Richard Townsend

from THE HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY PA, by Futhey and Cope and THE WELCOME CLAIMANTS, PROVED, DISPROVED AND DOUBTFUL, by McCracken The first of the Chester County Townsends seems to be Richard, who is said to have been the son of Richard Townsend, who lived in or near Cirencester, Glous. England, and was born 9-30-1645. He became a Friend in 1672, went to London in 1676, and married Ann Hutchnins 3-25-1677. Coming to Pa in the "Welcome", he settled at Chester for a time, but afterwards moved to Philadelphia Co. He died at his nephew Joseph Townsend's in East Bradford, 1-28-1732. Richard's will;...in Philadelphia probate; TOWNSEND, RICHARD. City of Philadelphia. Millwright.January 11, 1727/8. April 14, 1733. E.232.Wife and Exec: Ann Townsend. Children: James, Joseph, Hannah, Mary, Sarah. Witnesses: John Warder, Chas. Brockden, Sarah Dillwyn. from; THE WELCOME CLAIMANTS PROVED, DISPROVED AND DOUBTFUL, by the Welcome Society (McCracken) Richard Townsend is a well documented. passenger on The Welcome.... Richard, Ann his wife, Hannah his daughter and James his son are proven passengers, but the claim that William his brother was along for the trip has been disproved, as has a totally mythical daughter, Ann. (Wm was actually buried at Bucklebury, England in 1692. The Townsends arrived in Philadelphia, together with the 3 servants, Wm Smith, Martha Harrison and Bartholomew Breen, who were to serve for 7 years. Richard is called "carpenter, servant to ye Society for 5 years, to have 50lb ann." Richard declared his 1st intention 20-2m-1677, 2nd int 18 3m, 1677 at Newberry Meeting, and married at Buckleberry, Berkshire 25 3m, 1677, Ann Hutchins, dau of Richard Hutchins of Newberry. Richard was a First Purchaser of 25o acres, recorded 31 8m 1701 it was recorded that contributions were taken because he had 'lost a great part pf what he had. owned because iof a great flood." He then ented a house and in 1719, was one of the 46 persons to sign the memorial to Wm Penn. He and wife Anne were received at Phil. m 31 5th m 1713 on certificate from Abington meeting. He was buried 30 1st m1731/2 and his wife, 15 1, 1732/3

This page updated on December 28, 2010