Person Page - 944

     Aldophus J. F. Townsend was born circa 1844 at McIntosh Co., Georgia.¹ He was the son of Elijah Townsend and Jemima (--?--).

     Alexander Baird Townsend was born on 17 July 1911 at Wauchula, DeSota Co., Florida.¹ He was the son of Asa Barton Townsend and Nancy Jane Altman. Alexander Baird Townsend married Carmen Lee Rimes on 12 November 1938. Alexander Baird Townsend died on 3 February 1965 at age 53.

     Alexander Jackson Townsend was born on 12 September 1894 at Alachua Co., Florida.¹ He was the son of Henry Franklin Townsend and Maria E. May. Alexander Jackson Townsend married Minnie E Thomas on 12 January 1919.¹ Alexander Jackson Townsend died on 4 October 1984 at age 90.

     Alford was born on 7 April 1896 at Lafayette Co., Florida. He married Hattie Louise Wilson, daughter of John William Wilson and Mary Susan Carroll, on 20 May 1915 at Lafayette Co., Florida.¹ Alford died on 22 January 1934 at Branford, Suwannee Co., Florida, at age 37.

     Alice R. Townsend was born circa 1878 at Alachua Co., Florida.¹ She was the daughter of Christopher Columbus Townsend and Mary Cornelia Tillman.

     Allen was born on 21 November 1801 at Marlboro Co., South Carolina. He was the son of John Townsend and Kiziah Hays. He married Sarah Briant, , on 30 May 1821.¹ Allen died on 10 May 1880 at Madison Co., Florida, at age 78.¹ His body was buried in May 1880 at Townsend Cemetery, Cherry Lake, Madison Co., Florida.
     
Biography of Allen Townsend:

Allen Townsend was born in Marlboro District, South Carolina, in the Hilson Bay area probably on his father's land along Big Reedy Creek near where Marlboro County borders present day Dillon County. He was the sixth child of thirteen known children of John Townsend and his wife, Kiziah Hays.

About 1824-26, Allen, with his wife and newborn son Israel, sought better opportunity and moved along with Allen's brothers Jesse, John, and David R. to Irwin County, Georgia, where they began farming. Irwin County was formed out of Creek Indian Lands acquired thru war and treaty by the Federal Government in 1814 and dispersed in the third Georgia Land lottery of 1820. Land in Georgia was rich and low in cost. That maybe the reason the Townsend’s left South Carolina and moved to Georgia. Lowndes County was formed on 23 Dec 1825 out of Irwin County. The four Townsend families appear in the 1830 Federal Census of Lowndes County. It is believed that the Townsend’s located to the 662 Military District of Lowndes County, Georgia. The early land records for Lowndes County were destroyed in courthouse fires thus making it difficult to trace the timing and location of these families. Allen and Sarah's family continued to increase in Georgia with the addition of Sarah, Joseph, Mary Ann and Minerva.

Between 1831 and 1835, Allen as well as his brothers moved a few miles south from Lowndes County, Georgia into Florida. Allen, John and David moved into Madison County, Florida, while Jesse remained in Georgia. Again the reason was likely the affordability of inexpensive land and opportunity. Florida had become a territory of the United States with a territorial governor, court system and legislative council following its acquisition by treaty from Spain in 1821. The territory was surveyed shortly thereafter and land sales at $1.25 per acre were held beginning in 1825. By 1830 land sales in North Florida were booming.

In December of 1835, the ambush and massacre of Army Major Francis Langhorne Dade and two companies of soldiers by Indians lead by Osceola near Tampa began the Second Seminole War. This war did not end until 1842 when the last bands of Indians and their chiefs were relocated to Arkansas via New Orleans. Allen Townsend as well as many other local residents joined the militia that was formed in Madison County to protect the local settlers from Indian raids. There were apparently no major battles in the area of Madison County Florida during the Second Seminole War.

