Philip Townsend (304)
| Date of Birth: | Unknown |
|---|---|
| Date of Death: | Unknown |
| Generation: | 4th |
| Residence: | Thornhill or Bridgetown (Coronea), Skibbereen, Co Cork |
| Father: | John Townsend [300] |
| Mother: | Barry, Katherine |
| Spouse: |
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| Issue: | |
| See Also: | Table III ; Scrapbook ; Lineage ; Ancestors' Tree ; Descendents' Tree |
Notes for Philip Townsend
Mary Delap came from Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.
Very little is known about Philip. The first reference to him is “Philip Townsend of Bridgetown Esq” (1) shown as a subscriber to the book ‘The State of The Protestants of Ireland under the late King James’s Government' by William King, Lord Archbishop of Dublin and published by Phineas Bagnell, Cork, in 1768. “In which their carriage towards him is justified, and the absolute necessity of their endeavouring to be freed from his government, and submitting to their present Majesties is demonstrated.” Other members of the family who subscribed to this book include Richard Townsend [213], John Townsend [214] or [303], Edward Mansel Townsend [401], Captain Thomas Townsend [502], Rev Horatio Townsend [600] Rev Edward Synge Townsend [601] and Richard Townsend [6A00].
The next reference is to be found in the University of Galway entry for Thornhill in the Landed Estates Database "Wilson, writing in 1786, refers to Thornhill as the seat of Mr. Townsend. Two properties are shown in the townland of Derreendangan on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map of the 1830s. One, Thornhill House, is described as "in ruins" while the other property, Thornhill Cottage, is located nearby. The townland was part of the estate of Thomas Uniacke at the time of Griffith's Valuation. The 25-inch map of the 1890s indicates Thornhill House again in use and there is a still a substantial farm at this site. Thornhill Cottage is no longer extant." The entry also shows that Thornhill is part of the Scartagh Estate.
The third reference to Philip is found in the 'The Post Chaise Companion or Traveller's Directory through Ireland' 3rd Edition 1804 page 351 records "Within a mile and a half from Skibbereen, on the R. is Hollybrook, the seat of Mr John Becher, Esq and about a mile further to the R. is Thornhill, the seat of Mr Townsend". John Becher married Philip's sister Barbara [306] and it is reasonable to assume that Philip lived at Thornhill.
Page 279 of The Gentleman's and London Magazine 1741-1794 contains an extract of an express letter dated 9 May 1781 from Richard Wright Esq, Collector of Skibbereen.
"Sir, This instant I received a letter by express from Philip Townsend, Tide Surveyor, Berehaven with the following account: HMS Vengeance of 74 guns, Commodore Hotham, Captain Holloway commander, from St Eustatia (St Lucia?), with Prince Edward of 60 guns, with the Mars and Alemene frigates sailed from thence the 19 March last with 33 prize ships; that a few days ago they fell in with eight sail of French line of battle ships which made them disperse; that the above ships and seven of the prize vessels only kept together, now standing in for this harbour. They are of opinion the rest of the convoy will fall into the hands of the enemy.
“Also arrived the Spitfire, privateer of London, Captain Hewson, from a cruise, four days ago saw forty sail of French men of war and frigates between Ushant and Scilly; that he in concert with the Comet, was chased by two French frigates of the said fleet and after a short engagement the Comet taken and the Spitfire after receiving a shot between wind and water, made her escape by fast sailing. She reports she saw one Dutch prize belonging to Commodore Hotham’s fleet taken by French frigates.”
There is no corroborative evidence to show that Philip was the Tide Surveyor at Berehaven, but of all those in the family this Philip best fits the age profile.
An entry in the Church of Ireland Parish Records Ross Cathedral 1690–1823 records on page 53 under the heading 'Burials' - "1807 August 1st Mary Townsend of Benduff." This might refer to Philip's wife, Mary
'Pooles of Mayfield' p. 70 refers.
(1) Bridgetown is something of a mystery. Page 139 of 'An Officer of the Long Parliament' includes a heading "Extracts from Patent for Skibbereen Manor, alias Coronea, alias Bridgetown Granted to Colonel Richard Townesend" and on the next page ..."ye manor of Bridgetown alias Coronea". Page 217 of the book describes Coronea as "a nice house near Skibbereen" and the University of Galway Landed Estates Database records Coronea "in the 1770s it was the seat of a Townsend family."