William Townes (abt. 1711 - 1775)

Born about 1711 in Appomattox River, Henrico County, Virginia

Descendants

Died 18 Mar 1775 at about age 64 in Charlotte County, Virginia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Alexander Grimaldi-Hendrix [send private message]

Biography

William Townes was a Virginia colonist.

Occupation

William was a cabinet maker and examples of his work are on display in the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, Winston-Salem, North Carolina and can be viewed at this link: https://mesda.org/item/collections/table/1825/

Marriage

• Ann "Nancy" Childers:
  • At the time of William's death he was married to Anne, as his will designates his "beloved wife Anne."
  • Some researcher have identified her as Ann "Nancy" Childers Womack, b. 1720 in VA d. S. C. with her father Henry Childers and her mother Lucretia.
  • A 4th great grandson of William Townes II has DNA matches with 10 individuals who show they are descendants of the children of Ann with Richard Womack. Research is currently ongoing to determine if this can be documented or if there is an alternate connection to this family.

Disputed Children

• William Townes II: It has been disputed that he is the son of William Townes and his wife, Ann. Inclusion of his daughter, Martha, in the chancery suit should be evidence that he was the son of William and Ann.
• John Townes: It has also been disputed that John is the son of William Townes and his wife, Ann. John is included in the section of his father's Will in the chancery suit below. To further support this, an excerpt from Virginia Magazine of History, attached to his profile, states: "John enters the army at an early age. Went to the North, was engaged in several battles. Returned South, was taken prisoner at Charlestown exchanged and returned to Philadelphia. Married and become clerk of the board of war." A letter written by John to James Madison is published in the National Archives. This letter supports his service and the fact that he left Virginia and moved to Philadelphia.
  • Part of the dispute regarding John is that John Townes is the son of William and Ann, not John Townes. Note should be taken that the Revolutionary service listed with SAR for both of them is exactly the same. The letter to James Madison should be sufficient to confirm which John this applies to.
  • With the realization of this confusion on the Revolutionary service, it is entirely possible that two William Townes lived in the same area, were of similar age and their children all had similar names. Thus a confusion began over which family was which.

Genealogy of the Mays Family

This account of the family of William Townes has been copied into many websites and used as a source for William and his children. Some of the information that has been copied into websites seems to have been altered slightly and no longer accurate. The original has been located and included on this profile and adds some clarification to this family. The following is how this account appeared on this profile: "Genealogy of the Mays Family by Samuel Edward Mays, 1929, p. 187. William Townes had brothers John, Thomas, Henry and Samuel. John and Samuel came over with James Townes. William Townes settled in Amelia Co., VA, on the Appomattox River. He was born in 1711, married Anne Wood or Childer", and died June, 1774. They had issue beside Elizabeth, who married Blackman Ligon: William; Thomas; Henry; John; Joseph; Balcott; Molly (Mary?) married William Pride; Nancy (Ann?) married Charles Jones; Lucretia Townes married 1st in Amelia Co., Va., March 20, 1769, Francis Robertson, and had issue: Mary; William; Louise; James; and possibly Anne. She married 2nd Tscharner de Graffenreid and had issue, Catherine Jenner who married William Calhoun. "

Probate

William Townes Probate Records include his Will and a Chancery Record filed regarding the probate of his Will.

Timeline

10 Jan 1735 Prince George, VA: Land Grant (Reel 14, p.526-7)
William TOWNS 348 A Prince George, on the south side of Appomattox River below the mouth of Woods Creek.^[1]

1736 Amelia, VA: Tax List
A List of the tythables that are of the inhabitants above Flatt Creek in Amelia County for the year 1736, Wm Towns, Gray Pantek [?] negroes in all 3. Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly, Number 1. Note: These taxes, or at least a portion of them, were levied on all males above the age of sixteen.

