Family:Unknown Townsend and Unknown (2)

 
b. Bef 1587 prob. England
d. 1660
 
Facts and Events
Marriage? Bef 1608 Norwich, Norfolk, Englandprobably
Children
BirthDeath
1.
2.
1626 England
3.
4.
 
 

Caution, there is much mis-information and conflicting dates from several (published and unpublished) sources on the early Townsend family of the three brothers (John, Richard and Henry Townsend). According to several researchers, much information in Cutter's account of this family has been disproven and contains several flaws. He cites the parents of the three Townsend brothers as a Thomas Townsend of Lynn, but that appears to be in error. Additional research is needed to resolve. It is recommended that before significant changes are made to this family that discussion on the "talk page" would be encouraged.


From "A Memorial to John, Richard and Henry Townsend and their Descendants", pg. 80-83:

These brothers (John, Richard and Henry Townsend) came from Norwich, County or Norfolk, England. The time of their emigration cannot be precisely fixed. It was, however, several years before 1645, as in that year Governor Kieft gave a patent for the town of Flushing to John Townsend and others; and a petition of his widow to Governor Andros, we learn that he had previously taken up land near New York, and "peaceably enjoyed the same divers years", but alarms from the Indians, and other difiiculties which she does not specify, induced him to leave his improvements, and commence the settlement of Flushing, where he was joined by Henry.

The Townsends were Friends, and were soon at variance with the Dutch authorities : the differences between them, however, seem to have had their origin quite as much in politics as religion ; for John Townsend is named by Governor Stuyvesant among the principal persons of Flushing "who resist when summoned. Henry was brought before the Council, January 15th, 1658, and condemned to pay £100 Flanders, and to remain arrested until it be paid. We are not told how this was settled ; but he was in Oyster Bay during this year, as his signature as witness to an Indian deed proves. In January, 1661, two of the magistrates furnished the names of twelve persons, including John and Henry Townsend and their wives, " who countenanced the Quakers." Henry was again imprisoned, but there is no indication that John was molested.

This account of the Townsends, before they came to Oyster Bay, is taken entirely from Thompson's History of Long Island. He probably received it from Dr. Peter Townsend, whose Note-Book shows conclusively the reason why Henry was so much more involved in these difficulties than John, who was also a Friend, attended "conventicles," and "countenanced Quakers,"but Henry went from door to door, urging people to attend their meetings, which gave great umbrage, especially as regarded young people and children.

From the date of the Mill grant, September 16, 1661, the history of the brothers and their descendants has been taken from the Town Records, and from family papers, and for that we are responsible. Where we have only inferences and conjectures to give, we offer them as such.