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Henry Townsend (1809 - 1889)
Jane Townsend, New Zealand October 2015 We were recently approached by Jane Townsend and her husband Gerald whose family had settled in New Zealand a hundred and fifty years ago. She was looking for more information about her husband's ancestor, Henry Townsend, who had been born in Box and lived there before moving to Trowbridge and later emigrating. At first we wondered if Henry might have lived in the Townsend area of Box but we couldn't establish a definite connection. But whilst we were investigating, Jane came back with her research and the Townsend Family story involving emigration, polygamy, bigamy and the Mormon Church of Latter-day Saints. What a story! Right: Townsend House (courtesy Carol Payne) |
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Background
My husband’s great great grandfather, Henry Townsend, was born in 1809 in Box and he emigrated to Australia about 1857, before moving to Otago, New Zealand, where he died on 25 June 1889. We don’t know why Henry and his four sons emigrated to Australia and New Zealand in the mid-1800s. But probably, like other people, they were looking for a better life and opportunities for themselves and their families.
My husband’s great great grandfather, Henry Townsend, was born in 1809 in Box and he emigrated to Australia about 1857, before moving to Otago, New Zealand, where he died on 25 June 1889. We don’t know why Henry and his four sons emigrated to Australia and New Zealand in the mid-1800s. But probably, like other people, they were looking for a better life and opportunities for themselves and their families.
Henry and Eliza Townsend and Family
Henry was the eldest child of James Townsend and Elizabeth (possibly nee Amesbury) who had eleven children. James was a cooper, according to the Box baptism records of his children. Interestingly all of Henry and Eliza's sons emigrated to Australia and New Zealand in the mid-1800s: Francis Henry Townsend, born 1838 at Trowbridge; James Andrew Townsend, born 1842 at Trowbridge (my husband’s great grandfather); John Townsend, born about 1847 Melksham Registration District; and Albert Edward Townsend, born about 1849 at Trowbridge.
Henry was a butcher who married Eliza Chadwick on 29 December 1835 at St James Church, Trowbridge. By the time of the 1841 census he and Eliza were living at Broad Street, Trowbridge, with Henry working as a butcher. By 1851 they had moved to live in Thomas Street, Trowbridge. It appears that about 1857 he travelled to Ballarat, Victoria, Australia which was a gold mining area, possibly working there as a butcher (but I have yet to verify this). The Victorian Gold rush was certainly underway by 1857.
Henry’s wife, Eliza Chadwick didn’t come to Australia or New Zealand as she died on 28 August 1861 at Folly Lane, Atworth, Wiltshire. Their two daughters, Clara Maria and Sarah Sophia, also stayed behind in Wiltshire: Clara Maria Townsend was born in 1837 at Trowbridge and died on 13 February 1859 at Trowbridge. I initially had difficulty tracing Clara Maria but found her in the 1841 and 1851 census, as Maria Townsend, living with her mother Eliza’s brother, Andrew Chadwick, who owned the White Swan inn / hotel, Trowbridge. Andrew’s mother, Sarah, appears to have run the hotel before Andrew took it over when Sarah died in 1851.
Sarah Sophia Townsend was born in 1840 at Trowbridge. She was married on 28 October 1861 at Atworth, Wiltshire to Alfred Sheppard. Sarah Sophia died in the March quarter of1862 at Atworth. She was a dressmaker (per 1861 census).
Henry's Sister, Henrietta, and the Mormon Church
Henry was the eldest child of James Townsend and Elizabeth (possibly nee Amesbury) who had eleven children. James was a cooper, according to the Box baptism records of his children. Interestingly all of Henry and Eliza's sons emigrated to Australia and New Zealand in the mid-1800s: Francis Henry Townsend, born 1838 at Trowbridge; James Andrew Townsend, born 1842 at Trowbridge (my husband’s great grandfather); John Townsend, born about 1847 Melksham Registration District; and Albert Edward Townsend, born about 1849 at Trowbridge.
Henry was a butcher who married Eliza Chadwick on 29 December 1835 at St James Church, Trowbridge. By the time of the 1841 census he and Eliza were living at Broad Street, Trowbridge, with Henry working as a butcher. By 1851 they had moved to live in Thomas Street, Trowbridge. It appears that about 1857 he travelled to Ballarat, Victoria, Australia which was a gold mining area, possibly working there as a butcher (but I have yet to verify this). The Victorian Gold rush was certainly underway by 1857.
Henry’s wife, Eliza Chadwick didn’t come to Australia or New Zealand as she died on 28 August 1861 at Folly Lane, Atworth, Wiltshire. Their two daughters, Clara Maria and Sarah Sophia, also stayed behind in Wiltshire: Clara Maria Townsend was born in 1837 at Trowbridge and died on 13 February 1859 at Trowbridge. I initially had difficulty tracing Clara Maria but found her in the 1841 and 1851 census, as Maria Townsend, living with her mother Eliza’s brother, Andrew Chadwick, who owned the White Swan inn / hotel, Trowbridge. Andrew’s mother, Sarah, appears to have run the hotel before Andrew took it over when Sarah died in 1851.
