Thomas Crofton Croker (CC) Townsend (5B15)
| Date of Birth: | 21 Jan 1870 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death: | 5 Nov 1942 |
| Generation: | 7th |
| Residence: | Rhodesia |
| Father: | William Uniacke Townsend [5B01] |
| Mother: | Coote, Mary Anne Harriet |
| Spouse: |
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| Issue: | |
| See Also: | Table VB ; Scrapbook ; Lineage ; Ancestors' Tree ; Descendents' Tree |
Notes for Thomas Crofton Croker Townsend
Thomas was born in Carrigaline, Cork; h was always known as CC.
Ethel Stanhowe Obre (1) was the second daughter of Edward Stanley Obre (2) of Clantilew (Clontylew), Loughgall, Co Armagh. See 1904 Edn Burke's Irish Family Records - Obre.
Thomas was educated at Cheltenham College. He emigrated to Rhodesia from Ireland in 1899 to take up an appointment as of Secretary to the Salisbury Club. Soon after he established Lowdale farm on virgin land near Mazowe and this proved to be very successful. The farm has remained in the family since then with his son, Ralph Townsend [5B34], his grandson, Michael Townsend [5B37], and his great grandson Brian Townsend [5B41] running it, despite in recent years considerable upheaval and turmoil (3).
Thomas returned to Dublin for the birth of his daughter Eleanor Townsend [5B35] in 1913 and during his absence the farm was run by Arthur Harris - later to become famous as Marshal of the Royal Air Force "Bomber" Harris.
Both Thomas and his wife are buried in Belstone Church (4), near Okehampton, Devon. The daughter, Eleanor, spent most of her childhood in Belstone with her maternal aunt, Mary Latham, and lived in the village after her divorce. She is also buried in the churchyard.
Thomas was aware of the fact that his cousins Frederick William Townsend [5C16] and Edward Arthur Townsend [5C18] where farming at Rutherdale, Shamva Mashonaland, but there was little contact between the two families.
Thomas's grandson Andrew Colin Crofton Townsend [5B38] noted in the visitor's book at Castletownshend that Thomas was born in 1878 (as does 'An Officer of the Long Parliament'). He also shows Ethel Stanhowe Obre as from Dublin.
Thomas was executor of his mother's will. Page 697 of The Calendar of Wills and Administration 1858-1922 in the National Archives of Ireland records that Probate of the will of "Mary Anne Harriet Townsend formerly of Bray County Wicklow and late of Newbridge Hill Bath Widow”, who died on 15 February 1915, was granted at Dublin 3 August 1915 to "Thomas C Townsend Esquire". Effects £2,320 7s 9d.
(1) Ethel died on 21 June 1942.
(2) ‘Slater’s Royal National Directory of Ireland, 1894’ records under the heading ‘Tartaraghan co. Armagh - Private Residents’ - “Obre Edward Stanley, Clontylew” and under the heading ‘Ulster Directory of Private Residents ‘ - “Obre Edward Stanley, Clontylew, Tartaraghan, Armagh.”
(3) Several websites refer to incidents at Lowdale. The 'Journal of the Tree Society of Zimbabwe' dated December 2006 contains a report of a visit to Lowdale Farm owned by Brian Townsend.
(4) See also