Person Page - 975

     John Hill Townsend was born on 18 March 1833 at Lowndes Co., Georgia.¹ He was the son of John "Jack" Townsend and Rachel Jane Hill. John Hill Townsend married Malinda Ellen Shepherd in 1853. John Hill Townsend married Sarah Jane Sikes on 4 March 1875.² John Hill Townsend married Lucinda Thompson on 26 December 1875 at Levy Co., Florida.³ John Hill Townsend married Mary F. Davis.⁴ John Hill Townsend died on 2 January 1903 at Alachua Co., Florida, at age 69.⁴ He was buried at Townsend Cemetery, nr. Rock Bluff Springs, Gilchrist Co., Florida.⁵
     
Biography of John Hill Townsend:

William Thomas Townsend wrote about his first hand recollections of several of the male children (his Uncle’s) of John Hill Townsend in his addendum⁴ to Marie Butler’s “The Townsends of Marlboro”. Those recollections are reproduced below:

“John Hill was the only, son and oldest child of Jack by his last wife, Rachel Hill. When he was some fourteen years of age a boat capsized with him and his father while turkey hunting on the Suwannee River near the mouth of the Santa Fe River, and the father was drowned. This tragedy occurred in 1847. Two or three days afterward the body was recovered from where it had drifted against the limbs of an over-hanging willow tree. It was interred on the bank at the spot, being a high bluff on the eastern side, since known as Jacks Bluff. It is said that later a daughter and her child were buried beside the father. The family kept the gravesite fenced for many years but only the approximate location is known at present.”

“Upon young John Hill then fell the burden of support for the younger, sisters and mother, but he was well endowed for it, having great determination, a keen mind and a strong stalwart body. Although deprived of formal education except possibly a few months schooling, he became a man of distinction, and accumulated considerable means. He came to possess lands, live stock, a country store, cotton gin, river ferry, etc., at an important crossing on the Suwannee River some ten miles directly south of Branford, Fla. The river runs east to west at this point and his property was on the south side. This was in that day a strategically located north-south crossing site some six miles northwest of present day Bell, Fla.”

“Apparently as a result of a deep solitary religious experience in the summer of 1863, he was converted and went on to become a pioneer Baptist minister. Depicting this experience, he composed a poem entitled, "From Nature To Grace", the opening lines of which were:
'Twas in 1863
While sitting under a tree
That I was shown
How far I had come”

“With this poem he was wont to close his long sermons, but he could quote it only in the heat of a sermon and then at such a pace no one could ever copy and preserve it in its entirety. My uncle Willie remembered, however, as a child, it signaled him to perk up as church would soon be over. He was also remembered for his customary long prayers before meals in his home. This says something as to the source of his rich spiritual and cultural legacies to posterity.     Mount Nebo Baptist Church, which he founded, Townsend school, ferry and cemetery, as well as an extra large successful family, bear ample testimony to that - twenty-three marriages by him and his children without divorce, most giving supreme allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ, and none being driven to alcohol.”
     
“John Hill and many of his large family are buried in Townsend Cemetery, near the Suwannee River in the proximity of his former holdings, also Jacks Bluff, the burial place of his father. His expressive epitaph reads as follows: "Although he sleeps, his memory doth linger, and cheering comfort to his mourners give." Visionary, stern, disciplined, compassionate and faithful are words descriptive of his life”

“As a prelude to statistics pertaining to the family of John Hill it seems fitting to attempt to flesh out some of their lives which happen to standout in my memory. There were the three oldest sons beginning with William Washington. "Wash" as he was wont to call himself, though the oldest, was always the smallest when growing up and even in adulthood. This being so he fel1 heir to more than his share of the "raps" common to a large family in pioneer days. He, early in life, fell heir to the task of ferryman, propelling by hand the barge, which accommodated the traffic crossing the river at that point. This barge was also the conveyance for store merchandise off-loaded by rail transportation at Branford some fifteen miles upstream. He told me that he began his career as ferryman which involved propelling this barge across the river and "poling" it upstream to Branford at the age of twelve.”

