Burval Genealogy

Jesse was born on 10 August 1793 at Marlboro, South Carolina, United States.¹ He was the son of John Townsend and Kiziah Hays. He married Axey Flowers circa 1816 at Liberty, Georgia, United States. He died in November 1879 at Duval, Florida, United States, at age 86.
Biography of Jesse Townsend:
Kathi Vincent of Lady Lake, Florida, compiled much of the information below.² Kathi is the 3rd great granddaughter of Jesse Townsend and has been working on his genealogy for the past 15 years. Some of that information is reproduced here with her permission.

Jesse Townsend served 60 days as a private in Captain Trust Bythea’s Company of the South Carolina Militia in the War of 1812. In 1871, at age 78, Jesse applied for and was awarded a Pension for his service. The pension application papers, which discuss his service, were obtained by Kathi Vincent and transcribed by her,² are shown below.

*** Start of Transcription of Pension Application

10 Jul 1871, WAR OF 1812, DECLARATION FOR A PENSION, Act of February 14,A.D. 1871. Jesse Townsend Applicant. Late a Private in Capt. Trust Bythea's Compy of Col. Youngblood's Regt. S. C. Vols.
Declaration For A Soldier's Pension, Who served Sixty Days during the War of 1812.
State of Florida, County of Duval, ss
On this 10 day of July A.D. one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, personally appeared before me Judge of the County Court Being, a Court of Record within and for the County and State aforesaid, Jesse Townsend aged 78 years, a resident of the County of Duval, in the State of Florida, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he was married, and that his wife's name was Axie Flowers, to whom he was married at Liberty County, Georgia on the ____ day of ____A.D. 181_, and that he served the full period of sixty days in the military service of the United States; and that he is the identical Jesse Townsend who Volunteered in Captain Trust Bythea's company in Colonel Youngblood's regiment, at Hadrel Point State of South Carolina. . . . and was honorably discharged at Orangeburg State of South Carolina . . ; and that he performed service as a Private.
. . . That his post office is at Jacksonville, County of Duval. State of Florida. That his domicile, or place of abode, is Near Jacksonville, Duval County - Florida. Jesse (his X mark) Townsend, Applicant
Attest: R M Jack, Miles Price.
Sworn to, subscribed, and acknowledged before me, the day and year above written, and also personally appeared R M Jack, residing in Jacksonville and Miles Price, residing in the State of Florida, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being duly sworn, say that they were present and saw, Jesse Townsend Make His Mark to the foregoing declaration; and they further swear that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of the applicant and their acquaintance with him, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be, and further, that , at no time during the late rebellion against the authority of the United States, did he adhere to the cause of the enemies of the Government, giving them aid of comfort, and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim . ATTEST: R M Jack, Miles Price.
Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 10 day of July A.D. 1871,and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration were fully, made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing, including the words . . . . William A. McLean, Judge of the County Court.

CLERK'S CERTIFICATE
State of Florida, County of DUVAL, ss
I Chas. Mather Clerk of the County Court within and for the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that THE HON. William A. McLean before whom the foregoing Pension Declaration and joint affidavit were made and who has thereunto signed his name, was, at time of doing , a Judge of the County Court in and for the County and State above-named, duly elected, qualified, and sworn; that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit , and that his signature, as it above appears, is genuine.
Given under my hand and seal of SAID Court at office in Jacksonville this 10th day of J uly A.D. 1871.
Chas. Mather Clerk County Court.

18 Jul 1871, PENSION. No. 21956. Act of February 14, 1871, War of 1812.
Jesse Townsend Duval Co. Florida Capt. Trust Bythea S.C. Militia
Received July 18, 1871 Thomas E. Lloyd Washington DC, Attorney.
3 AND SEN DEC 6/71
CRED. ___ Atty Dec 6/71
B. L. D. March 1/72
3 AND ___ B L Rept
July 6/72
Atty Cret. MIT. Aug. 30/72 D-
October 19th Certf.. V.P.F.C.A.

6 Dec 1871, WAR OF 1812, Act of Feb. 14, 1871. Department of the Interior, Pension Office.
Sir,
You are respectfully requested to furnish official evidence of the enrollment, muster, service, and duty of Jesse Townsend, who at Hadrel Point S.C. . . . in Captain Trust Bythea Company Col. Youngblood Regiment S.C. MIL, and who was discharged at Orangeburg SC . . .
Please return this circular with your report, Claim No. 21756. J.H.Baker Commissioner

30 Aug 1872, PENSION, WAR OF 1812, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Pension Office, Washington D. C.
SIR, In the claim for pension of Jesse Townsend a survior of the War of 1812, under the Act of February 14, 1871 No. 21.756, R.M. JACK and Miles Price testify to the claimant's loyalty.
You are required to show by the certificate of an officer of a United States Court, a United States Commissioner, an Assessor, Assistant Assessor, Collector, Deputy Collector or Supervisor of Internal Revenue, or a Postmaster, to the satisfaction of this Office that , after careful investigation, he is convinced the above witnesses are men of undoubted good character for truth and veracity, and that their statements in this affidavit referred to are worthy of full faith and credit. Very respectfully, J.H. Baker Commissioner
Thomas E. Lloyd Esq., Washington D.C.

