bremhill 29.9.34 - Witness Thomas Gregory. Two
down and one to go!! Another of Nigels many entries! Hold! Hold! This looks like a much later marriage
- But! (BREMHILL MARRIAGE REGISTER - Page 95)
John and Elizabeth Townsend - I have two record
cards for the above. One says (2.3.1803)John married Elizabeth and it also shows baptism of Mary and
George (twins). Note: ‘privately baptised’ The second card just shows the twins baptized (privately).
Now did the happy couple decide they ought to get married before slipping the twins into the church
or did the Rev. Get on his high horse?
So far I have been unable to trace an entry for the
marriage of Philip and Jane Townsend. Oddly enough Philip as a name has appeared several times during
the 1700's.
1851 Census - Page 19 - 58(a ) - Lowbridge Bremhill. 58(a) shows
William Townsend - Head Ag.Llab - age 29 born Bremhill Sarah “
Wife 23 “ Lyneham
58(b) shows Elizabeth Townsend - widow
- age 66 (receiving Parish RLF) born ? Somerset
- Kilmeraton /Kilmerston
(LYNEHAM IS NOW SITE OF MAJOR RAF BASE)
William Townsend - Son
of William and Ann T. - christened - Derryhill 10.10.1859 - Morman Fiche 7262 refers. However birth
certificate of our grandfather William shows date of birth as 28.3.1858. Royal Navy papers show D. of
B. as 28.3.1857. Ann - his mother was the informant in order to register his birth and I think this
is the date likely to be correct. He may have put his day of birth back in order to enter the Royal
Navy. In June 1883 he was awarded the “Egypt” medal and bronze star. A general order of 1882 granted
a medal with appropriate bars. A bronze star was issued (awarded) by the Egyptian Khedive to all holders
of the Egypt medal. It might be worth approaching R..N. records to see just what can be uncovered.
What do you think, I could have a crack at it.
Sarah Townsend - Sister to our grandfathers.
I was unable to trace her baptism yet Derry Hill Baptism register 10.10.1859 gave me the feeling she
had been registered as a Brittain. There should of course at this date have been a state birth certificate.
I have a note of marriage - Calne Index 1813-37 William Townsend to Susannah Gale
- Date of marriage 21 Nov. 1825 could be from Bremhill area.
Calne marriage Index 1766 - 79
date not quoted - Jonas Townsend to Letitia Hunter or Harris.
I have an entry not as full as
it might be, as follows: Calne Baptist Index Townsend Ann - 1796 Townsend
George - 1796 Townsend James - 1798 Townsend William - 1800
The question is (apart from possible relationship!) Is this Calne Baptist church or the C. of E.
Baptismal register. Mormon records might well clarify.
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I have had a quick look at the ‘Bromley’ page on the web and was surprised to see our grandfather
William being referred to as Jonathan William Townsend. I have a 1927 copy of his birth certificate
and that shows him born 28 March 1858 born Studley, Calne. The birth was registered 1st May 1858 by
his Mother Ann and he was registered in the name of “William” - perhaps Jonathan was an adopted name.
His brother - my other grandfather was names “Jonathan George”.
Marriage certificate William
Townsend and Sarah Ann Holton. I am not happy with the print quality and have told the General Register
Office after its arrival today, they have agreed to accept its return for replacement.
Date
of marriage was 29 Nov. 1885 - William - 26 and Sarah - 21. Marriage took place at Christhurch, Nottinghill.
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The Café Period. I have been endeavoring to establish the period that this business was in fact
up and running. It is not easy! However not for the first time I think that it best will be a task
of elimination.
(1875-1885) (A) William Townsend 91582 R.N. commenced service of 10 years on
8th April 1875 and his service must have terminated at around 8th April 1885. Possibly plus.
(1985)
(B) He married Sarah Ann Holtom 29th November 1885 - age 26 - Sarah age 21.
(C) I suspect that
Matilda Ann (Aunty Tilly - 34 Mortimer Road) was one of the first children. She was born 8th Feb.
1888 and was born at 147 Southam Street. Father William Townsend being Shown on her birth certificate
as “Electric Light Engineer”. Southam Street was in the sub-district of Kensington Town for registration
purposes. *
(Feb. 1914) (D) Now - today I spent some time sorting quantity of old photographs
that mainly came from my parents home. In the pile I found a “Junior Membership pledge” for my Mother
countersigned by her Mother - undated but giving residence address of 197 Kensal Road, Westbourne Park.
