"9. Isaac6 (Townshend) (Isaac,5 Jeremiah,4 Isaac,3 Samuel,2 Thomas1), born in Stratford, Conn. In the year 1781, when but 16 years of age, he joined a Connecticut regiment under the command of Col. Meigs, and served until the close of the war of the Revolution. He commenced business as a merchant in New Haven, 1788-89, and was largely interested in mercantile pursuits by land and sea, having branch houses in Charleston and Cheraw, S. C., and an Agency in New York and London, where his brother Kneeland Townsend for many years resided. Was interested in landed estate in Virginia, Vermont, Connecticut and Ohio. In the latter State he was joint owner with his brothers of the town of Townsend, Huron County. During the last war with England he was, with his son Isaac Henry (late professor of law in Yale College), taken prisoner by one of the enemy's armed vessels cruising in Long Island Sound, while on the passage to New Haven from New York on board the packet sloop 'Susan,' Oct. 9, 1814. They were taken to Plum Island and detained on board H. B. Majesty's ship 'Pomone,' Captain Carteret, until ransomed. Mr. Townsend retired from active business soon after the war on an ample fortune, and his business was successfully carried on by his sons. …"
