Person Page - 955

     David J. Townsend was born in November 1877 at Lafayette Co., Florida.¹ He was the son of Benjamin I. Townsend and Martha (--?--).

     David was born on 12 January 1808 at Marlboro Co., South Carolina.¹ He was the son of John Townsend and Kiziah Hays. He married Nancy Burnett, . David died on 14 April 1886 at Lafayette Co., Florida, at age 78. His body was buried in April 1886 at Maypop Cemetery, Lafayette Co., Florida.²
     David's occupation: Judge.
Biography of David R. Townsend:

David moved to Irwin County (now Lowndes) Georgia about 1824/25 with his brothers John, Allen, and Jesse. About 1838 he moved into Madison County Florida based on his having bought land there at that time. This land was just south of Cherry Lake, bordering land owned by his brother Benjamin, and very near land of his brother Allen. In the 1840 Census David is listed as owning 14 male and 26 female slaves. By the mid 1840's he likely moved to the area of Troy Springs in present day Lafayette County Florida, as he sold his holding near Cherry Lake to his brothers. He has not been found in the 1850 census, however he and his family is in the 1860 Census of Lafayette County. He served as a Probate Judge beginning in 1857 and Circuit Judge from 1868 to 1875 in Lafayette County. David is buried in Maypop Cemetery, Lafayette County, Florida along with his wife Nancy.

     Delaney Jane Townsend was born circa 1838 at Madison Co., Florida.¹ She was the daughter of John "Jack" Townsend and Rachel Jane Hill. Delaney Jane Townsend married James Henry Cathcart on 24 February 1855 at Alachua Co., Florida.²

     Delaney was born on 22 September 1815 at Marlboro Co., South Carolina.¹ She was the daughter of John Townsend and Kiziah Hays. She married Andrew Jackson Charles, , on 8 March 1841 at Madison Co., Florida.² Delaney Rosella Townsend died before 1860 at Madison Co., Florida.
     
Biography of Delaney Rosella Townsend:

Delaney Rosella and her family reportedly settled in Lafayette County Florida across the Suwannee River from Dowling Park, Suwannee County. There are several land sales to Andrew J. Charles in the 1830's and 1840's in that area. The family appears in the 1850 Census of Madison County, Florida. By 1860, the three children, Rupert, Fannie and Emma ages 14, 13 and 11 respectively are in the household of Melburn L. Odum, age 30, a carpenter, born South Carolina in New River County, Florida. Why these three children are in New River County without their parents in 1860 is unknown. New River County is a defunct county, originally containing the area of present day Baker, Bradford, and Union Counties. It was split into Baker and Bradford County in 1861. This suggests that something may have happened to Andrew J. Charles and his wife, Delaney R. Townsend Charles.

Additional information on this family is contained in the Daughters of American Revolution application of Annie Florence Kinney ¹ wherein she indicates:

"Delaney was the Aunt of Mr. John R. Townsend of Blenheim. Delaney Rosella Townsend married Andrew Jackson Charles. She lived in Dowling Park, Fla. and was buried in Madison Fla. The daughter's of Mrs. Delaney Rosella Townsend Charles were Emma and Fanny and she also had two sons. After the death of Andrew Jackson Charles, Mr. Light Townsend (father of John R. of Blenheim) went to Fla. and brought his two nieces back to Marlboro County with him and reared them in his home. They were Emma and Fanny. They went back to Fla. and married. Emma married McClellan and (blank space that appears to have not been filled in) Mrs. Fannie Rowell is a daughter and lives in Wellborn, Fla."

From the above we infer that both A. J. Charles and his wife, Delaney died by 1860, probably in Madison County, Florida. This may explain why they are not found in the 1860 or later census records and why the three children are found living without their parents in the 1860 New River County Census. We are aware of only one son rather than the two mentioned in the Kinney DAR application. He is found as Benjamin age 6 enumerated in the 1860 Madison County Census and then as Rupert age 14 enumerated in the 1860 New River County Census. We believe these to be the same male child and have him as listed below as Benjamin Rupert. If there is another male child he likely was born after 1850.

     Delany Townsend was born circa 1823 at Irwin Co., Georgia.² She was the daughter of Jesse Townsend and Axey Flowers. Delany Townsend died after 1880 at Duval Co., Florida.¹

     Delilah Townsend was born on 18 February 1764.¹ She was the daughter of Thomas Townsend and Anaphilda Watson.¹ Delilah Townsend married Henry L. Smith circa 1785 at Pittsylvania Co., Virginia. Delilah Townsend died before 9 August 1798 at Logan Co., Kentucky.¹

     Della Townsend was born in 1860 at Marlboro Co., South Carolina.¹ She was the daughter of Robert E. Townsend and R. A. (--?--).

     Didamia Townsend was born on 18 November 1765 at Virginia.¹ She was the daughter of Thomas Townsend and Anaphilda Watson.¹ Didamia Townsend married Jesse Webb circa 1775 at Pittsylvania Co., Virginia.¹

     Dillard Denton Townsend was born on 19 February 1911.¹ He was the son of William Curtis Townsend and Linney Althea Sheffield Scofield. Dillard Denton Townsend died on 13 May 1978 at age 67.¹

     Doctor Franklin Townsend was born circa 1874 at Marlboro Co., South Carolina.¹ He was the son of Franklin Townsend and Elizabeth "Bettie" (--?--). Doctor Franklin Townsend died on 2 September 1915 at Marlboro Co., South Carolina.² He was buried at Lester Cemetery, Lester Community, Marlboro Co., South Carolina.²