Charles (Townsing) Townsend (bef. 1809 - 1870)

Born before 23 May 1809 in Curry Rivel, Somerset, England

Descendants

Died 12 May 1870 after age 60 in Victoria, Australia

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Biography

Charles (Townsing) Townsend was born in Somerset, England.

Charles (Townsing) Townsend was a Bounty Immigrant to Tasmania.

Charles Townsend, is conjectured to have been born in early 1809 in Curry Rivel, Somerset, England. He was baptized on 23 May 1809, in the Church of England parish of Curry Rivel, the son of Joseph and Sarah Townsend^[1]

Charles, a bachelor, aged 21 years and of the parish of Curry Rivel, married Ann French, a spinster aged about 18 years, of the parish of Middlezoy, by license on 27 Sep 1830^[2]. Charles made his mark on the Register, Ann signed it in her own hand. Witnesses included Samuel Townsend, conjectured to be Charles' older brother.

Charles and Ann had three children, all sons, between 1830 and 1834. Their first child was baptized on Christmas day, three months after their marriage. All three children were baptized in the parish church in Curry rivel by Henry Roberts, the vicar. Charles is described as a labourer in each entry.

1. William, baptized 25 Dec 1830^[3]
2. George, baptized 11 Mar 1832^[4]
3. Samuel, baptized 5 Oct 1834^[5]

Charles (aged 32 years), Ann and their three boys emigrated to the Colony of Van Diemen's Land arriving in Hobart town on 12 Oct 1841. They were passengers on the ship Tasmania which departed London and voyaged via Port Philip carrying bounty immigrants (22 adults and 16 children)^[6][7]. Charles' brother Henry (aged 29 years) also emigrated with his family (Henry, wife, and one boy and two girls (all aged 10 years or less)). The brothers were classed as 2nd class Farm servants, for whom a bounty of £66 and £47 were paid for Charles and Henry's families respectively^[8][9]

In June 1846, the family, Charles, Anne, Wm., George and Samuel left Hobart on the barque David along with about 80 other passengers and travelled to Port Phillip^[10]

Charles Townsing died in Victoria in 1870^[11]

Research Notes

Charles' parents were both unable to write (as shown in the register of their marriage) and variants of their surname included Towning and Townsing. Some genealogical sites transcribe Towning as Downing.

The Victorian BDM record of his death records his surname as Townsing.

Sources

1. ↑ "Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1531-1812," database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 60856 #1669321 : accessed 13 December 2023), Charles Townsend baptism on 23 May 1809, child of Joseph Townsend & Sarah Townsend, in Curry Rivel, Somerset, England; citing Somerset Heritage Service, Taunton, Somerset, England, Somerset Parish Records, 1538-1914, Reference Number D\p\cur.r/2/1/4.
2. ↑ "Somerset, England, Marriage Registers, Bonds and Allegations, 1754-1914," database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 60858 #4373604 : accessed 14 December 2023), Charles Townsend marriage to Ann French on 27 Sep 1830 in Middlezoy, Somerset, England; citing Somerset Heritage Service, Taunton, Somerset, England, Somerset Parish Records, 1538-1914, Reference Number D\P\m.zoy/2/1/5.
3. ↑ "Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1914," database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 60857 #1724655 : accessed 14 December 2023), William Townsend baptism on 25 Dec 1830, child of Charles Townsend & Anne Townsend, in Curry Rivel, Somerset, England; citing Somerset Heritage Service, Taunton, Somerset, England, Reference Number D\P\cur.r/2/1/5.
4. ↑ "Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1914," database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 60857 #1724713 : accessed 14 December 2023), George Townsend baptism on 11 Mar 1832, child of Charles Townsend & Anne Townsend, in Curry Rivel, Somerset, England; citing Somerset Heritage Service, Taunton, Somerset, England, Reference Number D\P\cur.r/2/1/5.
5. ↑ "Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1914," database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 60857 #1718207 : accessed 14 December 2023), Samuel Townsend baptism on 5 Oct 1834, child of Charles Townsend & Anne Townsend, in Curry Rivel, Somerset, England; citing Somerset Heritage Service, Taunton, Somerset, England, Reference Number D\P\cur.r/2/1/8.
6. ↑ Van Diemen's Land Chronicle (Hobart, Tas.) 15 Oct 1841 Page 2 SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE online in Trove NLA (accessed 14 Dec 2023)
7. ↑ The Courier (Hobart, Tas.) 15 Oct 1841 Page 2 SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE online in Trove NLA (accessed 14 Dec 2023)
8. ↑ Tasmania. Colonial Secretary's Office Port Officer's Reports of Ships' Arrivals at Hobart. (Tasmanian Archives series CSO92)' citing arrival Tasmania 12 Oct 1841, Barque Tasmania online image page 71 (accessed 14 Dec 2023)
9. ↑ Tasmania. Immigration Agents Department. Nominal Register of Arrivals under the Bounty System 05 May 1841-03 Nov 1843 (Tasmanian Archives series CB7/9) citing Return of Immigrants per Ship Tasmania arr. 12 Oct 1841 online Return of immigrants p. 21 (accessed 14 Dec 2023)
10. ↑ Tasmania. Customers Dept. Cargo, Passenger and Crew Lists, Manifests and associated Documents relating to Ships Clearance. (Tasmanian Archives series CUS36) 01 Jan 1833-31 Jan 1902, item CUS36-1-143, image 5-6 15 Jun 1846 List of the Crew & Passengers of David for Port Phillip page image online (accessed 14 Dec 2023)
11. ↑ Births Deaths and Marriages Victoria – Deaths database,
    (https://my.rio.bdm.vic.gov.au/efamily-history/: accessed 14 Dec 2023),
    TOWNSING, Charles; Mother's name: Sarah; Father's name: Joseph; Place of birth: SOME; Spouse at death: FRENCH, Ann; Age: 59; Reg. year: 1870; Reg. number: 4586/1870