***End of Transcription of Pension Application²

Jesse and his young family are first found in the 1820 Census of Liberty County, Georgia. He likely moved to Liberty County to be near his Uncle, Light Townsend (1770-1851) who had moved to Liberty County in the early 1800’s. Jessie along with his brothers John, Allen and David R. moved to Irwin County Georgia about 1824/25 with his family. He is found in the 1830 Lowndes County Georgia (Lowndes County was formed out of Irwin County in 1825) census with nine children, 4 males and 5 females in his household.

While living in Lowndes County, Georgia, Jesse served from 17 June to 17 Dec 1837 in Captain Madison C. Livingston's (Madison County, Florida) Company of the 2nd Regiment of East Florida (Volunteers) Militia, commanded by Brig. Gen'l Hernandez.. This company was formed to protect against the Indian raids. The company was ordered into service on 8 Oct 1837 at Fort Palmetto. Madison C. Livingston, Captain was commanding officer and certified the muster roll to be true and accurate. On the same day and place, F.G. Johnes, Lieut. Certified he had inspected and mustered the company. Jesse was mustered out on 18 Dec 1837 at Fort Gilliland, Florida, M.C. Livingston, Captain commanding the company certified the muster to be accurate and just. On the same day and place, S. Churchill, Maj. Adj't Gen'l, US Army, certified the muster to be accurate, and, honorably discharged the company from the service of the United States.²

Jesse is found in the 1840 census of Lowndes County with 12 children, 5 males and 6 females. It would appear he remained in Lowndes County, whereas his brothers had all moved into Madison County Florida by 1840. By 1850 we find him and his family enumerated in Jacksonville, Florida with 10 children. By 1860 we find him and his family of 6 children enumerated in Orlando, Orange County, Florida. His wife Axey is not with the family inferring that she died before the 1860 census. By 1870 he is living in Baldwin Post Office in Duval County, Florida.

In 1876, Jesse filed a claim with the Southern Claims Commission to be compensated for 16 head of cattle that were confiscated by Union Troops near the end of the Civil War. The claim application papers which discusses his loyalty to the Union cause as well as his health and his claim were obtained by Kathi Vincent and transcribed² by her, are shown below.

*** Start of Claim Transcription

1876, SOUTHERN CLAIMS COMMISSION, Jesse Townsend, Duval County, Florida. Commission #22292, Office #___, Report #6, Status: Allowed. Claims to be paid by the contracting department. (This means Jesse was a Union sympathizer, or Loyalist (Loyal to the Union) in 1876, he filed a claim for provisions he willingly gave or had confiscated by the Union army, and had to Prove he had remained 'loyal' to the Union. This is surprising since his son Charles was a Confederate soldier. I am ordering this file. 11/10/2000 KV) Received 26 Jan 2001.

No Date, Claim of Jesse Townsend of Duval County Florida $256..
Application to have testimony taken by Special Commissioner
(Signed) C.M.Hamiliton Washington D.C. Attorneys.

That, by the following-named persons, the claimant expects to prove the taking or furnishing of the property for the use of the army of the United States:
Axey Ann Townsend of Duval County
Chas. F. Townsend of Duval County
Miles Price of Duval County
Chas. M. Hamilton of Washington D.C.
The claimant now prays that the testimony of the witnesses just designated be taken and recorded, at such place and at the Special Commissioner may designate, at the proper cost of the said claimant; and that due notice of the time and place of the taking thereof be given to the Claimant, through his counsel.
(Signed) Jesse Townsen (X) his mark, Claimant
(Signed) C.M. Hamilton, Attorney
Witnesses-
Charles F. Townsend
Eli Broadnax

