The TOWNSEND SOCIETY OF AMERICA was a museum and a library with historical books such as printed volumes of county histories and genealogical resources as well as archival materials but our mission evolved. Much in our holdings has been scanned and made available to members online. Today our goal is to clarify and build Townsend family groups through the use of historical records, help members with their family tree questions, and expand our knowledge of historical Townsend families.
The Townsend surname was found throughout England and medieval court documents show various spellings including Towensend, Tounson, Townend and Townsend. A geographical surname, Townsend described someone who lived at the end of the town. In 1192 one Wulfric "at te tunesende" was recorded in the county of Suffolk. By 1327 when surnames became common, William atte Towensende in the county of Worcestershire owed taxes; his descendants would drop the "atte." Most modern Townsends use this spelling of the surname although in the north of England, Townend can still be found, and in the American South, variations that include Townsell and Townsin appeared.
The Townsend Society of America assists and supports members with their family histories and genealogies. In our "Members Only" pages, we provide the contents of our journal and newsletter, collections and archives to our membership. Membership is open to all who share an interest in the goals of the society. We are interested in ALL Townsends.
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A lock on the Erie Canal in Wayne County, New York. Several Townsend families lived in this county, circa 1820-1840, near the canal. In Butler were distant Oyster Bay cousins Nathan Townsend [Zephaniah] and Lewis Townsend [Joseph] out of Dutchess Co., who moved west to MI and WI. Living at Arcadia for several years either side of 1840 was the Rev. Kneeland Townsend from CT [1st Universalist Society], a descendant of Thomas Townsend of Lynn, MA. In Palmyra were Edward, Jonathan, Rev. Jesse and Edward S. Townsend. Jonathan was born in 1787 in Hebron, CT which makes him a descendant of Martin Townsend of Watertown, MA. Henry Townsend of Macedon [formerly Palmyra] is yet to be identified. [Photo taken by Liane Fenimore from the overpass at Lock E-25, on the way from Butler to I-90]