02 Aug 1736 Henrico, VA: William TOWNS witness to his brother's deed
John TOWNS of Amelia, to Wm PRIDE of Henrico, for L 50., 151 A in Henrico on both sides of Swift Creek, adj Henry Bowman etc. Wit: Jas Akin jr, Richd Wells, Wm TOWNS. Wife Ann relinq. Dower Rights^[2]

1737 Amelia, VA: Tax List
List of tithables in Amelia County, June 10th 1737 between Flatt and Deep Creek, Thomas Covington - London Sibeo Gabriell Ceasar belonging to Wm Towns} 5. Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly, Number 4

1738 Amelia, VA: Tax List
A List of Tithables in Amelia County above Flatt Creek, William Towns, Punch Gray negroes} 3 Ancestry.com. Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly, Volume 35, Number 1

28 April 1742 Amelia, VA: (Old Style, Page 199)
John Towns presented a petition from Sundry Inhabitants of this County praying a Bridge to be built over Appomattox river at William Towns.s plantation ordered the Same be Certified. Amelia County Road Orders 1735-1753

1 Mar 1743/44 Amelia, VA: Land Grant (Reel 20, p.19-20)
William TOWNS 748 A Amelia on the south side of Appomattox River and on both sides of Woods Creek. Beginning RANDOLPHs lower corner on the river... 348 part formerly granted to William TOWNS 10 Jan 1735, 400 A residue never granted ^[3]

1744 Amelia, VA: Tax List
Tithables between Deep & Flatt Creeks, Wm Townes Anica} 2, Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly, Volume 39, Number 4

21 June 1745 Amelia, VA: (O.S., Page 321)
William Townes is Appointed Surveior of Appomatox River from the Mouth of fighting Creek to the Mouth of flat Creek on the sd. River. Amelia County Road Orders 1735-1753

18 Jan 1749 Amelia, VA: (O.S., Page 189-190)
County Levy, To William Towns for labouring to Secure Jeneto bridge . 0..13..0 Amelia County Road Orders 1735-1753

22 Aug 1751 Amelia, VA: (O. S., Page 352)
William Towns is appointed Surveyor of the Road in the Room of John Towns. Amelia County Road Orders 1735-1753

10 Jun 1760 Lunenberg, VA: Land Grant (Reel 33-34, p.545)
Wlliam TOWNS 315 A Lunenburg, on the upper side of Little Roanoak River adjoining BOULDINs, Mack DANIELs^[4]

10 Feb 1768 Granville, NC: Deed (Bk H, p. 414)
Edmund TAYLOR of Mecklenburg VA; to William TOWNS of said county; parcel lying in Granville NC adj Jonathan PARKER; Wit: Thos GLASS, Ann B?, Charles KENNON^[5] This deed is believed to be associated with William because his 1770 Gazette Ad requests application of cabinet makers to be made in Mecklenburg, VA.

7 Jun 1770 Williamsburg, VA: Rind’s Virginia Gazette Ad
WANTED A JOURNEYMAN Cabinet Maker. Any person who is master of his business, and comes well recommended, shall be employed either by the month, or by the year, on application of the subscriber in Mecklenburg. 3 WILLIAM TOWNES

28 May 1772 Amelia, VA: Mortgage (Bk 11, p. 431-2)
William TOWNES of Amelia, to Francis ROBERTSON of Lunenburg; 150 A Amelia on one side of Appomattox R. adj John TABB and Edw BASS, also 8 slaves to be sold in payment of debt owed by TOWNES. Wit: John PRIDE^[6]

18 Mar 1775 Charlotte, VA: Will (Bk 1, p.164)
Will of William Townes; sons: Thomas, John, Henry, Joseph, Halcut, William; daus: Eliizabeth, Mary, Lucretia; mentions Charles Jones; Ex. my sons Francis Robertson, William Townes, Thomas Townes, my wife Anne Townes; wit. P. Carrington, James Bouldin. Recorded: 4 Aug. 1777.

1792 Halifax, VA: Chancery (LVA 1792-006)^[7]
Suit was brought in the Chancery Court of Halifax by brothers Halcoat Townes and Joseph Townes against their brother, William Townes II. The Will of William Townes stated, "The remainder of my whole estate then to my beloved wife during her natural life, and after her decease to be equally divided between my son William, my daughter Mary, my daughter Lucretia, my son John, my son Henry, my son Joseph, my son Halcoat." The suit alleges that a short time after the death of their father, about 1775, his widow Anne Townes, took possession of the property and it was alleged that William had then taken it out of the state of Virginia. There is a reference in the Chancery Suit of distribution made to Thomas Townes and to Daughter Martha. The reference to Daughter Martha appears to be for a distribution made on behalf of William Townes II. Property included in this account were personal items and the following slaves: Peter; Jude; Bracher; Stepney; Anacha; Edith; Nancy; Lucinda; Harry; and, George. This does confirm that at the time of William's death he was married to Anne. This suit did not include the full Will that was signed by William and the full Will could contain additional information regarding his children.