19 Jul 1872, (Front Page) Before The Commissionor's of Claims, Act of Congress, March 3, 1871.
Case of Jesse Townsend
It is hereby certified, that in the 19th day of July 1872, at Jacksonville in the county o f Duval and State of Florida, personally came before me the following persons, viz: Jesse Townsend, Claimant, and Axeyann Townsend, Delany Townsend, Charles F. Townsend, Miles Price, C.M. Hamilton Claimants Witnesses, at sundry times for the purpose of a hearing in the above entitled cause.
Each and every deponent, previous to his or her examination, was properly and duly sworn or affirmed by me to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, concerning the matters under examination; and the testimony of each deponent was written out by me, or in my presence, and as given before me, and subsequently read over to said deponent, by whom it was also subscribed in my presence.
Witness my hand and seal this 26th day of October 1872. SEAL C.L.Robinson, Special Commissioner of the Commissioner of Claims.
Deposition of Jesse Townsend
In answer to the First General Interrogatory, the Deponent says: My name is Jesse Townsend, my age 79 years, my residence in Duval County, in the State of Florida. I am blind & _____ __ & can do nothing.
That, as stated in the petition referred to, the property in question was taken from or furnished by Jesse Townsend of Duval County, in the State of Florida, for the use of a portion of the army of the United States, known as....
That by the following-named persons the claimant expects to prove that, from the beginning of hostilities against the United States to the end thereof, his sympathies were constantly with the cause of the United States; that he never, of his own free will and accord, did anything, or offered, or sought, or attempted to do anything, by word or deed, to injure said cause or retard its success, and that he was at all times ready and willing, when called upon, or if called upon, to aid and assist the cause of the Union, or its supporters, so far as his means and power, and the circumstances of the case, permitted.
Axey Ann Townsend of Duval County
Delaney Townsend of Duval County
Chas. F. Townsend of Duval County
Miles Price of Duval County
Charles Hamilton (Scratched out)

Before The Commissioner of Claims, Under Act of Congress of March 3, 1871
In The Matter of The Claim of Jesse Townsend, the County of Duval and State of Florida
Comes mow the claimant, before C.L. Robinson, Esq., Special Commissioner for the State o f Florida, and represents that he has here to fore filed with the above named Commissioners a Petition for the allowance of a claim for property for the use of the army of the United States, which claim, as stated below, does not exceed the sum of five thousand dollars.
That the said claim, stated by items, and excluding there from all such items as refer to the Damage, Destruction, and Loss, and not the Use, of property; to unauthorized or unnecessary Depredations of troops and other persons upon the property, or to Rent of compensation for the occupation of buildings, grounds, or other real estate, is as follows'
Sixteen head of Cattle..Value 256 Dolls. 00 Cts.
Total...................................................256..............00.........

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To 2d Int(errogatory): I was residing in Orange County I left there since the war was over. About 30 acres of open land. 50 acres uncleared. I became blind the year before the war & was at home on my farm all the time during the war. I could do no work on account of my blindness.
To 3d Int(errogatory): I did not go anywhere. There were no lines up in that out of the way place. There were more or less of confederate soldiers straggling through that country at times stealing cattle. There was a sort of guard at a place called Cooks Landing five miles from my house a short time. The Landing is at the mouth of Lake Harney. The county was thinly settled.
To 4th Int(errogatory): No, I never did nor I would nit do it.
To 5th Int(errogatory): No, It was never offered to me. Where the Union soldiers came those they never mentioned it to me. No, I never none nothing for the President ot oppose.
To 6th. 7th. 8th. 9th. & 10th Int(errogatories): NO
To 11th Int(errogatory): I never was.

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To 12th Int(errogatory): NO
To 13th Int.: I was not.
To 14th int.: NO
To 15th. 16th. 17th. 18th. 19th. 20th. 21st. 22d. 23d. & 24th: The Deponent answers. NO
To 25th Int.: The straggling confederate soldiers took my cattle & hogs, a great many of them, I only suppose that they eat them. I could not know.
To 26th Int.: I have had people tell me I better not talk so or I would be burned up (Ques. how? I can't recollect now what I was saying. I remember when I would hear of our side being whipped in a battle I would say 'Never mind! They will get it back again.'
I felt it was not safe to talk much either way. I was helpless & they could so easily destroy all the little I had.
To 28th & 29th Int.: I never did. I never had a chance to. I was not able to if I had.
To 31th Int.: NO.
To 32th Int.: I had none except one son in the Confederate service. My sons name was Charles F. Townsend. He went because he was compelled

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to go by the conscription. I furnished him with nothing. I recommended him to take to the bushes & keep out of the service & I promised to feed him there if he would.
To 31st. 32d. 33d. 34th. 35th & 36th.: NO
To 37th Int.: I never have. I was a soldier of the United States Army in the war of 1812 . & in the Seminole wars.
To 28th Int.: NO
To 39th Int. NO
To 40th Int.: I sympathized with the Union cause strongly. I exerted my influence for that cause. I voted for a man to go to the Convention who promised to go the Union cause there.
We voted but once. The ordinance of succession was not ratified by the people. I was in favor of the Union cause both before & after the state seceded. I would not sell the Confederate authorities any hogs. They tried to buy them of me. Afterward they sent a paper to me to get me to sign promising to keep my hogs for them. I refused to sign it & sold my hogs to a private citizen.
To 41st Int. I Do.

