With Gratitude to Pete Townsend
Here is the list of Townsend probate files in Jefferson County
Here are the links to each of the wills.
Abner Townsend, died April of 1852 in Syracuse. There is a statement by wife Pamela that Abner's father is Nathan in Watertown. Abner also has a probate file in Lewis County, file 200. I was unable to find it and it may be a different Abner. The date is circa 1815.
Alce Townsend's will, June 12, 1824, which is actually missing from the file and only includes statements by others that they saw her sign the will. No will is there, so there is still no information on the family group except number of boys and girls, age ranges from the census, and that she is Abraham/Absolum's "relic" in the land records.
Benjamin Townsend, Wilma, June 1882. His wife is Naomi. Pension file from the Civil War is referenced that showed he served with the New York Volunteers; pension card is below. No other information is provided in the probate.
Burton B. Townsend, died, will probated August 1853. He was the son of John Townsend of Philadelphia Village, Jefferson County. His wife Harriet, no children. There is apparently some contest over the administration of his estate. It is quite a probate file of his effects, which include 3 pair of woolen underwear and a bunch of great book titles that one would expect a teacher of the era to have, including a Greek Grammar. . By the time the process is finished, Harriet's last name changes to Lewis.
Charles Townsend of Brownville, probated August 14, 1856. His father was Daniel Townsend who had not been heard from for 5 years and was of an advanced age with bad habits and presumed dead. Brother George W Townsend of Alexandria is mentioned. Petition to Administer the estate by brother Thomas J Townsend of Henderson. Minor aged sister, Mercy A is listed, with no guardian. Charles fell overboard in Massachusetts and was lost at sea.
Daniel Townsend of Wilma, died intestate, probate filed January 1856. Wife Adeline files for probate. Research by others suggests that he may be a member of the Josiah/Johnathan group. He appears to be the father of Charles referenced above.
Harriet Townsend of Alexandria died intestate in August 1884, probate filed April 1888. Letters of Administration filed by daughter Nancy Putnam. George W. Townsend of Alexandria surviving husband; Charles E Townsend, Fred H Townsend, of Cass County Iowa also surviving children.
Johnathan Townsend of Pamela, died probate filed Sept. 1854; sons Truman B. Townsend and George K Townsend, Lyman Townsend; Dexter Havens and Willard Ives executors, Lewis Barber and Bernard Bagley, witnesses; Harriet Van Amber wife of John Van Amber, Sarah Van Amber of Michigan, and several family members who contest a last minute codicil. Hulls, Blodgets, Moores, Falls, and others from Canada, Pennsylvania as well as Syracuse and Oswego listed among others. Apparently there are children from two different marriages.
Lyman Townsend's will is probated in 1871. Lydia, Addis, George O Townsend, Ida Townsend, Fannie B Townsend, Orvill Townsend, Sarah A Cooper are mentioned. Guardians appointed for minor children Ida and Fannie.
Truman Townsend 's will probated July 1888 lists Margaret Townsend, wife, George K Townsend, Libbie DeSong of Watertown, Florence Clark of Franklin County, NY, Pricilla K Smith of Oak Park, IL as family members.
William Townsend died intestate and in 1866, estate papers are filed . His sons Gilbert S and Devulcout (sp?) step forward along with Eliza Chapman, Mary Ann Sheley (Shelby?), and Miles S Townsend; Two minor children are mentioned of the late Edwin Townsend, son of William. It looks like another son that has a name that is not legible is mentioned. Also M.D. Townsend and Ann Townsend are mentioned.
Oneida Wills Relevant to Jefferson County Townsend Families
Robert Townsend, Will filed 1888, testimony that he had been living in Westmoreland, Oneida County for the last 10 years. This is the oldest son of John Townsend of Philadelphia Village and Bucks County, PA. Will lists second wife, Julie S. Townsend, equal distributions to the children, Abi T. Huntley(sp?), Ann Eliza Bickwell, Ezra R. Townsend, adopted daughter Mary A Carpenter.
Nathaniel Townsend, a citizen of the city of Austin Texas but currently a resident of Troy, NY, October 1863. Wife Angelina, son Benjamin, and friend Fredrick Chandler of Austin, Texas. Generic children mentioned as if he intends to have them in the future, but outside of Benjamin, no specific children named. Provisions for future grandchildren are made, none named. It is a 100+ year will, and looks like the sort of thing filed with a land purchase.
