Reverend Richard Townsend (301)
| Date of Birth: | 1725 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death: | dsp 17 May 1793 |
| Generation: | 4th |
| Residence: | Schull, Co Cork |
| Father: | John Townsend [300] |
| Mother: | Barry, Katherine |
| Spouse: |
|
| Issue: | None |
| See Also: | Table III ; Scrapbook ; Lineage ; Ancestors' Tree ; Descendents' Tree |
Notes for Reverend Richard Townsend JP
Married 1762. Susannah was the widow of Mr T Wheatley of Bristol and daughter of Colonel Alexander Gay.
Alumni Trinity College Dublin from Co Cork and Kerry 1593-1860 in Dr Casey's Collection records that Richard was taught by Mr Spiller before he entered Trinity College, Dublin, on 14 May 1742 aged 17 as a pensioner who paid a fixed sum annually for his studies. 1715 aged 18 as a pensioner who paid a fixed sum annually for his studies. Mr Spiller also tutored Richard's cousin, Edward Townsend [401], before he entered the University in 1745. The TCD Graduation List shows that he qualified BA in Summer 1746 and MA in Summer 1749.
Ordained Priest on 29 April 1753 at Cork, Richard was appointed Curate of Donoughmore in 1752 and of Dromdaleague in 1753. From 1759 to 1780 he was Rector Myross and from 1780 to 1793 Rector at Schull. He was Vicar of Kilmacabea, Kilfaughnabeg and Rathbarry from 1764 to 1793 and from 1768 to 1780 Priest at Currograngemore. See page 246 of Brady's Parochial and Clerical Records Volume 1 for a summary of Richard's ministry.
Richard was elected a Freeman of Youghal on 28 July 1760 along with his kinsmen Richard Townsend [213], John Townsend [214], Edward Townsend [401] and Philip Townsend [500] He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1766.
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 shows “Rev Richard Townsend A.M.” as a subscriber. Ten other members of the family are shown in the list of subscribers; Francis Townsend [125], Cornelius Townsend [139], John Townsend [214] or [303], Richard Townsend [213] or [219] or [6A00], 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 'Cork Gazette' of 22 May 1793 reports "Died last week, Rev Mr Townsend, Rector of Schull". Richard's will was proved in Cork in 1793 (1)
(1) 'Cork and Ross Wills 1548-1800'.
'An Officer of the Long Parliament' Ch IX p. 216 and 'Pooles of Mayfield' p. 70 refer.