Research Notes

1. Information provided by Towne Family Association confirms that neither William Townes or his father are descendants of William Towne and Joanna Blessing who were of Yarmouth England and immigrated to Salem, Massachusetts and any relationship has been disproven by a professional researcher and DNA tests.

2. NOTE: Jan. 11, 2021 - An effort is underway to clarify the family members who are generally attributed as descendants or siblings of James Townes (or Towns), who is believed to have been born c 1660 and emigrated from England to Virginia and settled in the area of Amelia, Henrico and New Kent counties.

This includes the William Townes on this profile, who is believed to be a son of James and the father of six children.

While there is much documentation of later generations of the Townes family of the southern states, there is less clarity about their origins and the first three generations in America. Some of this is due to errors (or contradictions) that have caused confusion with the Town/Towne,Towns family who emigrated to New England and those (primarily Townes) who emigrated to Virginia, and/or the Carolinas. (Some stayed in their original states and others subsequently migrated to other states in the south and west.)

Part of it is also to clarify and distinguish the large number of Williams, James and Johns in the early family. Also to clarify spouses of members of the family.

3. "Genealogy of the Mays Family by Samuel Edward Mays, 1929, p. 187. William Townes had brothers John, Thomas, Henry and Samuel. John and Samuel came over with James Townes. William Townes settled in Amelia Co., VA, on the Appomattox River. He was born in 1711, married Anne Wood or Childer", and died June, 1774. They had issue beside Elizabeth, who married Blackman Ligon: William; Thomas; Henry; John; Joseph; Balcott; Molly (Mary?) married William Pride; Nancy (Ann?) married Charles Jones; Lucretia Townes married 1st in Amelia Co., Va., March 20, 1769, Francis Robertson, and had issue: Mary; William; Louise; James; and possibly Anne. She married 2nd Tscharner de Graffenreid and had issue, Catherine Jenner who married William Calhoun. "

Differentiating Lands of William Townes:

Lands Associated with William Towns and Rebecca Clarke of New Kent:

NOTE: many of the deeds for this William explicitly list him as being of New Kent

Waterways: James River, Buckskin, Saylor, and Smacks Creeks

Family names: Booker, Osborn, Lee, Atwood, Easley, Clarke, Downs

Lands Associated William & Ann Childers Townes:

Waterways: South Appomattox River, Swift Crk

Family names: Pride, Kennon, Bolling, Watkins

The early Amelia Tax List^[8] has been consolidated for Towns and may be viewed within Towns/Townes Sources. It is very difficult to differentiate between the individuals and locations listed. It is believed that both William and his brother John Towns were living in the area above Flatt Creek by 1736. However, William of New Kent is listed at this location in 1748.

The following land records were removed from the biography of this profile because it is believed they are associated with William Towns and Rebecca Clarke of New Kent. Many of the land records associated with this William explicitly list his residence as New Kent. The following have been flagged due to the waterways and family surnames that occur in his records. Please see his profile.

1736

• Listed in Land Patent Book as follows: Thomas HAMLIN, 200a, Amelia Co., lower side of Buckskin Cr. of Deep Cr., adj. William Towns (p. 273) 17 Mar 1736. Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly, Number 1, sourced below. NOTE: 1733 Land Grant: William Townes of New Kent ... on north fork of Buckskin Crk.

1741

• List of Tithes below Flatt and Nibbs Creek taken by Edwd Booker 1741: Wm Townes list, Jam Attwood Garrill, Sipio Symond Sam Richmond, Hanaball Henry Jolley Herinlus Gloster Charles Portmouth, Plimouth Venus} 14. Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly, Volume 36, Number 3. NOTE: 1742 deed: Wm Towns of New Kent to James Attwood...buckskin crk. 1742 deed: Wm Towns of New Kent to Edward Booker...Saylors crk.

• William Towns, 400a, (p. 228) Amelia Co., both sides little Saylors Cr. (p. 229). 15 Mar 1741. Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly, Number 1, sourced below.

