Reverend Thomas Townsend (6B19)
| Date of Birth: | 29 Nov 1828 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death: | post 1911 |
| Generation: | 6th |
| Residence: | Aghada, Co Cork |
| Father: | Reverend Thomas Townsend [6B03] |
| Mother: | Jeynes, Caroline |
| Spouse: |
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| Issue: | |
| See Also: | Table VIB ; Scrapbook ; Lineage ; Ancestors' Tree ; Descendents' Tree |
Reverend Thomas Townsend
Thomas was born at Mayo Glebe, Ballyglass, Co. Mayo.
Married 4 March 1862 at St Anne's, Shandon, Cork. Alicia Bunbury (1) was the fourth daughter of Richard Thomas Bunbury of Woodhill Terrace, Cork, and Leggagower, Co Down.
Alumni Trinity College Dublin from Co Cork and Kerry 1593-1860 in Dr Casey's Collection records that Thomas was taught by Dr Browne, at the Devonshire Endowed School, Bandon, before he entered Trinity College, Dublin, on 5 June 1848 aged 19 as a pensioner who paid a fixed sum annually for his studies. His brother Edward Townsend [6B20] was also taught by Dr Browne and entered the University at the same time aged 17.
The TCD Graduation List records that Thomas qualified BA in Summer 1853 and MA in Summer 1860. His brother Edward Townsend [6B20] and Edward Richard Townsend [6C04] were undergraduates at Trinity at the same time, whilst Rev Richard Townsend [337] was teaching at the university. Whilst reading for his MA Horace Webb Townsend [634], Richard Horatio Townsend [6A10], Samuel Philip Townsend [6A11] and Henry FitzJohn Townsend [260] were studying for their degrees.
Ordained Deacon in 1855 and Priest on 21 December 1856, both at Cork and following his curacy at Durrus and Kilcrohane, Cork, 1855-56, Thomas went to England, where he was Curate of St Michael's, Manchester, 1856-57 and of St Paul's, Stalybridge, 1857-62. On his return to Ireland he was appointed Priest and Curate of Templemartin, 5 miles north of Bandon, Co Cork and became Rector of Aghada, near Cloyne succeeding his uncle William Robinson Townsend [6B02] in 1866. Thomas' biographical details can be seen in Reverend John Harding Cole's [his biographical details can be seen on page 149 in Reverend John Harding Cole's Church and Parish Records of the United Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, covering the period 1863 to 1903 and published in 1903. See also page 258 of Brady's Parochial and Clerical Records Volume 3.
Pages 308 and 321 of Francis Guy’s County & City of Cork Directory 1875-76 record “Townsend Rev Thomas H” as rector Aghada; in addition he is shown in the Alphabetical List of Residents on pages 446/447. Thomas is also shown as the incumbent Aghada in Francis Guy's City & County Cork Almanac and Directory for 1884, 1891 and 1907.
There are several references to 'Rev Thomas Townsend' in 'Griffiths Valuation of Ireland 1848-1864' and they probably refer to Thomas' father, though some might refer to Thomas himself. The entry in 'Landowners of Ireland, Co Cork 1876' showing "Townsend, Rev. Thomas. 995 acres. £375 15s." most likely does refer to Thomas as his father died in 1860.
‘Slater’s Royal National Directory of Ireland, 1894’ records under the heading ‘Munster Parishes - Aghada Private Residents’ - “Townsend Rev. Thomas BA.”
The April 1901 Irish Census records Thomas as a 69 year old clergyman living at house 13 in Aghada, Corkbeg, Cork, with his wife, two sons, three daughters and two domestic staff. The house consisted of eleven rooms, a coach house, a stable and 13 further outbuildings. The 1911 Irish Census shows that Thomas a retired widower, was aged 82, and was living at house 15 in Aghada Town Lower with his daughters Helena aged 47 and Clare aged 33, his son William aged 40 and one domestic.
Thomas and Alicia are buried in St Colman's Cathedral, Cloyne, and the inscription on their headstone reads "IN LOVING MEMORY OF ALICIA TOWNSEND WHO DIED AT AGHADA RECTORY ON 16 DEC 1908 AGED 86. OF THOMAS TOWNSEND WHO DIED ON 3 AUG 1898 AGED 33 AND ETHEL TOWNSEND WHO DIED ON 20 JAN 1881 AGED 12. ALSO REV THOMAS TOWNSEND. 42 YEARS RECTOR OF AGHADA WHO DIED ON 10 DEC 1912 AGED 84. AT REST HELENA TOWNSEND BORN 16 MAR 1864 AND DIED 20 JUNE 1912." Helena is their second eldest daughter. No other record exists for the 33-year-old Thomas Townsend and Ethel Townsend.
Judge John FitzHenry Townsend [250] shows Alice as daughter of R Isaac of Bunbury, Co Cork.
Alice is the only child shown in Burke's Irish Family Reccords 1976.
(1) Alice died between 1901, where she is shown in the Census, and 1911 where she is not.