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AS TO THE TAKING OF THE CATTLE DEPONENT SAYS:
To 1st Int.: I was not present when the cattle were taken.
To 2d Int.: All I know about the taking of the cattle is that Isaiah HART a neighbor of mine came to my house & told me that the Marion troops had gathered my cattle with 140 of his fathers cattle & had given a receipt to his father for his. I could not spare my cattle & I sent my daughter Axey Ann to Cooks Landing where the officers were to aske them to let me have m y cattle. They had been at my house the day before & knew my situation. They left some medicine for a sick daughter.
Axey Ann went & when she came back she said that they had got the cattle across the river, but they agreed to pay for them. She said she had got the officers receipt for the cattle. I could not see it I was blind. I don't recollect as I took hold of it. (Signed) Jesse Townsend (X) his mark
Sworn to & Subscribed before me this 19th day of July A.D. 1872 C.L.Robinson U.S. Comr.

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The said Witness, Axeyann Townsend aged 24 years, being first duly sworn to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, relative to the above named claim, testified as follows:
Interrogatory 1. When did your acquaintance with Jesse Townsend the said claimant begin: Where did you then reside; how old were you, and what was your occupation?
Answer: With my first recollection he is my father.
Interrogatory 2. Was your acquaintance with said claimant intimate throughout the war, or an y portion of it and if so, to what extent?
Answer: I lived with him throughout the whole war, to the present time.
Interrogatory 3. (Answered above)
Interrogatory 4. Did you converse often, and if so, how often, with the claimant, about the war, its causes and progress?
Answer: I talked with him frequently about the war.
Interrogatory 5. Were you as adherent of the Union cause, and how did the claimant regard you as to your adhesion and sympathies?
Answer: I was in sympathy with the confederate cause. Don't know how he regarded me.
Interrogatory 6. What did the claimant say to you at any time during the war, concerning the war, its causes, or the Union causes; and what did he say at any time during the war, concerning his sympathy with and adherence to the cause and government of the United States? State the occasion and circumstances of any such conversations and who were present.
Answer: In conversation with me he favored the Union cause always. I was with him almost every day. I did all the cow hunting & hog hunting all through the war. He was old & feeble & entirely blind at that time.

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Interrogatory 7. Did you know, during the war, what were the sympathies and opinions of the claimant, and if so, how did you know them?
Answer: I knew his feelings & sympathies by what he said. he talked about the war.
Interrogatory 8. Did said claimant converse with you on these subjects alone, or in the presence of others, and if the latter, state who were present?
Answer: He talked with me about the war. I don't remember who were present.
Interrogatory 9. Did you during, or at any time during the war, know the public reputation of the claimant as to his loyalty? If yes, state what it was.
Answer: I know the reputation of my father during the war. He was known to be a Union man by them that know'd him.
Interrogatory 10. Do you know how the said claimant was regarded during the war by his loyal neighbors? If yes, state the same fully.
Answer: I don't know how the neighbors looked on him.
Interrogatory 11. Did the claimant ever contribute any money or property to aid the Union cause, or the Union army, or did he ever give information to the officers of soldiers of the Union army, in aid of their movements and cause? If yes, state the same fully.
Answer: We lived way out in the woods about a mile from Lake Harvey away out from among people & I don't know as any one called on him for anything. We were poor & had nothing except our cattle & hogs & one horse.
Interrogatory 12. Was the said claimant ever molested or threatened with injury to himself, his family or his property, on account of his Union sentiments? If yes, state the same fully.
Answer: If he was, I don't know it.

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Interrogatory 13. Did the said claimant ever contribute anything in anyway to aid the Confederate government, or its officers if soldiers, or ever own any Confederate bonds, or do anything to sustain the credit of the Confederate States? If yes, declare the same, fully and at large.
Answer: No. if he did I don't know it. he had no Confederate Bonds. I don't know of his doing any thing to help the Confederate States. I don't think he did anything to help the Confederate cause.
He was not in favor to the Confederate cause & why should he do anything for it.
AS TO THE TAKING OF THE PROPERTY
1. Were you present when any of the articles of the property specified in the claimants petition were taken.
Ans. I was not present when the cattle were taken from the woods. I.D.HART told me that the cattle were being carried off & I went down to the landing at Cooks Ferry & I saw there Old man COOK, one of his daughters & a good many Yankee troops & the officer Harris I think his name & asked for the cattle. They were there crossed over the river & he wuld not let me have them. The officer told me if the cattle were back on my side of the river he would give them to me but as they wasn't he wouldn't do it. He gave me a written receipt for them. He said he would give them to me because I had a bad chance to live.
2d Ans. I did not see the cattle taken, but the officer said he had taken them & he promised to pay me ten dollars a head for them.
The officers name was Harris That was the name he signed to the paper. He was in command of the

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Yankee troops that were there
8 Ans The cattle were across the river (St. Johns) & driven away
10 Ans I don't know what the cattle were taken for what it was to butcher There were sixteen head of cattle that he took.
No part of the claim has been paid to my knowledge. I think I would know it if any part had been paid.
(Signed) Axey An Tounsend
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 10th day of Feb. A.D. 1872 C.L.Robinson, U.S. Comr.

