Francis Townsend (125)
| Date of Birth: | ante 1710 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death: | 2 May 1774 |
| Generation: | 4th |
| Residence: | Clogeen, Bandon, Co Cork |
| Father: | Richard Townsend [116] |
| Mother: | Minchin, Elizabeth |
| Spouse: |
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| Issue: | |
| See Also: | Table I ; Scrapbook ; Lineage ; Ancestors' Tree ; Descendents' Tree |
Notes for Francis Townsend
Page 127 of Gillman's 'Index to the Marriage Licence Bonds of the Diocese of Cork and Ross' records a Marriage Bond dated 23 December 1743. Martha Roche was a daughter of John Roche from West Carberry whose sister, Frances, married Butler Townsend [126].
In 1896 Dorothea Townshend, the wife of Richard Baxter Townshend [5D15], wrote six articles entitled ‘Notes on the Council Book of Clonakilty’ for inclusion in the ‘Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society’ that year. (1) Thirteen members of the family were elected to serve on the council between 1686, when Colonel Richard Towensend [100] was elected Sovereign (Portreeve) and 1802 when the Rev Horatio Townsend [5D00] was the last Sovereign; of these, seven served as Sovereign. The Council met on average about four times each year with St James’ Day on 25 July and St Luke’s Day on 28 October as regular fixtures. There is a gap in the records between February 1730 and 1802 though it is recorded that Philip Townsend [500] was Sovereign in 1764 and 1765.
Francis was elected a Freeman of the borough on 16 October 1728 (2) at the same time as his brother the Rev Butler Townsend [126] but there is no further reference to them in the Council Book. His cousins Cornelius Townsend [128] & Horatio Townsend [130] and uncles John FitzCornelius Townsend [122], Richard Townsend [201], Samuel Townsend [400] & Philip Townsend [500] were all freemen of the Borough. His uncle John Townsend [300] was Sovereign at the time of his election.
‘Gleanings from Old Cork Newspapers’ in the Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society, 1964, Vol. 69, No. 209, page 58 contains the following item from ‘The Corke Journal’ of 15 April 1756 - “ The lands of Glandarta, 600 acres in the parish of Caheragh, lands in Sherkin including the two Slieves More, Clodagh, Kilmona and Harbour’s Mouth part of estate of John Townsend Beeche) to be set to the highest bidder from May 1st. Proposals to owner at his house Anngrove near Midleton, or Francis Townsend his agent at Castletownsend. ”
Francis was the sole beneficiary of the will of his great uncle Kingston Townsend [105].
The seventh edition of “The History of the General Rebellion in Ireland: Raised upon the Three (sic) and Twenty day of October 1641” published by Phineas and George Bagnell, Castle Street Cork in 1766 records “Francis Townsend Esq” and ten other members of the family in the list of subscribers: Cornelius Townsend [139], John Townsend [214] or John Townsend [303], Richard Townsend [213] or Richard Townsend [219], Rev Richard Townsend [301], Philip Townsend [500], Dr Richard Townsend [501], Thomas Hungerford Townsend [502], Rev Horatio Townsend [5D00], Rev Horatio Townsend [600], Rev Edward Synge Townsend [601].
The Castlehaven Vestry Book, shown in the Castlehaven & Myross History website,records that Francis was a churchwarden 1754 - 1756.
Several entries in the Church of Ireland Parish Records of Ross Cathedral 1690–1823 refer to Francis.
P.26 Burials "1760 February 21 Francis Townsend son of Francis Townsend of Clogeen." (This son of Francis is not shown in any other records.)
P.27 Baptisms "28 May 1748 Ellen a daughter to Mr. Alexander Donovan. Mr Jonas Morris ([308]?), Mr Will Donovan, Mrs Francis Townsend and Ben Austen sponsors."
P.28 Christenings "1748 September 16th John son of ye Rev John Beamish. Sir John Freke, Mr Francis Townsend and Mary Morris ([308]?) sponsors."
P.39 Burials "1774 May 2nd Mr Francis Townsend of Clogheen."
P.47 Burials "1794 December 18th Mrs Townsend widow of the late Francis Townsend of Clougheen, Esq."
7th April 1735 Churchwarden.
* 23rd April 1739 Sidesman.
(1) They can be read in the Journal at pages 79-84, 129-135, 172-177, 22-224, 270-273 and 320-322. Dorothea’s interpretation of the election of individuals differs from that in these records, particularly in references to “John Townsend”. Since 1896 evidence has come to light that makes identification of him more plausible and this is explained in the records for John FitzCornelius Townsend [122] and John Townsend [300].
(2) The entry in the Council Book "At the court of record held for the said borough the 16th day of October 1728 by John Townesend Esq Sovereign and Richard Hungerford deputy recorder the under-named persons were admitted and sworn freemen of the corporation. Signed:- John Townesend Sovereign, Richard Hungerford Dep. Rec. Thomas Cole, Edward Blake, Thomas Blake, Garett Hearn, Richard Troume, David Troume, Joseph Burchell, Samuel Burchell, William Byre, Thos Curtin, Edwd Barrett, John Grady, John Coursey, Lawrence Salter, Richd Nash, John Dinneen, Mr. Francis Townesend, Mr. Butler Townesend."
(3) John Townsend Becher is the second son of Mary Townsend [121] and John Becher; he was born in 1729 and died at Dunmanway in November 1760. His biographical details can be seen in the record for Mary Townsend [121].
'An Officer of the Long Parliament' Ch VIII p. 202 refers.