Sarah Sophia Townsend was born in 1840 at Trowbridge. She was married on 28 October 1861 at Atworth, Wiltshire to Alfred Sheppard. Sarah Sophia died in the March quarter of1862 at Atworth. She was a dressmaker (per 1861 census).
Henry's Sister, Henrietta, and the Mormon Church
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Henrietta Townsend (born 13 September 1829 at Box), was the youngest and probably the most fascinating of Henry’s siblings! She married Simon Long Smith in 1852 at Bath, Somerset. Simon was baptised into the Latter-day Saints Mormon Church in 1848 in Somerset. He decided to emigrate to Salt Lake City, Utah, USA in 1856 and follow the Mormon plural marriage or polygamy belief.
Henrietta refused to agree to this form of marriage and remained in Somerset. Then in 1864 she married Edward Aaron Wherrett but Simon Smith was still alive and there was no divorce. She had four children with Simon and three children with Edward. Edward was also already married to Jane Amelia Gay. She had emigrated to Utah, USA with one of their two sons in 1864. She also married in Utah, while Edward was still alive. Edward emigrated to Utah in 1879. |
Mormon Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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In 1874 Henrietta emigrated to Utah, with her Wherrett children. Her three Smith daughters had earlier moved to Utah. She found Simon living in a small cabin with two wives and several children. Once again she refused to countenance polygamy and Simon asked the wives to leave. There was a subsequent court case involving one of these wives.
By the 1881 census Henrietta and Simon L Smith were back living in Bristol, Gloucestershire with three children. By 1882 the family were once again back in USA living in Missouri. Simon died in 1898 and Henrietta died in 1911 both in St Joseph, Buchanan, Missouri. All this travelling to and fro between UK and USA in the mid- to late-1800s is amazing, considering the difficulties and remoteness associated with early settlement of the western USA.
By the 1881 census Henrietta and Simon L Smith were back living in Bristol, Gloucestershire with three children. By 1882 the family were once again back in USA living in Missouri. Simon died in 1898 and Henrietta died in 1911 both in St Joseph, Buchanan, Missouri. All this travelling to and fro between UK and USA in the mid- to late-1800s is amazing, considering the difficulties and remoteness associated with early settlement of the western USA.
Other Brothers and Sisters
Whilst researching Henry Townsend's ten siblings, I discovered that several of them emigrated to Australia. Matilda Townsend (born 1 March 1818 at Box) emigrated to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia in 1858. It appears that her husband, William Tucker had emigrated earlier. She had four children and remained in Australia until she died in 1889.
Elizabeth Townsend (born 27 April 1827 at Box) emigrated to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia in 1862, accompanied by a three year-old child. It would appear that she had left her first husband, William Padfield, whilst living in Walcot, Bath, Somerset. She then married James Franks (brother of Charlotte Franks - see below) in 1859 at Somerset. He emigrated to Australia in 1864 with their three remaining children. It seems that James went on to marry a further twice: to Elizabeth Forrest in Australia and then Sarah Jane Carpenter back in Somerset. Elizabeth Townsend, his first wife remained in Australia until she died on 1 January 1884 in Melbourne.
Frederick Townsend (born 4 June 1821 at Box) and his wife, Charlotte Franks remained in Somerset and had four children. Their son, Francis Walter Townsend, emigrated to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and married Annie Pattison in 1877 at Melbourne. Francis Walter died in 1898 in Victoria, Australia and he and Annie had eight children.
Other brothers and sisters remain elusive and it would be great if anyone can find information on the lives of these siblings: John Townsend (born 4 February 1811 at Box); Susannah Gilby Townsend (born 1813 at Malmesbury); Simon Townsend (born 30 May 1814 at Box); Amelia Townsend (born 29 June 1815 at Box); Thirza (Theresa?) Gilby Townsend (born 21 May 1823 at Box); and Abraham Townsend (born 1 July 1825).
Whilst researching Henry Townsend's ten siblings, I discovered that several of them emigrated to Australia. Matilda Townsend (born 1 March 1818 at Box) emigrated to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia in 1858. It appears that her husband, William Tucker had emigrated earlier. She had four children and remained in Australia until she died in 1889.
Elizabeth Townsend (born 27 April 1827 at Box) emigrated to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia in 1862, accompanied by a three year-old child. It would appear that she had left her first husband, William Padfield, whilst living in Walcot, Bath, Somerset. She then married James Franks (brother of Charlotte Franks - see below) in 1859 at Somerset. He emigrated to Australia in 1864 with their three remaining children. It seems that James went on to marry a further twice: to Elizabeth Forrest in Australia and then Sarah Jane Carpenter back in Somerset. Elizabeth Townsend, his first wife remained in Australia until she died on 1 January 1884 in Melbourne.