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The said Witness Delany Townsend aged 57 years being duly sworn to tell the truth, the whole truth, relative to the above claim testified as follows:
To Interrog 1. I am the daughter of Jess Tounsend, the claimant. I resided with him during the war. I helped to work the farm.
To Int. 2. ---I was intimate with claimant during the war talked with him right smart.
To Int. 4. ---I talked with him about the war.
To Int. 5. ---I was in favor of the Union & he understood me to be so.
To Int. 6. ---I don't know all what he said but he was opposed to the war He was Union altogether. I think I know how he felt about it from the way he expressed it.
To Int. 7. --- I think his neighbors looked upon him as a loyal man. He is seventy some years old now He was an old man at the time of the war. He was afflicted & right blind.
To Int. 11. ---He never gave anything to help the confederate cause. I don't know that he was ever called upon to

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give anything to the union cause.
Delany Townsend (X) her mark
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 10th day of February A.D. 1872,(Signed) C.L. Robinson U .S. Comr.

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The Said Witness Charles F. Townsend of Duval County state of Florida, aged 40 years, being first duly sworn to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, relative to the above named claim, testified as follows:
Interrogatory 1. When did your acquaintance with Jesse Townsend the said claimant bein? Where did you then reside; how old were you, and what was your occupation?
Answer: With my earliest recollections I am his son.
Interrogatory 2. Was your acquaintance with said claimant intimate throughout the war, or an portion of it and if so, to what extent?
Answer: To a very little extent I was at his house twice during the war; once 4 or 5 days & the other time 5 or 6 weeks.
Interrogatory 3. How far from said claimant's residence did you reside during the war, and how often did you see him and under what circumstances?
Answer: About 200 miles. I live in Duval county & he in Orange county. Moved up with him in the fall of 1862 & stayed with him 5 or 6 week.
Interrogatory 4. Did you converse often, and if so, how often, with the claimant, about the war, its causes and progress?
Answer: I did not talk much with him about the war.
Interrogatory 5. Were you an adherent of the Union cause, and how did the claimant regard you as to you adhesion and sympathies?
Answer: I was & he regarded me as such sure he knew it.
Interrogatory 6. What did claimant say to you at any time during the war, concerning the war, its causes, or the Union cause; and what did he say at any time during the war, concerning his sympathy with and adherence to the cause and government of the United States? State the occasion and circumstances of any such conversations and who were present.
Answer: I had moved up into the woods with him to get out of the way of the service. after 6 or 8 weeks the Confederate conscript officer came along and picked me up. My father advised me not to go wanted me to lie out in the woods - said he could feed me during the whole war. The only thing I now remember his saying was that he wished the federals would take possession of the country & hold it =so he might get his supplies & the twar? of his talk was in favor of the Union all the while.

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I studied over the matter a good deal & finally concluded it would be better for me to go into the service the be dodging about the weather & anything that might come & so I went into the service.
Interrogatory 7. Did you know, during the war, what were the sympathies and opinions of the claimant, and if so, how did you know them?
Answer: I think I know his opinions & I fully believe he was for the Union.
Interrogatory 8. Did said claimant converse with you on these subjects alone, or in the presence of others, and if the latter, state who were present?
Answer: Generally about now present unless it were sure one of the family.
Interrogatory 9. Did you during, or at any time during the war, know the public reputation of the claimant as to loyalty? If yes, state what it was.
Answer: I don't know that I did. There were very few neighbors in that beat where he lived.
Interrogatory 10: (EMPTY)
Interrogatory 11: Did the claimant ever contribute any money or property to aid the Union cause, or the Union army, or did he ever give information to the officers of soldiers of the Union army, in aid of their movements and cause? If yea, state the same fully.
Answer: He was a very poor man the time they took the cattle was the only time that any of the Union troops or officers were at his place & then he let them have his cattle. I heard.
Interrogatory 12. Was the said claimant ever molested or threatened with injury to himself, his family or his property, on account of his Union sentiments? If yes, state the same fully.
Answer: As far as I know he was not. He was old and helpless & blind.