Allen served as a private in the Second Seminole War. He enrolled 10 Dec 1835 for 78 days in Capt. Thomas Livingston's Company, Florida Mounted Militia, mustering out on 25 Feb 1836. He was drafted in Capt. William T. Townsend's Company, McCant's Battalion on 11 Mar 1836 at Charles Ferry for 4 months, being mustered out of service 14 Jul 1836 at Fort Dabny, Suwannee Old Town. He enrolled 28 Jul 1836 at San Pedro for 4 months in Capt. Townsend's Company, 13th Regiment 1st Brigade, Florida Mounted Militia, being mustered out on 30 Nov 1836. ["Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Soldiers Who Served in Organizations From the State of Florida During Florida Indian Wars" NARA Microfilm Publication M-1086, Roll 32, 33, 36 & 42.] Allen also served as a private in Capt. M. C. Livingston's Company Mounted Volunteers from 12 Feb 1838 to 26 Jul 1838. For this service he received 160 acres of bounty land in 1852. His application for that land is as follows:

Allen Townsend's Indian War Bounty Land Application

The following is a typewritten copy of Allen Townsend's application for bounty land warrant for his service in the Seminole Indian Wars. A copy of the original application follows the typewritten copy. [The original application and other papers are filed in the Indian War bounty land application files of 1850 under the name of Allen Townsend, Application 17829, at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Allen was awarded a warrant (No. 17829) for 160 acres of land on 28 May 1852. The file did not contain a description of the land or its location.]

Declaration For Surviving, Officer or Soldier

State of Florida
County of Madion ss.

      On this eleventh day of November, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty personally appeared before me, a Justice of Peace within the County and State aforesaid, Allen Townsend, aged forty nine years, a resident of Madison County in the State of Florida, who being duly sworn according to law declares that he is the identical Allen Townsend who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain M. C. Livingston in the 2nd Regiment of E. Florida Mounted Militia, commanded by Coln. Wm. T. Mills in the War with the Seminole Indians; that he volunteered at Camp Palmetto on or about the sixteenth day of June, A.D. 1837, for the term of Six Months, and continued in actual service in the said War, under this Command, for the term of Six Months, and was honorably discharged at Newmansville on the Eighteenth day of December, A. D. 1837, as will appear by the muster rolls of said Company he having lost his discharge.

      He furthermore declares that he is the identical Allen Townsend who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain M. C. Livingston in the first Regiment of Florida Mounted Volunteers, commanded by Coln. Dearborn in the War with the Seminole Indians; that he volunteered at San Pedro on or about the first day of March, A. D. 1838, for the term of Six Months, and continued in actual service in said War under this Command, for the term of Six Months, and was honorably discharge at Fort Jackson on or about the first of September, A.D. 1838, as will appear on the Muster roll of said company.

      He furthermore, declares that he is the identical Allen Townsend, who was private in the Company commanded by Captain Thomas Livingston in the first Regiment of Florida Volunteers, commanded by R. K. Call in the War with the Seminole Indians; that he Volunteered at San Pedro on or about the 10th day of December, A. D. 1835, for the term of three months, and continued in actual service in said War, under this Command, for the term of 2 mo. 15 days, and was honorably discharged at San Pedro on the twenty fifth day of Feby. A. D. 1836, as will appear by the Muster Rolls of Said Company.

(signed) Allen Townsend

And that the whole time he engaged to serve in said War was more than twelve months, and that he actually served more than nine months.

      He makes this Declaration for the purpose of obtaining the BOUNTY LAND to which he may be entitled, under the Act granting "Bounty Land to certain Officers and Soldiers who have been engaged in the Military Service of the United States," Passed September 28, 1850.


      Sworn and Subscribed before me the day and year above written. And I hereby Certify that I believe the said Allen Townsend to be the identical man who served as aforesaid, and that he is the age above stated.

