William Hotham Robinson Townsend (6B18)
| Date of Birth: | bap 8 Feb 1816 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death: | dunm 14 Mar 1910 |
| Generation: | 6th |
| Residence: | Charlotte Quay, Cork |
| Father: | Reverend Thomas Townsend [6B03] |
| Mother: | Jeynes, Caroline |
| Spouse: | Unmarried |
| Issue: | None |
| See Also: | Table VIB ; Scrapbook ; Lineage ; Ancestors' Tree ; Descendents' Tree |
Notes for William Hotham Robinson Townsend
William was baptized at Clonmel.
Alumni Trinity College Dublin from Co Cork and Kerry 1593-1860 in Dr Casey's Collection records that William was taught by Mr Huston before he entered Trinity College, Dublin, on 4 July 1831 aged 15 as a pensioner who paid a fixed sum annually for his studies. Mr Huston also tutored William's brother, Samuel Townsend [6B17], before he entered the University at the same time as William. The TCD Graduation List records that he qualified BA in Spring 1839. His brother, Samuel Townsend [6B13], Horace Townsend [5B00], Horace Payne Townshend [5D12] and Aubrey de Vere Townsend [621] were undergraduates at Trinity at the same time.
Following his degree William practiced as a solicitor for 52 years. Page 297 of Aldwell's General Directory 1844-45 records a ‘Samuel P Townsend’ and a ‘William H Townsend’ as solicitors both of 9, South Mall. Living at the same address with matching initials, suggests that this is William and his uncle Samuel Philip Townsend [6A03].
An entry on page 234 of Slater's Directory (Cork City & County) 1856 records - "Townsend William H. attorney, 15 Morrison's quay."
Robert H Laing’s Cork Mercantile Directory 1863 records on page 176 “WH Townsend, 12 Charlotte Quay’ was an agent for ‘Scottish Union Fire and Life’.
Page 10 of Accounts and Papers of the House of Commons, Volume 56, dated 8 June 1866, records that William paid £340 as "agent for expenses for Nicholas Philpot Leader Esq" who stood as a candidate in the parliamentary election of 1865.
Fulton’s Directory 1871 shows a ‘Townsend William H., attorney and solicitor, 12 Charlotte quay’. This is undoubtedly William for page 695 of Francis Guy’s County & City of Cork Directory 1875-76 records ‘Townsend William Hotham, solicitor, etc.12 Charlotte quay ; res. 6 Woodhill ter.’ The same Directory also shows William as “Consul US America”. He was appointed Consul on 9 January 1871 - London Gazette 23695 page 71 dated 10 January 1871.
Francis Guy's City Directory for 1884 continues to show William practicing at 12, Charlotte Quay and resident at 6, Woodhill Terrace which had a rental value of £34 per annum.
William would appear to have retired by 1891, when he would have been 75, as Francis Guy’s Directory for that year only records him living at 6, Woodhill Terrace; there is no record of his practice at 12, Charlotte Quay.
The April 1901 Irish Census records William, an 85 year old solicitor, living at house 6 in Woodhill Terrace, Cork.
Page 597 of Francis Guy's Directory for 1907 shows William still living at the same address.
The List of Shareholders in the Grand Trunk Railway of Canada published in London in October 1875 records William living at ‘Woodhill Terrace, Cork’. His cousin Horace Hamilton Townsend [6B05] was an investor in the same company.
The 'Register of Landowners in County Cork 1876' records "Townsend, William H. Charlotte Quay. 1,001 acres. £541 10s" (2005 equivalent - £35,305).
‘Slater’s Royal National Directory of Ireland, 1894’ records under the heading ‘Cork Street Directory – South mall, Parnell Bridge to Grand parade. East Side’ - “13 Townsend Wm. H. land agt” and under the heading ‘Cork Trades Directory – Agents, House, Land & Estate’ - “Townsend William H. 13 South mall.” Is this William?
William died in Galway.
William is not shown in 'An Officer of the Long Parliament' but is shown in Burke’s Irish Family Records and in the pedigree drawn up by John FitzHenry Townshend [250], where he is shown as a solicitor.
Page 647 of the Calendar of Wills and Administration 1858-1922 in the National Archives of Ireland records that the will of "Isabella Townsend formerly of Clifton Terrace Aghada and late of Summer Cove Kinsale", who died on 11 January 1872, was proved at Cork on 14 February 1872, by "the oath of William Hotham Townsend of Charlotte Quay, Cork Solicitor one of the Executors". Effects under £200. Isabella, wife of Reverend William Robinson Townsend [6B02], was William's aunt by marriage.
Page 609 of The Calendar of Wills and Administration 1858-1922 in the National Archives of Ireland records that Probate of the will of "William Hotham Townsend formerly of Woodhill Terrace Cork and late of Queen’s College Galway Esquire”, who died on 14 March 1910 at Queen’s College, was granted at Dublin on 28 February 1911 to "Edward Townsend Esquire." Effects £3,743 19s 9d. Edward Townsend [6B20] was William’s brother and was Professor of Civil Engineering at Queen’s College.