Together with it I found (but not attached) a membership card for my Mother Mabel Townsend applicable
to Kensal Gospel Mission Hall, Kensal Road, W. This card was dated February 10th 1914. My Mother was
born 13th July, 1898 and would at this time have been 15 years old, and not the youngest of the family.
* Do we by chance have the birth dates for the William and Sarah family
Other than:-
George 24.8.1895 Matilda 8.2.1888 Mabel
13.7.1898 5 more somewhere along the line.
Can the “Bromley Group” offer any info. on
photostats of Birth, Marriage and Death of John. The birth. Certificate has for years given address
of birth and therefore changes of address from 14. Southam St. to 197 Kensal Road, Westbourne Park and
then to 95 Third Ave. Queens Park would give a good indication as to how long they ran the business.
I have just found date of birth and place of birth on Ada Emily Marsdens death certificate.
It is Emily 6th June, 1890, Kensington. (Is this Kensington Town).
Incidentally I am awaiting
a birth certificate for my Mother - Mabel, so that may reveal something. To you have a birth certificate
for your Dad. That could reveal some info.
John Morris. Since writing the above comments I
have been talking to John and he has promised to have a look in his attic to see what he can find. He
believes he has one or more certificates for his parents. I am waiting for him to come back. In conversation
he thought that they may have moved to 95 yet continuing to run the cafe at197 he seemed to think this
quite possible. It would be interesting o see the 1901 and 1911 Census for 197 and 95. It might reveal
a lot including family movement and an indication as to when ‘The Shop’ as I believe the café was called
was wound up - sold - closed - whatever!
Fred/Fred - World War I.
I am almost certain
that it was my Mother who told me the following story: My Father was I believe an acting Corporal at
the time and was supervising the passage of a no. of soldiers up the line to join the Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
At one point they had to cross a canal by pontoon. There was a corporal and some soldiers at this point
who were using soldiers on their way to the front line as pack carriers to move blankets and ammo. forward.
My father apparently told this gentleman what he could do with his blankets and ammo. As the Dubliners
didn’t even have blankets for themselves. In no time at all the altercation turned into a scrap and
the two of them were going at it hammer and tongs. Eventually my Father left the scene with his charges
without blankets or ammo.
Not long after my Father was due for some home leave in ‘Blighty’
and called at 95 to see his Aunt and Uncle and whoever else was in residence. He is said to have knocked
on the door which was shortly opened by a khaki clad gentleman who turned out to be the purveyor of blankets
and ammo from the Belgian canal of a few weeks before! They became cousins and firm friends, it was
of course my Mothers brother Fred - also on U.K. leave!
Sarah/Edith.
Whilst in the
story telling mode, when talking to John Morris recently he told me the following: His Grandmother (Sarah)
was expecting Lilly (His Mother) who I think turned out to be her last and eight child - where ever the
birth happened - in the next bed was Johns Edie on a similar condition and they both produced a child
on the same day! I am waiting to hear from John Morris whether he has found his Mothers birth certificate.
This should identify the place of birth. Few people were born in hospital in those days. Was it 197
or 95?
Also there is a Mrs. Slack of Macclesfield searching for Townsend in North Bradley.
But I doubt that this is worth following, he would have to be a fast walker!
I have very recently
received from the General Register office a copy of my Mothers birth certificate. Date of birth13th
July, 1898. Occupation of Father shown as ‘Electric Wireman’. Place of birth 240 Kensal Road, Resident
of informant (Mother) - 240 Kensal Road. The mystery deepens - we now have: 147 Southam Street
240 Kensal Road 197 Kensal Road 95 Third Avenue
It is of interest to note
- birth certificate of Matilda Ann was 8 Feb. 1888 - place of birth was 147 Southam Street. Marriage
certificate - Matilda and Alfred Glasspoole. Matilda’s place of residence on 29th June, 1912 was 95
Third Avenue, (Alfred’s abode was 24 Lena Gardens, Shepherds Bush). Marriage ceertificate - Jonathan
George Townsend (My Fathers Father) and Sarah Anne Page shows ‘John’ Townsend resided at 240 Kensal Road
(his brothers address) whilst his bride was resident at 3 Alderson Street, Kensal Rd.
I was
talking to John Morris last evening (28.6.2002) and he still thinks that two properties may at times
have been occupied at the same time. More birth certificates may help clarify the situation as you know
most UK certificates have the address of birth included. More to follow. Yours Des.
P.S.
Around 1984/5 I put together a brief history of Jonathan Townsends life story i.e. Brother of William.
Do you think it would be of interest, I can update it for you to have a shufti! Des.
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