Excerpts from "The Beginning of Estill County 1808-1869, Court Records" compiled by Puckett and Rogers:
Page 110
Book O, Page 546, Frank Fitch of Montgomery County 1871 sells to Cottage Furnace 9000 acres known as the James Townsend tract.
Book O, Page 40, 3 Aug. 1875, F. H. Dudley of Winchester assence of Cottage Furnace bankrupt to John H. Goff of Clark County and Harrison Moore of Estill County 1/4 track known as Townsend tract.
Page 184-185, Bundle 4
Oct. 1819, Comm. VS Joseph Swope, bond of Sope was Abner Wiseman his security, Joseph Swope to keep peace before Andrew Wasson. Bond on 15 June 1818, on
Nov. 1819, Swope assaulted James Townsend. Commonwealth wittness Thomas Hambrick, James Townsend, Alexander Johnson and Aaron Sharp. Wants executes bond. Jury finds for deff.
Page 222-223
"Oct. 1820, Joseph Swope VS James Townsend, assault and battery, find for Swope, to recover $20 and cost of injury to him."
"Swope boasted that he was the best living man on the ground. Townsend told him that he used himself well, and wanted him to use himself well and his house. Swope continued to boast. After arguing, Townsend said to Joseph Swope he did not want anyone to boast in his yard. Townsend went got his gun and loaded it, leaned it against the wall, did not appear if he wanted to shoot anyone. Swope came and they began to fight, Townsend was on Swope striking him and gouging him. Same from George Johnson's deposition."