Frederick Townsend (born 4 June 1821 at Box) and his wife, Charlotte Franks remained in Somerset and had four children. Their son, Francis Walter Townsend, emigrated to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and married Annie Pattison in 1877 at Melbourne. Francis Walter died in 1898 in Victoria, Australia and he and Annie had eight children.
Other brothers and sisters remain elusive and it would be great if anyone can find information on the lives of these siblings: John Townsend (born 4 February 1811 at Box); Susannah Gilby Townsend (born 1813 at Malmesbury); Simon Townsend (born 30 May 1814 at Box); Amelia Townsend (born 29 June 1815 at Box); Thirza (Theresa?) Gilby Townsend (born 21 May 1823 at Box); and Abraham Townsend (born 1 July 1825).
Why did Henry Townsend emigrate?
Going back to our ancestor Henry, we can speculate why Henry emigrated. We know that Box was booming after 1841 when the opening of Box Tunnel revealed an abundance of stone suitable for house building. Nor was it a period of agricultural downturn like that which hit the area after 1873.
Going back to our ancestor Henry, we can speculate why Henry emigrated. We know that Box was booming after 1841 when the opening of Box Tunnel revealed an abundance of stone suitable for house building. Nor was it a period of agricultural downturn like that which hit the area after 1873.
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It is possible that Henry set out for Australia to look for his fortune in the gold fields. But there may be another reason. We have found two references to Assizes Court proceedings against a Henry Townsend of Wiltshire. On 2 January 1849 he was acquitted of larceny and on 4 April 1854 acquitted of larceny again.
Larceny is the theft of property. Perhaps Henry was fed up of being accused and concerned that the next time he was found guilty he would have been sentenced to a long period of imprisonment or transportation to a penal establishment. This might also explain why Eliza stayed in England with the daughters. More research is needed to say definitively that this is our Henry. There is no known photo of Henry Townsend or other family members of his generation. This is a photo of his son, James Andrew, who was my husband’s paternal great grandfather. Photograph left: James Andrew Townsend (courtesy Jane Townsend) |
Townsend Family Reunion
There’s to be a Townsend Family Reunion in March 2016 in Waikouaiti, Otago, New Zealand. Kelly Townsend, a cousin of my husband, and I are organising it, hence the interest in finding out some more about the family in Box. We’ve got a descendant contact from each family branch of the children of Henry’s son: James Andrew Townsend and his wife, Janet Lyall. They married in Dunedin, New Zealand, in 1866 and had twelve children. There are only six family branches of this family with living descendants. James and Janet settled at Waikouaiti which is a small village north of Dunedin. James’ father, Henry, lived with them and died there in 1889 aged 80 years.
It has been fascinating researching this family and there’s still plenty to discover ! I am now keen to research back another generation to James Townsend’s parents - possibly Walter Townsend and Mary?
There’s also another Townsend mystery to be solved: why do several of Henry’s siblings have a second name, Gilby? I cannot find any evidence of this name in the family so far, for example was it a female ancestor’s maiden surname?
There’s to be a Townsend Family Reunion in March 2016 in Waikouaiti, Otago, New Zealand. Kelly Townsend, a cousin of my husband, and I are organising it, hence the interest in finding out some more about the family in Box. We’ve got a descendant contact from each family branch of the children of Henry’s son: James Andrew Townsend and his wife, Janet Lyall. They married in Dunedin, New Zealand, in 1866 and had twelve children. There are only six family branches of this family with living descendants. James and Janet settled at Waikouaiti which is a small village north of Dunedin. James’ father, Henry, lived with them and died there in 1889 aged 80 years.
It has been fascinating researching this family and there’s still plenty to discover ! I am now keen to research back another generation to James Townsend’s parents - possibly Walter Townsend and Mary?
There’s also another Townsend mystery to be solved: why do several of Henry’s siblings have a second name, Gilby? I cannot find any evidence of this name in the family so far, for example was it a female ancestor’s maiden surname?
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And Finally:
Did Henry Come from Townsend? Jane wondered if Henry may have lived in the hamlet of Townsend, Box. Townsend was no more than half a dozen houses in the 1840 tithe map, quite close to the centre of the village, connected to it by a street called Bull Lane. Back in medieval times this was the road leading to the field where the communal bull was grazed. After the 1700s the area became quite grand. Townsend House was used as a dames school (school for girls to learn domestic skills). The area was at the top of Glovers Lane and it is possible that the wealth of Townsend was connected with the cloth trade. Unfortunately, there is no mention of any person called Townsend in Box in the 1840 record. |
Extract of 1840 Tithe Apportionment map (courtesy Wilts History Centre).
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Source
Larry D Christiansen, "Simon Long Smith: Bishop Smith of Clarkston: His Personal and Religious Odyssey" for information on Simon L Smith and Henrietta Townsend.
Larry D Christiansen, "Simon Long Smith: Bishop Smith of Clarkston: His Personal and Religious Odyssey" for information on Simon L Smith and Henrietta Townsend.