John R. Townsend

From History and Directory of Yates County, New York
published 1873, Penn Yan, New York
edited by Stafford C. Cleveland,
vol. 1, chapter on Town of Benton
pp. 344-345

Transcribed by Annette Campbell

An early improvement made by David Squier, on lot 86, in Benton, was bought by John R. Townsend, the father of Thomas M. Townsend, now a prosperous farmer residing on lot 85, on the Potter road, and also owning the land of his father's first purchase. John R. and his brother Thomas Townsend, came to Benton about 1811, from GREENE county. Thomas sold out and moved west in a few years, and John R. died in 1825, at the age of forty. His wife, who was Abagail Mead, of Greene county, is still living with her children, at the age of seventy-eight. Their children were Amanda, Hannah, Philinda, Thomas M. and Deborah L. Amanda married Joseph Merritt, and moved to Illinois, about 1850. Their children are Emerson, Abagail, Jane, Huldah, Philinda, Electa, Daniel, Stephen and Edwin. The mother died a few years since.

Hannah married Sheldon W. Munger, a tailor, residing in Penn Yan. Their children are John, Deloss, Amanda, Mary and George. John is married and resides in Chicago, and George is married and resides in Buffalo.

Philinda married Edward Davis, of Pultney. They reside near Rochester, and have six children, William, John, Albert, Sarah, Rosetta and Susan.

Susan Townsend married John Wixson, a farmer of Wayne, Steuben county. Their children are Florence and Clarence.

Thomas M. Townsend, born in 1821, married Sarah of Abram Rapelyea, of Farmer, Seneca county. He has a farm of two hundred and eighty acres, including the premises first owned by his father, and his uncle, Thomas Townsend. Their children are Abram R., Sarah A. and Thomas I. Abram R. is a student of Cornell University.

Deborah L. is the wife of John P. Scofield, of Benton. Their children are Arthur, Herbert and Hattie.

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