John Townsend of Westmoreland (not Philadelphia Village). Lists wife Pamela, sons Henry L. Townsend, George B. Townsend, John Townsend Jr., Martin L. Townsend, William Townsend, daughters Jane Graves (wife of Benjamin Graves), Amelia J. Stoddard (widow), Elizabeth Rogers, wife of Henry Rogers. Provided to help discern any that might drift eastward. [16 July 1860]
Lewis County
I am singularly unimpressed with the indexing of the wills in Lewis. However, once you find the will, you generally find genealogy pay dirt. The judge was extremely detailed in his notes.
Thomas Townsend, brother of John Townsend in Philadelphia, died January 1856. Mentioned are Jesse Townsend, already deceased, Elizabeth Townsend, Thomas's widow; Rachel Rogers the wife of Thomas Rogers, residing in Grieg, Lewis County; Sarah Hill, the wife of William Hill residing in Lewis County, Ann Phelps, wife of Solomon Phelps, residing in Lowville, Lewis County, Thomas J. Townsend of Winnebago, WI; grandchildren listed Thomas T Hill, Western Oneida County, a minor; Abi Gillet, wife of Leonard Gillet residing in Lima, Lewis County; Jesse Townsend, a minor residing at East Avon, Levingston [sic]; Mary Townsend and Margaret Townsend, minors living in Lima. There is apparently an issue because an N. Duane Baker from Minnesota is involved with the will. He is a merchant who had regular contact with Thomas and represented Thomas in his western land interests. The will orders that the lands held in Wisconsin and Michigan be sold and cash given to his daughters Rachel, Sarah, and Ann. Wills said distributions had already been made to son Jesse, Thomas, and daughter Elizabeth. Nothing was to be sold before wife Elizabeth dies, and all profit is to be used to support her until she dies. The distributions occur after her death. The will that is held by Duane Baker has new executors because of Jesse's death. It is very detailed, ending with image 396.
Abraham Perkins, mentioned daughter Cynthia Townsend, wife of John Townsend of Fowler, St. Lawrence County.
Israel Knight, while not a Townsend, certainly someone of note in the Byberry & Mooreland records. On page 325, Giles (7), Joseph (22) lists son Israel Knight. It seems likely this is him. He is also mentioned in Haddock.
Jesse Townsend, son of Thomas Townsend; Jesse Townsend, Margaret Townsend, and Mary Townsend are minors and David Miller of Martinsburg is appointed to represent the children's interests as a disinterested party. Solomon Phelps, Mary Townsend (sister of Jesse), William Hill, and Abi Gillet, appear to prove the will. He made the will at age 49; he died, April 1852. Abi Gillet is Jesse's daughter as well as three daughters by wife Mary. Daughters Mary Elizabeth and Margaret Amelia receive payments when they are 21. Provisions for care of his parents, Thomas and Elizabeth.
Oswego County
James H Townsend, of the Village of Fulton, d 1872 only person mentioned is wife Julia. He leaves everything to her and mentions no other family member. Will is 553 on J-K. (my James dies much later, this is a man contemporaneous to the James in my line). A beautiful testimony of love for his wife, no other family mentioned.
Baxter Townsend, Wife Jemima W Townsend granted income from estate, Egbert Townsend receives the lands he is on, Egbert and Eliza (wife of Lorenzo Cooper) to share profits after Jemima passes. [Egert and Eliza may be from prior marriage to Sally while living in Champion, Jefferson County] William Iniff to receive carpenter tools, mentions Jemima's children from prior marriage Hudson, William James, Richard W Quigg. Richard Hard is co-executor with Jemima.
Allenson Townsend, of Schroepple, Oswego, Dec. 23, 1884. A short & sweet will. Leaves son Harvey in Herkimer County, NY $25.00, the balance to Lucy Townsend, the wife of his son William. After Lucy passes, the shares to be divided equally between William's two daughters Dora and Mary; his son William is named executor.
John Weaver's widow Mary Weaver (formerly of Rome), relevant to the line of Fletcher Jacocks, who married into the Townsend line.
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