“John Hill and family, which in those days meant, for the most part, these three older sons cleared by hand approximately 100 acres of literally swamp hammock land along the banks of the river for use in their farming, which has long since reverted to wilderness. This was by far their most fertile soil, but also the most contrary. In addition to all the other imponderables farming is generally beset with, this soil was also subject to the ever threatening spring floods from the overflowing river.”

“It was a custom of the times in that era, after their crops were "laid by" and on into the early fall, for families to rig up their covered wagons and go, down to Horse Shoe on the gulf coast for a few days outing and also to get a load of salt water sea food such as oysters, scallops, and fat mullet heavy with roe. John Hill, Wash, Light and some of the younger sons and grand sons were down there on one of those excursions when the "big blow of 96" struck. Many tropical hurricanes have swept up the Suwannee valley over the years but none within the memory of the old timers of our generation ever left such lasting impressions on the minds of the people as this one. This disaster struck in the early A. M. of Tuesday, September 29, 1896. Aunt "Linnie" Thomas, grandpa's sister, near the end of her long life vividly recalled the utter destruction and desolation, which greeted her family upon returning to their home after the storm. An aged barber of mine in Jacksonville who was a child in the Lake City area at the time recounted how his family looked out from the breakfast table upon darkening skies to see a neighbor pass in a buggy behind a community famous black horse known as "Old Duster" stretched out at full speed and how they had only a few seconds to wait before being made fully aware of the reason for his flight.”

“John Hill and party by taking what cover they could on the highest ground and some climbing the sabel palm trees, etc., around, survived the first part of the storm's onslaught on Horse Shoe beach. Then during a lull they made it out a short distance to the home of a friend named Harris, father to Jake and Steve, where they weathered the remainder.”

“After its passage they faced the formidable task of chopping their way home by making their- own cross-country road through fences, fields, or wherever progress was possible so long as it pointed in a homeward direction. For the country side was laid waste and many virgin yellow pine forests were leveled to the ground. Towards the end of the week as they approached the Hatch Bend area on the west side of the river, near exhaustion, they decided to dispatch a messenger ahead on horseback to secure aid from neighboring families on the east side such as the "Dote" Weeks and the Alec Rehberg families. The irrepressible Walter was the first to volunteer to be the courier but was just as promptly turned down as being more valuable to the chopping crew. In those times of virtually no communications just imagine, if you can, the Townsend reunions which took place upon their safe arrival home. Of the many since, doubtless none have been more memorable.”

“Out of the crucible of his many youthful experiences "Wash" developed into a prudent manager who, despite his feistiness, had the knack of being able to get others to work with and for him to mutual advantage. He was blessed early in life to acquire a sizeable acreage of good farm and timber land which he managed profitably. He always seemed to have money which he with care kept in a little snap-shut pocket book.”

“In the prime of his life he took great delight in roaming the free range lands of the old friendly Suwannee River valley public domain, looking after his herds of live stock - cows and hogs - whose ways and habits he knew well though they were scattered up and down both sides of the river. In 1914 he sold 100 head of beef cattle and bought a Model T Ford, the first automobile in the community, which truly became a community car. The heads of two neighboring families were given free access to it and became much more familiar with its operation than he. One went on from his experience with it to become for years the most expert auto mechanic in the entire countryside.”

“"Wash" was in fact community minded in every sense of the word, and loved his fellow man. He loved his Lord supremely though and was zealous that He might have preeminence in his life. At age 65 he renewed his relationship with the Lord and in doing so forsook the church of his patriarchal father and most of his kin. Going over to the Church of God fellowship, he gave up his life-long tobacco chewing habit, and took his stand on divine healing. He was given grace to faithfully maintain both despite the ills common to the flesh in old age, which in his case included a broken hip.”

“His was a remarkable life and so was his death which he had premonition of, and welcomed just prior to his 87th birth date. His release came relatively easy, without appreciable pain, sickness, or suffering - only a slight elevation of temperature and loss of appetite. Shortly before the end, with mind and all faculties sharp and clear, including his hearing, which previously had been defective for more than 50 years, he rehearsed for his preacher grandson, Denton, some of the events of his early life, including his short courtship and marriage.”     

