William Townes (1742 - aft. 1825)

Born 20 Apr 1742 in Amelia, Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Mary (Unknown) Townes — married 6 Dec 1799 in Virginia, United States

Descendants

Died after 14 May 1825 after age 83 in Cumberland, Cumberland, Virginia, United States

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Biography

Lieutenant William Townes served with Cumberland County Militia, Virginia Militia during the American Revolution.

William Townes is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A115528.

William Townes was a Virginia colonist.

William was born in 1742. He passed away in 1825.

Marriages

He married Obedience Allen before 1774.

He married Mary Woodson, widow of Stephen Woodson, on 06 Dec 1799.

Revolutionary Service

William was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Cumberland County Militia during the Revolutionary War. ^[1] He is listed under Ancestor Number A115528 with the Daughters of the American Revolution and twenty-six of his descendants have claimed membership under his service. ^[2] At least two applications have also been granted for membership in the Sons of the American Revolution. The application with SAR membership number 74448 described William Towne's service as, "Lt. William Townes, 2nd Lieut. in the Virginia Militia, Cumberland Co., Va served several months under General Washington, and later in South Carolina." ^[3]

Timeline

• 1774
  • 26 Sep - Witness to the Will of Samuel Allen, father-in-law.
• 1775
  • 18 Mar - Father passed away
  • 01 Dec - Indenture from John Chatten of Cumberland County to William Townes of Cumberland County conveying 22 acres of land on the west fork of Bear Creek in Cumberland County for the consideration of 11 pounds 5 shillings current money of Virginia. Signed in the presence of Henry Townes, Joseph Allen and Henry Coleman. Recorded in Book 5, Page 396.^[4]
• 1776
  • 05 Nov - Signed petition in Cumberland County as follows: “November 5, 1776 Inhabitants of Cumberland County complain to the Convention of the Colony of Virginia about the great length of their county. Many inhabitants must travel as much as 35 miles to reach the courthouse to attend to public business. This is particularly distressing to poor people who must take their horses from the plough and are detained from their labors for as much as three days to the great prejudice of their families. It is well known, the petitioners declare, that not more than two thirds of the freeholders have voted in any election yet due to the inconvenience of distance to the polls. They ask that the County of Cumberland be divided into two distinct counties agreeable to the parish lines. The residents are willing to pay the expense of such a division because the are convinced it will be beneficial to them.”
  • 25 Nov - Indicted by Grand Jury for concealing his apprentice one tithable in Littleton Parish in Cumberland County.
• 1780
  • 10 Nov - Signed petition in Cumberland County as follows: "November 10, 1780 Sundry inhabitants of Cumberland County petition the House of Delegates to reject a bill forbidding the use of depreciated currency in payment of debts. The substance of the bill is that no paper currency shall remain a tender and pass in payment of debts and contracts as heretofore but that all debts and all loan office tickets be paid in as much money as will purchase such a quantity of tobacco as the money would have purchased at the time the contract was made or the money lent."^[5]
• 1781
  • 23 Apr - Took oath to Cumberland Militia
• 1782
  • 02 Jan - Robert Wade of Halifax County made conveyance of 350 acres of land on the Staunton River in Cumberland County to William Townes of Cumberland County for consideration of 30,000 pounds current money of Virginia and two negroes. Conveyance was signed in the presence of Henry Townes, David Wall and William Pride.^[6]
  • 22 Jul - Suit against Richard Ridgway & Samuel Allen dfts filed in Cumberland County dismissed for failure to prosecute.^[7]
• 1785
  • 1785-011, Chancery Suit, Cumberland County: Suit was filed by Robert Easley, who was married to Elizabeth Allen, sister of Obedience. This suit related to William and Thomas Coleman, and his wife, Elizabeth having possession of slaves that had been given to Robert for his use when he married the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth, Unity. This suit requested that William return possession of the slaves to Robert Easley.^[8]
• 1786
  • 20 Sep - Bond executed in favor of Samuel Hopkins, Executor of the estate of Peartree Smith.
  • 30 Nov - Bond executed in favor of Samuel Hopkins, Executor of the estate of Peartree Smith.
• 1787
  • 20 Apr - Deed from William Townes of Halifax County to Richard Booker of Amelia County for 350 acres of land on Staunton River in Cumberland County for consideration of 400 pounds of current Virginia money.^[9]
• 1788
  • Apr - Chancery suit filed against Samuel Hopkins, Executor of the estate of Peartree Smith concerning bonds executed in 1786.^[10]
• 1790