1742

• Amelia County Tithables, 1742, List of Tithes taken Below Flatt and Nibbs Creeks by Edward Booker,
  • Wm Townes Anica} 2 (Residence)
  • Wm Townes list Jam’s Atwood Gloster, Gabrel, Tobe, Simon Richman Arbeless, Sipio, Charles Plymouth, Portemouth, Venus Tom Sharper} 14 (non-residence, 1 white person and 13 slaves) Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly, Volume 38, Number 2. Note: These lists provide information regarding residence and non-residence and list both whites and slaves. Example given: “Coll” Harrison’s list Benj Hawkins Ralph, Will, Titus, Landen Belinda Phillis, Litt Belinda} 8 indicates that colonel is not a resident, the eight tithables and seven slaves.

1743

• List of Tithables below Deep Creek 1743, Capt Jones list 1743, Wm Towns Quart: 6 Elias Downs Cesar Pompy London Sam Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly, Number 3. NOTE: 1747 deed: Wm Towns of New Kent to Elias Downs...little Saylors crk.

1746

• Listed in Land Patent Book as follows: GEORGE FOSTER, 163a, Amelia Co., on S. side of Appomattox R., upper side of Sailoer's cr. (p588) between the lines of William Towns, Richard Booker and Thomas Osbourn, at Osbourn's old lower outward c., Booker's line, Towns's line, (p. 589) 12 Jan 1746. Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly, Number 1, sourced below. NOTE: Although this record does list south Appomattox, the grandson of William Townes of New Kent was married to Rachel Booker. Saylors creek is mentioned often in his land records.

Slaves

Slaves in William's possession at the time of death were: Peter, Jude, Bracher, Stepney, Anacha, Edith, Nancy, Lucinda, Harry, George

Sources

1. ↑ https://lva.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01LVA_INST/altrmk/alma990008335150205756
2. ↑ Family Search Film# 007645095 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89P6-SL51?i=495&cat=397197
3. ↑ https://lva.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01LVA_INST/altrmk/alma990008335110205756
4. ↑ Townes, William. Land Grant 10 June 1760. N.p., 1760. Print., https://lva.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01LVA_INST/altrmk/alma990008334970205756
5. ↑ Family Search Film# 007513622, Screen# 439 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-8983-F3D6?i=438&cat=360398
6. ↑ Family Search Film# 008141099, Screen# 571 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-Q98X-7?i=570&cat=282005
7. ↑ Library of Virginia Archives https://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=083-1792-006
8. ↑ Amelia County, Virginia tax lists: an every-name index https://wwwp.familysearch.org/search/catalog/649921?availability=Family%20History%20Library

See also:

• Source: S67 Author: Odie B. Faulk Periodical: Louis W. Duncan; A full Service Banker Publication: Western Heritage Books, Inc.
• Source: S73 http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=gene-pool&h=5128286&ti=0&indiv=try
• http://www.next1000.com/family/EC/townes.wm1.html
• Foley, Louise Pledge Heath. Early Virginia Families Along the James River: Their Deep Roots and Tangled Branches. Vol. I (Henrico County - Goochland County, Virginia). Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2003. p 69, 90]
• Ancestry.com. Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly, Volume 35, Number 1; Volume 36, Number 3; Volume 38, Number 2; Volume 39, Number 4; [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.
• https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67104179/william-townes-cabinet-maker/?xid=637, Newspapers.com - Rind's Virginia Gazette - 7 Jun 1770 - Page 3, Rind’s Virginia Gazette, Williamsburg, Virginia, 7 Jun 1770
• Charlotte County Will Book 1, The Southside Virginian, July 1987, Volume 5, Page 102
• 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
• About Towne, Volume XVII, No. 2 June 1997, Towne Family Association
• www.virginiadot.org/vtrc/main/online_reports/pdf/02-r14.pdf, Amelia County Road Orders 1735-1753, Virginia Transportation Research Council, Charlottesville, Virginia, April 2002, VTRC 02-R14
• https://archive.org/details/genealogyofmaysf00mays/page/188/mode/1upGenealogy of the Mays Family by Samuel Edward Mays, 1929, p. 187. In a footnote for the Ligon family of South Carolina, Ligon. p493
• Mays, Samuel Edward, Genealogy of the Mays Family and Related families to 1929 inclusive, Plant City, Florida: Plant City Enterprise, 1929, https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/716879-genealogy-of-the-mays-family-and-related-families-to-1929-inclusive?viewer=1&offset=0
• Charlotte County Will Book No. 1 (1765-1791) https://georgiapioneers.com/restricted/VA/probate/charlotte/wmtownes.pdf
• http://www.next1000.com/family/EC/townes.wm1.html
• Library of Virginia Archives https://lva-virginia.libguides.com/land-grants