“Having previously gotten all of his business affairs in order, including sufficient money in hand to care for his burial expenses, he gave the family explicit instructions concerning the funeral.- One of his requests was that the funeral procession to the family burial grounds - Townsend Cemetery located by the long familiar Suwannee River - take the same route by their old farm home as had been taken some three months before with the body of his life companion. Another was that his body be placed on the right of hers thus corresponding with their relative positions as they stood for their marriage vows more than sixty-two years before. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. II Psalm 116: 15.”

“John Light, the second son, bore names most popular among Townsends for generations, and this he did with honor and distinction throughout life. Large of stature with long arms and big hands, he early in life became known as the champion fodder puller of the community. Handsome in appearance and sociable in disposition, he moved with ease in all circles. Although he never held public office other than Supervisor of the local Townsend public school, his counsel and support was highly valued by those who did. Through the lives of his beautiful and highly intelligent family of eleven children he did exercise wide influence upon the life of the community at large because he touched it at so many vital points.”

“Devoted as he was to his unusually gifted family, he was even more devoted, if possible, to his church family. He was nothing less than the father of Wayfair Primitive Baptist Church, donating the land on which the building stands as well as the timber from which the lumber for the first building came. He hauled the lumber from the neighborhood sawmill of Bill Hodge to the building site, and, except for the assistance of Uncle Natty Fowler, the first to be buried there, he practically erected the building alone.”

“He also found time from his family, civic, and church responsibilities to attend the first fifty annual Wayfair Cemetery workings. It was the custom in those days for most country Baptist churches to hold preaching services only on one Saturday and Sunday each month. He took it upon himself to attend Mount Nebo Baptist Church, the church of his father and most of his kin, on the Sunday preaching service day preceding the cemetery working for the express purpose of announcing the approaching working. On that special day it was well understood by all members what he was there for and at the appropriate time he, with obvious pleasure, would rise and make the announcement in his inimitable manner.”

“He was jovial by nature and a great favorite with children and young people. Lavonia, the only daughter of his older brother, "Wash", said when growing up she felt she loved him more than her own father. One of his greatest delights though was the fellowship of his church members and in that respect nothing seemed to be more enjoyable to him than the a cappella singing of the old familiar church songs such as Amazing Grace, during which he would make the welkin ring as he mingled his deep masculine voice in the "Amen" corner.”

“At the Sunday noon closing services of his church, it was his custom to move leisurely through the congregation, exchanging greetings, and often holy hugs and kisses, as he wended his way to the door. There, standing on the top step, his imposing figure facing the church yard on the side where most parked their vehicles, he would callout in his loud resounding voice, “I want company.” This was the signal for the formation of a procession to his house of hospitality down the road within sight of the church. His, oldest son, Thomas Lee, recalled that during one of their annual association meetings, by pressing into service the corn crib and cotton house, they provided sleeping accommodations for fifty-six persons. Another family member remembered they had a stack of bed quilts which reached from the hand scrubbed floor to the ceiling.

”Gathered to his fathers in his seventy-sixth year, his works follow after him to bless countless lives through the institutions which he gave himself to so freely in life.”

“Henry Franklin, the third son, as a young man became known for his energetic aggressiveness, always driving the fastest horses available. He had an outgoing personality and was socially popular, usually leading the singing of any church group he might be in attendance upon, regardless of the denomination. Gifted above his fellows, he excelled particularly in wood work and carpentry. He built many of the better homes in the community, the finest of which had white chimneys made of sawn limestone rock so plentiful in the area. He is credited with having constructed the wooden enclosure presently standing around some graves near the center of the Townsend Cemetery which has withstood so well the ravages of time. He lived out of the community of his fathers the greater portion of his adult life, therefore information regarding his accomplishments during this time is limited.”

“Of all the beautiful daughters, all good cooks and good mothers, who wrought so nobly, my mind turns to Henrietta, "Aunt Het", I guess because she had the largest family - fourteen children reared in the nurture and admonition of the Lord to adulthood who contracted fourteen marriages without a divorce. A son-in-law said of her that he supposed she was one of the best women that ever lived.”.

     John Hill Moses Townsend was born on 21 February 1891 at Alachua Co., Florida.¹ He was the son of John Light Townsend and Nancy Florence Sikes. John Hill Moses Townsend married Abigail Jones on 15 January 1913.¹ John Hill Moses Townsend died on 2 January 1929 at age 37.