  • 14 Aug - William Townes of Halifax County, Virginia purchased 400 acres of land in Greenville County, South Carolina on the branches of Saluda River from Isam Clayton for the sum of Two Hundred pounds sterling.^[11]
  • He appeared in the 1790 United States Federal Census, Greenville, SC, William Towns, Free white males under 16 years = 1, Free white males 16 years and over = 3, Free white females = 4, Slaves = 7. Listing immediate below is for Thomas Towns^[12]
• 1791
  • Jun - 1792-006, Chancery Suit, Halifax County: Suit was filed by Halcott Townes and Joseph Townes against William regarding the Will of their father. In the suit William is accused of taking slaves and property from his mother's possession from Virginia to South Carolina.^[13]
  • 07 Jul - Survey 28 acres of land in Greenville County on a small branch of the Saluda River, bounded by land laid out to Isham Clayton, Thomas Blassingame and Lemuel Alston. ^[14]
• 1792
  • 30 Aug - He and Obedience filed suit against the executors of the Estate of Samuel Allen in Cumberland County.^[15]
• 1794
  • 03 Jun - Purchased 125 acres of land on Brush Creek of Reedy River from John Hunt for the consideration of 10 pounds.^[16]
• 1795
  • 05 Jan - Purchased 204 acres of land on the waters of Saluda River from Shields Booker for consideration of 50 pounds sterling.^[17]
• 1796
  • 05 Jan - Purchased 50 acres of land on the waters of Saluda river including the plantation whereon Thomas Townes was living from Lemuel Alston for consideration of 20 pounds sterling.^[18]
  • 12 Nov - Sold 160 acres of land on a branch of the Saluda River to Samuel Townes for the sum of 100 pounds sterling. This deed was proven before John Blasingame by the oath of John MacBeth on 13 Jan 1797. It is possible that his wife, Obedience, was deceased at this time because there is nothing noted on the Deed that she relinquished her dower rights in the land.^[19]
• 1797
  • Feb - He was a party to a suit filed in Feb 1797 against Archer Allen, brother of Obedience. This suit was for full distribution of Martha Allen's portion of her husband, Samuel Allen's estate. There is no mention of Obedience in this suit, only William Townes. ^[20]
• 1799
  • 06 Dec - Pending marriage of William Townes of Greenville County, South Carolina and Mary Woodson of Cumberland County, Virginia, widow of Stephen Woodson, a marriage contract was made to secure slaves inherited by Mary Woodson from her late husband and prohibiting them from being removed from the State of Virginia. The slaves were secured to executors of the Estate of Stephen Woodson who were Stephen Woodson, Alexander Trent and Willis Wilson. Slaves named were Silva, Philip, Isaac, Brestow, Frank, William, Nelly and Agnis. The contract was signed in the presence of Mary England and Sally Bailie.^[21]
• 1803
  • 17 Mar - Promise dates 17 Mar 1803 from William Townes of Cumberland County to pay James Hudnal 69 pounds 10 shillings.^[22]
  • Jun - A bond from William Townes to James Hudnal is proved and ordered to be recorded. In Cumberland Court for June 1803.^[23]
• 1804
  • Written agreement between him and Stephen Woodson was proved by the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded in the Quarterly Session of Court for Cumberland County.^[24]
• 1805
  • 15 Nov - Sold 430 acres of land originally laid to Isam Clayton and James Henderson to Henry Parris for the consideration of $750. This Deed was also signed by Mary Townes and she declared on 11 Jan 1806 that she was freely and voluntarily relinquishing her right in dowery.^[25]
• 1809
  • 01 Dec - Resolution Appointing Commissioners to Approve Sheriffs and Clerks Securities for Greenville District was signed 1 Dec 1809 in favor of Samuel Townes and Elisha Green because William Townes and Robert McAfee had removed from the state.^[26]
• 1819
  • 19 Nov - He made a trust indenture to James Lanier to secure debt owed by him to Stephen T. Woodson, son of Mary. This indenture was made in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.^[27]
• 1821
  • 17 Mar - He and Mary made a trust indenture to William Beavers. At this time he and Mary were shown to have been of Pittsylvania County, Virginia.^[28]
• 1824
  • Suit filed against him, Mary Townes and William A. Townes by children of Stephen Woodson, Deceased.^[29]

Research Notes

• Incorrect Will: Information found in Genealogies of Virginia from the William and Mary College Quarterly. Vol. I. Adams-Clopton, in the Record of the Allen Family, "William Towne's will was made January 17, 1783, which was proved in Amelia County and names uncle John Townes, cousins Richard Clough, William Townes and Allen Townes." This reference to a will for William Townes is believed to be associated with William Townes. The Will is referenced as probated in 1783 at USGENWEB Archives and this William was not deceased at that time. ^[30]
• Any deeds recorded in Greenville County, South Carolina that do not include a link can be viewed through the Greenville County Register of Deeds Digital Archive at this website: https://www.greenvillecounty.org/apps/DirectoryListings/ROD_DirectoryListing/Default.aspx?q=ncx9xh+81UVkMtrgkAXGWPuQJixN9fvPvPyiq80hN7M=