(signed) John W. Anderson (Seal)
Justice of the Peace


The earliest land purchase record by Allen that we have found was on 17 Feb 1836, when he bought 240 acres of land in Madison County, Florida from David Platt for $1000 [Madison County Florida Deed Book A, page 128]. This land consisted of the southeast quarter and east half of the southwest quarter of Section 10, Township 2E - Range 9E (David Platt had bought this land on 22 December 1830 as cash entry 3814 from the government). On 2 Dec 1836, 11 months later, Allen and Sarah sold this land, as well as, the northeast quarter of Section 10 (160 acres) and 40 acres in Section 15 to Dennis Hankins for $3000 (Madison County Florida Deed Book A, page 95). No record has been found as to when Allen obtained the NE quarter of Section 10. The purchase of that section may have occurred long before 1836 and may represent the earliest purchase of land in Florida by Allen. The 40 acres in Section 15 was purchased by Allen from the government on 21 May 1836 for $50 as cash entry 5677. Between 1836 and 1840, Allen purchased from the government 11 tracts of land situated in Sections 14, 15, 22, and 23 in Township 2E - Range 9E. He also purchased land in this same area from private individuals including his brother David R.. These lands are located about 3 miles south of Cherry Lake. Land records indicate that as his children married he deeded land to them.

Allen Townsend's 1835 Certification of Voters

Allen was one of the voter inspectors certifying the election of Thomas Livingston as an elected member of the Legislative Council of Florida at an election held at Asa Townsend's for the 2nd precinct of Madison, County on Sunday, 12 Oct 1835. This is the earliest record of Allen Townsend in Florida found to date. That voters certification[Original Voters List, File for Madison County, 1835, in custody of The Florida State Archives, Tallahassee, Florida] is as follows:

A list of the voters taken at Townsendsin the second precint in the County of Madison who voted at the Election held thereat on Monday the 12th of October 1835 - For 2 members of the legislative Council of Florida.

for Thomas Livingston there were (35 marks) for Archibald McNeil there were (5 marks)
Voters Names 17 George E. Overstreet
Silas Overstreet 18 Richie Blair
John Townsend 19 Eli Triplet
John Rogers 20 Benjamin Townsend
Michael Hiatt 21 Asa Townsend
John Sever 22 John Clemments
Bennah Boatright 23 James Roberts
Lewis M. Deas 24 Mathew M. Deas
Solloman Zipperer 25 William Sever
Silvanus Bird 26 Lewis Norton
George Carlson 27 Paul Mott
D. B. Ewing 28 Abraham Mott, Jun.
Allen Townsend 29 Richard S. Mott
Elisha Barker 31 Jackson Blair
Hezekiah Waters, Sen. 32 Stephen Lamb
Allen Godwin 33 William Barrs
Edward Sikes 34 Cornelius English
continued
35 Hezekiah Waters 38 Andrew Fields
36 Leroy G. Leslie 39 Christopher Minchin
37 Benjamin Holland 40 Abraham Lamb

We the Subcribers inspectors of an election for a member of the Legislative Council of Florida held at Asa Townsend for the 2nd precinct of Madison County do hereby certify that at the said election held at the affore mentioned place on the 12 day of October 1835 Thomas Livingston & Archibald McNeil were candidates and that there were given for Livingston the number of 35 thirty five votes - and for McNeil there were given the number of 5 five votes.

Test Signed
D. B. Ewing Allen Townsend |
| Inspectors
Solomon Zipperer |


Allen and Sarah continued to raise their family after moving to Florida in the 1830's with the addition of Temperance, Benjamin Franklin, Jane Annie, Emeline Elisor, Victory Florida and Josephine. Allen and Sarah raised their family, prospered, and remained respected citizens of Madison County for about 50 years until their deaths.

