Reverend Richard Townsend (310)
| Date of Birth: | ca 1758 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death: | 13 Aug 1814 |
| Generation: | 5th |
| Residence: | Fanlobbus, Dunmanway & Clover Hill, near Skibbereen |
| Father: | John Townsend [303] |
| Mother: | Reddish, Elizabeth |
| Spouse: |
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| