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| page 6-1 |
| DESMOND TOWNSEND FAMILY MEMOIRS |
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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. |