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Facts and Events
William Townsend was a baker and husbandman, who settled in Boston as a servant to Nicholas Willys.1 He was admitted into the first church of Boston, August 3, 16341 and was a Freeman May 25, 1636.citation needed He sold land in 1651.citation needed At a deposition Sept 17, 1668, his age was 67.1
William Townsend died in Boston 17 Sept 1668citation needed and the administration of his estate was granted to his widow Hannah Townsend 29 Oct 16691. However, Hannah died at age 92, 17 Jan 1700, before she could complete the trust and administration was later granted to her son, Col. Penn Townsend 6 Feb 1699.1 According to Elder James Penn's statements on oath 29 Oct 1669, the Townsend property was to be enjoyed by the widow during her lifetime and then equally divided among the children, which was done.1
Of the 9 children of William and Hannah Townsend, only 4 lived to marry.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM TOWNSEND, OF BOSTON. COMPILED BY HENRY F. WATERS., in Essex Institute Historical Collections. (Salem, Massachusetts: Essex Institute Press)
Vol 19, p 269, 1882.
[Note: Henry F. Waters re-published this article one year later (1883) as Section 1 of his book "Notes on the Townsend Family"]
William Townsend, who is styled Baker, Husbandman and Planter, was admitted into the first church of Boston, 3 Aug., 1634, being then called servant to Nicholas Willys. His wife, Hannah Penn, sister of Mr. James Penn, marshal general of the Colony of Mass. Bay, and Ruling Elder of the church in Boston, was called James Everill's maid servant when admitted to the church in 1635.
In a deposition made by Mr. Townsend, 17-7-1668, he called himself about sixty-seven years of age, making the date of his birth about 1601. The exact date of his death has not been learned, but the inventory of his estate was taken 27-7mo-1669, and administration was granted to his widow Hannah Townsend 29 Oct., 1669. She dying before completing her trust, administration de bonis non was granted, 6 Feb., 1699, to his son Col. Penn Townsend, Esq.
From the recently published Diary of Judge Samuel Sewall we learn that the widow Townsend kept a school after her husband's death. "April 27, 1691. This afternoon had Joseph to school to Capt. Townsend's mother's, his cousin Jane accompanying him carried his Horn-book." From the same Journal we get the following entry. "Jan. 17, 1699-1700, about 5 P.M. Dame Hanah Townsend dies in the 93d year of her Age. Cook, Hutchinson, Sewall, Addington, Chiever, Maryon pater Bearers Jan. 19, 1699-1700."
William Townsend's "possession within the limits of Boston" consisted of "one house and garden bounded with Edmund Jacklin North, Jane Parker1 South, the Street East and Daniell Maud West." (Book of Possessions, p. 79.) This was evidently the second lot on the left side of Washington street as you go from Blott's lane (Winter street) towards School street.
According to the oath of Elder James Penn before the County Court 29 Oct., 1669, the real estate was to be enjoyed by the widow during her lifetime and then to be divided equally among the children. ...
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