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Interrogatory 13. Did the said claimant ever contribute anything in anyway to aid the Confederate government, or its officers or soldiers, or ever own any Confederate bonds, or do anything to sustain the credit of the Confederate States? If yea, declare the same, fully and at large.
Answer: Not to my knowledge.
AS TO THE TAKING OF THE CATTLE
To 1st Interrogatory: I was not.
Do you know anything about the taking?
I do not except my father showed me the receipt that the Union officer let them have I said that he took the cattle & that that was the receipt for them.
I can't say whether it was the year of the surrender or the year after but it was not a great while after he gave me the receipt to bring to Jacksonville to try & collect pay for the cattle.
I did not get pay for them & kept the receipt several weeks. I gave it to Miles PRICE for him to collect if possible. On any oath I can't remember the name of the officer. I am pretty sertan it was a Colonel. (Signed)Charles F. Townsend
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 6th day of april A.D. 1872, C.L.Robinson, U.S. Comr.

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The said Witness Miles Price of Duval County, state of Florida age 55years being first duly sworn to tell the truth the whole truth & nothing but the truth relative to the above named claim, testified as follows:
To 1st Interrogatory
In 1847 or 8. I then lived at Gravel Hill. 7 1/2 miles from this place (Jacksonville) . Was about 30 years - was farming.
To 2d: He moved away from my neighborhood before the war commenced & settled near Lake Harvey. I saw him three or four times during the war at his home there.
To 3d: I saw him at his place in the woods over 200 miles south of here.
To 4th: While I was there I talked with him a good deal: The old man was a strong advocate of the Union. He was a strong Gen. Jackson man.—said if Old Jackson was in power then he would put the south back in thirty days. He was from South Carolina & had to leave there on account of

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of his opposition to nullification - he was a soldier of the war of 1812 - he hates South Carolina most heartily.
To 5th Int. Yes I was. He knew very well how I felt. He began to get blind very soon after he went up there. & became totally blind directly. Has been unable to walk a step for two years.
When I was up there I usually staid from two to three days to a week. Had a chance to converse with him thoroughly. I know he was thoroughly a union man & thoroughly against the war.
I think Col. Harris knew he was a Union Man or he wouldn't have given him a receipt for anything they took.
AS TO THE TAKING OF THE CATTLE WITNESS SAYS:
I was not present at the taking of the cattle. I knew nothing about it until after the close of the war. I was his agent here

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to attend to all his business in Jacksonville before the war & since the war.
Soon after the close of the war claimants son, Charles, gave me the receipt for the cattle taken by the Union forces - I think it was in '66 or '67 - Some time in the early part of '68 I gave it to Col. C.M. HAMILTON, who was at that time our member in Congress, for him to try & get pay for the cattle. This receipt was signed by Col. HARRIS & acknowledges the receipt of sixteen head of cattle as ever as I can recollect.
This is all I know about the claim or the receipt.
I don't think the old man (claimant) had received anything at all in payment for those cattle. I should be very likely to know it if it had.
I have no interest at all in this claim. (Signed) Miles Price
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 26th day of October A.D. 1872 C.L.
Robinson, U.S. Comr.

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C.M. Robinson being duly sworn says:
That during the political canvass in the fall of 1869 in this state I received of Miles PRICE a certificate or receipt for property, cattle I think. taken for the Army of the United States, signed by an officer by the name of Harris. This certificate was made out in the name of Miss Axcey Ann Townsend.
I either have lost or mislaid this certificate. & after much effort have been unable to find it. (Signed) C.M. Hamilton
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 21st day of May A.D. 1872 C.L. Robinson, U.S. Comr.

Mar 1873, No. 22292
CLAIM OF Jesse Townsend of Duval County, State of Florida $250-
TESTIMONY OF Jesse Townsend, Page 2
---------------------Axeyann Townsend, Page 6
---------------------Delany Townsend, Page 10
---------------------Chas. F. Townsend, Page 12
---------------------Miles PRICE, Page 15
---------------------Chas. M. Hamilton, Page 18
TAKEN BEFORE C.L. Robinson, Special Commissioner
(Signed) C.M. Hamilton
of Washington D.C. Attorneys.

No date, Jesse Townsend, claimant was brought to my office in an easy chair, not having been able to walk for two years. Has been blind about 12 years. His intellectual faculties, however were very clear. The reputation of Mr. Townsend (claimant) for truthfulness & honesty have always been most excellent. Also that of those of his family who have testified in this case.
I have known them personally for 13 years. The taking of his cattle by the military forces has always been looked upon by the Unionists here, & by many of the officers, as a very cruel thing situated as he was. It made the family very poor & caused the old man great suffering.
(Signed) C.L. Robinson, Spl. Comr. (Special Commissioner)4
That, as stated in the petition referred to, the property in question was taken from or furnished by Jesse Townsend of Duval County, in the State of Florida, for the use of a portion of the army of the United States, known as....
That by the following-named persons the claimant expects to prove that, from the beginning of hostilities against the united States to the end thereof, his sympathies were constantly with the cause of the United States; that he never, of his own free will and accord, did anything, or offered, or sought, or attempted to do anything, by word or deed, to injure said cause or retard its success, and that he was at all times
ready and willing, when called upon, or if called upon, to aid and assist the cause of the Union, or its supporters, so far as his means and power, and the circumstances of the case, permitted.
Axey Ann Townsend of Duval County
Delaney Townsend of Duval County
Chas. F. Townsend of Duval County
Miles Price of Duval County
Charles Hamilton (Scratched out)
That, as stated in the petition referred to, the property in question was taken from or furnished by Jesse Townsend of Duval County, in the State of Florida, for the use of a portion of the army of the United
States, known as....
That by the following-named persons the claimant expects to prove that, from the beginning of hostilities against the united States to the end thereof, his sympathies were constantly with the cause of the United States; that he never, of his own free will and accord, did anything, or offered, or sought, or attempted to do anything, by word or deed, to injure said cause or retard its success, and that he was at all times ready and willing, when called upon, or if called upon, to aid and assist the cause of the Union, or its supporters, so far as his means and power, and the circumstances of the case, permitted.
Axey Ann Townsend of Duval County
Delaney Townsend of Duval County
Chas. F. Townsend of Duval County
Miles Price of Duval County
Charles Hamilton (Scratched out)