Although many of Allen's neighbors owned slaves to work the plantations the census records on Allen show that he owned no slaves in 1840 or 1850. In the 1860 census he is shown as the owner of one 14-year-old female slave. This is very interesting as it shows he was not by any means wealthy and that he and his family must have worked quite hard farming the lands that he owned. It is also interesting to note that in the 1870's he deeded several acres of his land for the Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church. That church and its cemetery are located about one-half mile north of where Allen is buried.

Allen died testate 10 May 1880 at age 78. His will dated 26 May 1877 and proved 14 May 1880 is recorded in the Madison County, Florida Courthouse (Will Book B, pages 191-192). It reads as follows:

State of Florida County of Madison _________________In the name of God amen
I, Allen Townsend of the County and State above written being of Sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of this frail and transitory life do therefor make ordain publish and declare this to be my last will and testament. That is to say, that first after all my just debts, if there be any, are paid and discharged the residue of my Estate real and personal I give and bequeath and dispense of as follows to wit:
Item 1 I give to my beloved wife, Sarah Townsend, all my estate real and personal to have and to hold her life time.
Item 2 After that I give to Sarah Elizabeth Gramling, oldest daughter of Israel Townsend one feather bed. Item 3 After that it is my desire that the remainder, if there be any, shall be divided between my children so that all shall share alike; Israel Townsend, Sarah Lucas, Joseph Townsend, Mary Ann Caulk, Minerva Florid, Benj. Franklin Townsend, Jane A. Ponder, Florida V. Ponder, Josephine Duval.
Item 4 It is my will and desire that all notes and accounts found in my possession against any of my children shall be received by them as that much of their part of my estate. Item 5 I make, constitute and appoint Joseph Townsend to be executor of this my last will and testament and I hereby empower him with full powers to carry out this my last will and intention without any likely lien whatsoever. Signed and sealed in the presence of this 26 day of May AD 1877.

Thos. J. Blalock__________Signed Allen Townsend (L.S.)
J. Coffee
John Cowart
Thos. L. N. Rykard
Benj. B. Duval


It appears that Allen could read and write as indicated by his signing his will, deeds and other papers. Allen undoubtedly made some of the entries in his bible.

An obituary published on page 6, column 3 of "The Christian Index and South-Western Baptist" paper dated Thursday, June 24, 1880 states:

"TOWNSEND. - Died, at the residence of his son, Joseph Townsend, Madison county, Fla., on Monday, 10th of May, 1880, Mr. Allen Townsend, aged 78 years, 5 months and 19 days."

"The deceased was born in Marlborough district, S. C. in 1801: moved to Lowndes county, Ga., about 1826 thence to Madison county, Fla. He was one of the first settlers of this county: was here during and participated in the Seminole Indian wars of 1835. A man of sterling integrity, he was honored and respected by all who knew him. He leaves a wife, 7 children, 45 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and a host of friends to mourn his loss."
"No ill can reach him now; he rests above, Safe in the bosom of celestial love."


Allen is buried in the small Townsend Family cemetery on his old plantation next to his wife, Sarah, and his daughter, Josephine, and her husband [Cemetery located in SE corner of SW Quarter of Section 15, Township 2 North, Range 9 East in Madison County, Florida]. This cemetery is a lovely peaceful place visible from the road. It is a small open area surrounded by tall trees. He was proud of his place of birth as his gravestone simply reads:

ALLEN TOWNSEND
Born in Marlboro Co. S.C.
Nov. 21 1801
Died in Madison Co. Fla.
May 10, 1880


Allen Townsend Family Bibles

There are two Allen Townsend Family Bibles. The first, and oldest, is dated 1829. It is believed to be the original bible and is in the possession of Patricia Goodbread Smith of Edgewater, Florida. She is the great, great granddaughter of Allen Townsend thru his son, Joseph. A second bible with publication date of 1848 was last in the possession of Mrs. Blanche Duval Smith, a great grand daughter of Allen Townsend, who lived in Live Oak, Florida. It contains much of the same data as in the 1829 bible plus additional information.