     John was born on 30 August 1892 at Madison Co., Florida. He was the son of Israel Townsend and Johnnie A. Burnett. He married Ethel Agnes Williams, daughter of James Agustus Williams and Permelia A. McLeod, on 14 August 1910 at Madison Co., Florida.² John died on 4 April 1924 at Madison Co., Florida, at age 31. His body was buried in April 1924 at Hickory Grove Church, Madison Co., Florida.³
     John's occupation: Farmer.

     John Jackson Townsend was born on 6 March 1823 at Georgia.¹ He was the son of John "Jack" Townsend and Nancy Leigh. John Jackson Townsend died on 12 August 1841 at age 18.

     John Light Townsend was born on 9 September 1856 at Alachua Co., Florida.¹ He was the son of John Hill Townsend and Malinda Ellen Shepherd. John Light Townsend married Nancy Florence Sikes on 16 March 1876 at Alachua Co., Florida.² John Light Townsend married Emma Shirley (--?--) after 1928.² John Light Townsend died on 13 December 1932 at Gilchrist Co., Florida, at age 76.

     John Ritch Townsend was born on 11 November 1876.¹ He was the son of Josiah Elford Townsend and Susan Darby Ritch.

     John Robertson Townsend was born on 20 November 1850 at Marlboro Co., South Carolina.¹ He was the son of Light Townsend and Mary Ann Carloss. John Robertson Townsend married Catherine Jane "Kate" Rogers. John Robertson Townsend died on 18 February 1919 at Marlboro Co., South Carolina, at age 68.^2,3 He was buried at Drake Cemetery, Marlboro Co., South Carolina.⁴
     
Biography of John Robertson Townsend:

Marie Townsend Butler in her "The Townsends of Marlboro 1764-1980".⁵ that she prepared in 1980 included a very interesting biography that was primarily about her great grandfather Light Townsend (1798-1870). Most of that biography is presented below:

"John Robertson was a general merchant as well as a planter.' He had stores on the plantation and in Blenheim. Many stories have been handed down concerning his frequent buying trips to New York (by train) - quite a change from his father's trips twice a year to Fayetteville, where he purchased what they were not able to produce on the plantation and brought it home in a box built under the seat of a two wheel cart. Two of the items he bought on each trip were granulated sugar and coffee beans."⁵

"In the office of the plantation store, which John Rogers continued to operate for many years as a farm commissary, was a large safe with the name J. R. TOWNSEND in bold letters on the heavy door. This safe was moved to Fayetteville in the mid-1970's by Rogers Townsend and his nephew, John Walter Butler. Many interesting, old papers were found in the safe, among them some dating back to the days of Benedictus Townsend, the first of the family known to have come to Marlboro. The safe is being preserved at the Butler Wholesale Electric building in Fayetteville, and the Butler boys enjoy showing off old ledgers which belonged to their great grandfather, dated 1881 and 1889."⁵

"None of the children of John and Mary settled in Marlboro. John, who now owns Light's old house and a portion of his original plantation, lives next door to his only surviving son, Carlos, in Woodruff, SC. His second wife, Iola, died in 1974. Broken windows, creeping vines and crumbling brick are a sad monument to the good times and the sad times that encompassed four generations of Townsends and - more than a hundred years at Inwood Place."⁵

     John Rogers Townsend was born in November 1889 at Marlboro Co., South Carolina.¹ He was the son of John Robertson Townsend and Catherine Jane "Kate" Rogers. John Rogers Townsend married Mary Terrel Rogers on 20 December 1915.² John Rogers Townsend died on 26 October 1986 at South Carolina at age 96.² He was buried at Drake Cemetery, Marlboro Co., South Carolina.³

     John Rogers Townsend Jr. was born on 19 January 1917 at Marlboro Co., South Carolina.¹ He was the son of John Rogers Townsend and Mary Terrel Rogers.¹ John Rogers Townsend Jr. died on 20 December 1979 at age 62.¹

     John S. Townsend was born circa 1823 at Marlboro Co., South Carolina.¹ He was the son of Samuel Townsend and Edia (--?--).