No. 22292, The Claim of Jesse Townsend of Duval
16 Cattle..Amount Claimed $250...Amount Allowed $160...Amount Disallowed $96
REMARKS: This claimant is a very old man. Resided in Orange Co. Fla. - was & is entirely blind - The witnesses are chiefly members of his family - The proof shown. that the old man who had been a soldier in the war of 1812 & the Florida War, was in sympathy with the union cause - His opposition to Nullification drove him from South Carolina. He gave no aid to the Confederacy - His helpless condition, his poverty cattle & hogs constituting pretty much all his property & his isolated condition leave no opportunity to prove active loyalty - We think he was a Union man.
During the war, time not given the Federal Army took 16 cattle belonging to the claimant & gave him a receipt for them - The receipt has been lost & no payment made - . We recommend the payment of $160
(Signed) A O Aldis, Orange Ferris
I B Howell
Court of Claims

4 Dec 1876, COMMISSIONER OF CLAIMS, Act March 3d, 1871
No. 22292, 43.494, CLAIM of Jesse Townsend of Duval Co, State of Florida
SUUMARY REPORT, Amount Allowed, $160
SUMMITTED TO CONGRESS, December 4, 1876
Jesse Townsend Claimant, Jacksonville Fla.
Care of C.L. Robinson, Jacksonville, Fla.

15 Dec 1876, Jacksonville, Fla.
ROBINSON & WHITNEY, Attorneys and Counselors at Law, Rooms 1,2 and 4
Robinson Block, Bay St.
C.L. Robinson, U.S. Commissioner & J.W Whitney, Notary Public, Especial
Attention to Real Estate and Commercial Law
Chas. F. Benjamin, Sec. War Claims Com. Washington D.C.
Dear Sir;
Yours of the 6th to Jesse Townsend informing him that $160- had been awarded to him by the Board on Claim #22292.-was handed to us to answer by his son, Charles Townsend.
The old gentlemen is still alive over 80 years of age, totally blind & unable to walk a step, & is verified? (can't read)
Mr. Hamilton who undertook at the outset to act as Attorney in this case is dead, as you are probably aware. He did almost NOTHING in the case, except to LOSE THE OFFICERS RECEIPT FOR THE CATTLE, and they do not wish these funds paid to any representative of his, but that the draft be quit? to me/ very truly yours C.L. Robinson

24 Mar 1877, INQUIRY CARD, Third Auditor's Office
Mif I Cl. Division, Claim No. 43.494
Amount of claim $160.00
NATURE OF CLAIM (State whether for Quartermaster's Stores, C.S.
Supplies, Animals, & c.)
So. Claim 22292
NAME OF CLAIMANT Jesse Townsend
RESIDENCE OF CLAIMANT, (County and State.) Florida
Will the Commissioners of Claims inform this office who was recognized by them as the attorney of record while this claim was pending and when allowed then & oblige. (Signed) Horace Austin, Auditor by H.J.

Respectfully returned by the Commissioners of Claims with the information that the records of their office show that the case of Jesse Townsend of Duval Co. Fla. No. 222292 was filed before them by Atty C.M. Hamilton, now deceased. See papers for Chas. F. Benjamin evidence of service rendered. Clerk

27 Mar 1877, THE UNITED STATES to Jesse Townsend, D
For the amount allowed SUM by Act of Congress, Private No. 40 approved
March 3d, 1874, entitled "An Act making appropriations for the payment
of claims reported allowed by the Commissioners of Claims under the Act
of Congress of March 3, 1871:"
THE SUM OF $160.00
==========160.00
Payable to claimant in care of C.L. Robinson, Jacksonville, Fla.
Treasury Department, Second Comptroller's Office, March 30, 1877
(Signed) H Spalding, Clerk
Treasury Department, Third Auditor's Office, March 27, 1877

