Person:John Townsend (46)

Commonly known as "Jericho John" to distinguish him from other John Townsends in the area, particularly "Mill John" Townsend who was the son of Henry Townsend. Before Lusum changed its name to Jericho in 1692, he was also referred to in Oyster Bay Town Records as John Townsend Sen'r, of Lusum, of ye ffarmes, and similar appellations.

Source:Oyster Bay town records, 1653-1878 has several records from the division of his father's estate that identify John, along with brother Thomas, as one of the eldest sons of John and Elizabeth Townsend, for example, p. 63. The cited document identifies his younger siblings as "James, Rose, Ann, Sarah, George and Daniel". Also, on p. 373, a deed dated 30 May 1678 where "John Townsend of Lusum" sells to "my Brother James of Oysterbay".

Townsend Memorial, p. 76, has a Codicil by "Richard Harcurt" dated 2 May 1696 that mentions "Hannah Townsend, the daughter of my daughter Susannah, deceased". Also, "said daughter Susannah's son James, and to her other son and two daughters". Family History Southern NY, p. 1115, says that "records show that in 1698 his wife's name was Phoebe, whereas he had previously married Susannah, daughter of Richard Harcourt". Townsend Memorial, p. 93, agrees, "In 1698 the name of his wife was Phebe, but there is reason to believe that his first wife, the mother of his children, was Susannah, daughter of Richard Harcurt, or, properly, Harcourt."

1. ↑ World Family Tree, Cd.
2.   Townsend, James C; Charlotte Aurelia Winder Townsend; and Harry Macy. A memorial of John, Henry, and Richard Townsend and their descendants. (s.n.], 1976).