Allen Townsend 1829 Original Bible

The following is a typewritten copy of the family records in the 1829 Allen Townsend Family Bible:

TITLE PAGE:
PUBLISHED BY J. EMORY AND B. WAUGH FOR THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, AT THE CONFERENCE OFFICE, 14 CROSBY STREET - J. Collo__, Printers - 1829

FAMILY RECORD
Allen Townsend and Sarah Townsend was maried May 30th 1821.
Israel Townsend was born November 21st 1823
Sarah Townsend was born July 8th 1825
Joseph Townsend was born March 19th 1827
Maryann Townsend was born June 15th 1829
Minurva Townsend was born June 9th 1831
Temperance Townsend was born th 27 June 1833
Benjamin Franklin Townsend was born th 11 d of May 1835
Jane Annie Townsend was born th 18 July 1837
Emeline Elisor Townsend was born 17 March 1840
Victory Florida Townsend was born November th 17 1842
Josephene Townsend was borne November th 30 1846
Minerva Townsend was married April th 29 1847.
Age of John Townsend Children
Saryan Townsend was born March 10th 1818
Noah Townsend was born May 9th 1825
Hariett Townsend was born March 5th 1827
Greenberry Townsend was born Feb 27 1829
Allen Townsend departed this life on the 10th May 1880 aged 78 yrs 5 mos 19 days.
Sarah Briant, Wife of Allen Townsend Departed this life on the 18th February 1885 being about 85 years old

Allen Townsend 1848 Second Bible

The following is a typewritten copy of the family records in the 1848 Allen Townsend Family Bible:

TITLE PAGE
Published by American Bible Society - New York 1848

FAMILY RECORD

BIRTHS
Israel Townsend was born November the 21 1823
Sarah Townsend was born July 8th 1825
Joseph Townsend was born March th 19, 1827
Maryann Townsend was born June 15th 1829
Manervir Townsend was born June 9th 1831
Temperance Townsend was born 27 June 1833
Benjamin Franklin TownsendTownsend;Benjamin Franklin was born May 11th 1835
Jane Alni Townsend was born July 18th 1837
Emeline Elisor Townsend was born March 17th 1840
Victorah Florida Townsend was born November 17th 1842
Josephene Townsend was born November 30th 1846.
DEATHS
On the 10th May 1880 Allen Townsend aged 79 yrs 5 mos. 19 days
Sallie L. Duval Died on The 25 Day of December 1882. Age 7 years 4 Months 17 days.
MARRIAGES
Allen Townsend and Sarah Townsend was married May 30th 1821
Francis Izabela Ponder Was Born Sept 26, 1858.

Allen's occupation: Farmer.

     Allen Townsend was born circa 1826 at Georgia.¹ He was the son of Jesse Townsend and Axey Flowers.¹ Allen Townsend died before 1879 at Duval Co., Florida.²

     Allen Townsend was born on 9 March 1894 at Lafayette Co., Florida.¹ He was the son of James Madison Townsend and Laura Simmons. Allen Townsend died on 3 March 1976 at Lafayette Co., Florida, at age 81.² He was buried at Walker Creek Bethel Bapt. Chr., Lafayette Co., Florida.²

     Allen was born on 9 September 1870 at Madison Co., Florida. He was the son of Benjamin Franklin Townsend and Martha M. E. Rykard. Allen died on 28 March 1950 at age 79.¹ His body was buried in March 1950 at Cherry Lake Church, Madison Co., Florida.
     
Biography of Allen T. Townsend:

Allen married at an old age and had no children. (Letter to Mrs. Jack C. Smith, 23 Aug 1968 from Pauline Townsend).

     Alvis Rennels Townsend was born on 6 July 1916 at Florida.¹ He was the son of Lewis Rennels Townsend and Georgia Euginia Simmons. Alvis Rennels Townsend married Louise Wilson on 10 April 1939 at Florida.¹ Alvis Rennels Townsend died on 10 April 1950 at age 33.