28 Mar 1877, Claim No. 43.494, Sett. No. 3074
Jesse Townsend of Fla. $160.00 Due HIM Out Of The Appropriation For
"CLAIMS OF LOYAL CITIZENS FOR SUPPLIES FURNISHED DURING THE REBELLION."
For amount allowed HIM by the Southern Claims Commission. REPORTED Mch
28, 1877, RETURNED March 30, 1877
Requisition No, 3527, dated Apr 4, 1877, transmitted for Warrant Apr 9,
1877. $160

*** End of Claim Transcription²

Jesse died about November 1879 in Duval County as attested by the probating of his estate. The Probate Court papers,² which were obtained by Kathi Vincent and transcribed by her, are shown below.

*** Start of Probate Papers

PROBATE:
Jesse Townsend
Nov 1879 2136-D

13 Nov 1879, State of Florida, County of Duval, No. 2136.
In Re: Jesse Townsend, deceased.
Note:--The following is all that has been found among the files or of
record.

Know all men by these presents that we the heirs and legatees of the estate of Jesse Townsend deceased, have bargained and agreed by these presence do bargain and agree that we will divide said Estate with out administration, and for this purpose have chosen three disinterested men to divide and set apart and appraise each ones shear of cattle belonging to said Estate and also one mare and colt to be appraised by said appraisers being the Horse property belonging to said estate, and that we have also chosen 2 men Lloyd Hall and Coner Roberts to Arbitrate a case betwixt one of the heirs Delany Townsend and the estate in a certain claim of cattle which she claimes seperate from the estate and those Arbitrators to investigate this matter and say whether these cattle belong to the estate ir (or) to the said Delany Townsend seperate and apart from the estate, in this we have all agreed to the decision made by these arbitrators, in this matter, and that we will abide by the same without any further measures being resorted to, also the portion parsel or d(e)istribution of cattle set apart by them for each of us, we will be satisfied with and sign a receipt for the same this 13 day of November 1879.
Names of heirs.
Charles F. Townsend
Delany (x her mark) Townsen
Marthy (x her mark) White
Thaddeus White
Joel W. Townsend, Delany Townsend Guardian
Charles W. Ellis, Charles F. Townsend Guardian

Signed in presence of us
Lawrence Turknett
William Richardson.
No file mark.

13 Nov 1879, I Charles W. Ellis of the state of Florida, Co. of Duvall,
grandson and heir of Jesse Townsend deceased acknowledge to have
Received of Charles F. Townsend acting as administrator of the estate of Jesse Townsend deceased the fowling (following) named property to wit,
Three head of stock Cattle and twelve dollars and forty nine cts.
(12.49) being in full of all dues of Personal property.
(signed) Charles W. Ellis

This 13 of Nov 1879. I Marthy White of the State of Florida Co. of
Duval Daughter and heir of Jessy Townsend deceased and wife of Thaddeus White acknowledge to have received of Charles F. Townsend acting as administrators of the estate of Jessy Townsend deceased the following property to wit.
Three head of stock cattle and twelve dollars and forty nine cents (12.49) being in full of all dues of personal property.
(signed) Marthy (x her mark) White
Thaddeus White

This 13th of Nov 1879. I Delany Townsend of the State of Florida Co. of
Duvall, Daughter and heir of Jessee Townsend deceased acknowledge to have Received of Charles F. Townsend acting administrator of the estate of Jesse Townsend deceased the foloing (following) named property to wit.
Three head of stock Cattle, and twelve dollars, and forty nine cents (12.49) being in full of all Dues of Personal property.
(signed) Delany (x her mark)

Thaddeus White
Joel (x his mark) W. Townsend,
Delany Townsend guardian Charles W. Ellis.
Charles F. Townsend guardian
signed in Presence of us
Lawrence Turknett
Wm. Richardson

*** End of Probate Papers^2.

Children of Jesse Townsend and Axey Flowers

(Dau.) Townsend b. c 1817
(Dau.) Townsend b. c 1819
John Townsend b. c 1820, d. c 1858
Delany Townsend+ b. c 1823, d. a 1880
Amy Ann Townsend b. c 1825
Allen Townsend b. c 1826, d. b 1879
Zilpha Townsend b. c 1828, d. b 1879
Charles Townsend+ b. 14 Oct 1830, d. 3 Mar 1913
Martha Townsend+ b. c 1834
Caroline Townsend+ b. c 1836, d. b 1870
Axey Ann Townsend b. c 1839, d. b 1879
Joel Townsend b. c 1841

Citations

[S137] Annie Florence Kinney, "DAR Application of Annie Florence Kinney."
[S641] Kathi Hall Vincent and Sylvia Irene Hall, "Jesse Townsend Family Records."