Richard Townsend (335)

Date of Birth: 1809
Date of Death: Sep 1847
Generation: 7th
Residence: Dunmanway & Stratford, Canada
Father: Reverend John Townsend [318]
Mother: Warren, Alicia
Spouse:
  1. Wilkinson, Maria Susannah
Issue:
  1. Maria [3B01]
  2. John [3B02]
  3. Alicia [3B03]
  4. Richard [3B04]
  5. Henry Edward [3B05]
  6. Eliza [3B06]
  7. Margaret [3B07]
  8. Eliza [3B08]
  9. Thomas [3B09]
See Also: Table III ; Scrapbook ; Lineage ; Ancestors' Tree ; Descendents' Tree

Notes for Richard Townsend

Married 27 May 1830 in the Parish Church of St Peter, Dublin. Maria was the daughter of William Wilkinson of Ardea, Dunmanway, Co Cork. At the time of their marriage Richard was living in Richmond Street and Maria was living in Camden Street, both being in the Parish of St Peter. A transcript of the marriage certificate is given in Richard's 'Scrapbook'.

Alumni Trinity College Dublin from Co Cork and Kerry 1593-1860 in Dr Casey's Collection records that Richard was taught by Mr Stewart before he entered Trinity College, Dublin, on 3 July 1826 aged 17 as a fellow commoner paying double fees and enjoying several privileges.

The entry for Fanlobus in 'Lewis' Topographical Dictionary 1837' shows "R. Townsend Esq” living at Laurel Mount, Dunmanway, Co Cork. This is most likely to be Richard as his uncle Thomas Townsend [318] was baptized at Fanlobbus, Dunmanway and The Cork Examiner in reporting his death shows him as coming originally from Dunmanway. Page 136 of the County and City of Cork Post Office General Directory 1842-43 shows Richard living at “Ballyluah, Dunmanway”. Aldwell's General Directory 1844-45 supports this and in the entry for Dunmanway on page 292 records "Townsend, Richard, Ballynah" followed by an entry that most likely refers to Maria's father - "Wilkinson, William. Ardea."

Richard & Maria Townsend emigrated to Canada in the summer of 1847 during the famine. They had arranged to rent land at Lot 37, Concession 5, South East Hope Township, near Stratford, Ontario. Sadly, they died from typhoid fever shortly after landing in Canada. The Cork Examiner of 24 September 1847 reports both their deaths in Stratford, Canada and records them as coming originally from Dunmanway, Co Cork.

All Richard and Maria's surviving children were put in the care of guardians appointed by the local authorities in Ontario and it is through them that strong representation of the family in Canada derives.

Edward Mansel Townsend [630], in his unpublished autobiography (1), writes that Richard and Maria were exceedingly poor and his father, John Townsend [622], helped raise funds for them to emigrate.

Richard & Maria were buried in unmarked graves at St. James Anglican Church Cemetery at Stratford.

Page 639 of the Calendar of Wills and Administration 1858-1922 in the National Archives of Ireland records that Letters of Administration on the personal estate of "Richard Townsend formerly of Dunmanway but afterwards of Stratford Canada Esquire a Widower deceased", who died in 1847, were granted at the Principal Registry on 19 May 1873 to "John Emanuel Hughes of 13 Suffolk Street Dublin Solicitor the Attorney of the children of said deceased". Effects under £100.

Other ‘Townsend’ Canadian émigrés - Denotes with descendants.

John Townsend [338](?), Frederick Charles Somerville Townsend [362], John Sealy Ernest Somerville Townsend [364] All Table IIIB entries, Desmond Walter Townsend [5B49], Herbert Oliver Townsend [5D37], David William Townsend [5D55], Neville Frederick Townsend [6C11].

(1) 'A Protestant Auto-Biography by the Rev E Mansel Townshend'