Sources

• Source: S70 Text: Clark-Townes genealogy compiled by Margaret Coffey Hanson
• Source: S79 Type: Web Site Author: One World Tree Title: Henry Childers URL: ancestry.com
• http://www.next1000.com/family/EC/townes.wm1.html

1. ↑ "United States Rosters of Revolutionary War Soldiers and Sailors, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3Q-HF29-R?cc=2546162&wc=WD6Q-RM9%3A1588791495 : 24 January 2018), Virginia > image 793 of 886; citing various published state rosters, United States.
2. ↑ Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, https://services.dar.org/Public/DAR_Research/search_adb/?action=full&p_id=A115528, accessed 06 Oct 2020, "Record of William Townes", Ancestor #A115528
3. ↑ Ancestry.com. U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Application for Membership of Townes Malcom Harris, SAR Membership 74448
4. ↑ Deed Books of Cumberland County, Virginia, Book 5, Page 396, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4H-8VYX
5. ↑ Ancestry.com. Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002. Original data: The Virginia Genealogical Society. Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly and Magazine of Virginia Genealogy.
6. ↑ Halifax County, Virginia Deed Books, v. 12 - 12, 1780 - 1786, Book 12, Page 220, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSL6-49CY-M
7. ↑ Cumberland County Order Books, 1749 - 1904, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4H-QQRG
8. ↑ Library of Virginia, Virginia Memory, Index Number 1785-011, Cumberland Co, Robert Easley vs William Townes, https://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/full_case_detail.asp?CFN=049-1785-011#img
9. ↑ Halifax County, Virginia Deed Books, v. 14 - 15 1786 - 1793, Book 14, Page 78, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKJ-S367
10. ↑ Halifax Co. Chancery Causes, 1753 - 1913, William Townes vs EXR of Peartree Smith, Chancery Index Number 1789-018, Local Government Records Collection, Halifax County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. https://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/full_case_detail.asp?CFN=083-1789-018#img
11. ↑ Greenville County, South Carolina, Deed Books, Book B, Page 209-210
12. ↑ Series: M637; Roll: 11; Page: 83; Image: 68; Family History Library Film: 0568151
13. ↑ Virginia Memory Library of Virginia, Chancery Records Index, Index Number 1792-006, https://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=083-1792-006, accessed 05 Jan 2021
14. ↑ Greenville County, South Carolina, Land Grants and Surveys, Book D, Page 154
15. ↑ Cumberland Co. Chancery Causes, 1764 - 1912, William Townes & Wife vs Exrs of Samuel Allen, Chancery Index Number 1793-014, Local Government Records Collection, Cumberland County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. https://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=049-1793-014
16. ↑ Greenville County, South Carolina, Deed Books, Book C, Page 428-429
17. ↑ Greenville County, South Carolina, Deed Books, Book D, Page 191-192
18. ↑ Greenville County, South Carolina, Deed Books, Book D, Page 185
19. ↑ Greenville County, South Carolina, Deed Books, Book D, Page 317-318
20. ↑ Library of Virginia, Virginia Memory, Chancery Records Index, Index Number 1807-003, Samuel Allen etc. vs. Archer Allen, https://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/full_case_detail.asp?CFN=049-1807-003#img, accessed 12 Sep 2021
21. ↑ Deed Books of Cumberland County, Virginia, Book 8, Page 345, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4H-8QQ1-S?i=469&cat=406147
22. ↑ Deed Books Cumberland County, Virginia, Book 9, Page 215, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSL6-998Z-M?i=133&cat=406147
23. ↑ Cumberland County Order Books, 1749 - 1904, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSYD-X97M-F
24. ↑ Order books, 1749-1904, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSYD-X9QT-R
25. ↑ Greenville County, South Carolina, Deed Books, Book G2, Page 330
26. ↑ South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Archives ID: Series: S164018 Year: 1809 Item: 00023
27. ↑ Deed books, 1767-1901 (with wills 1767-1820) ; indexes to deeds, 1767-1934, Vol. 23, Page 208, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9TS-QSXC-1
28. ↑ Deed books, 1767-1901 (with wills 1767-1820) ; indexes to deeds, 1767-1934, Vol 24, Page 73, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9RB-8S5X-3
29. ↑ Cumberland Co. Chancery Causes, 1764 - 1912, Joseph R Woodson etc vs William Townes & wife etc, Chancery Index Number 1825-010, Local Government Records Collection, Cumberland County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.
30. ↑ http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/amelia/wills/wills1736-1800.txt

Acknowledgements

• WikiTree profile Townes-41 created through the import of Davidson_Fink.ged on Sep 26, 2011 by Shayne Davidson.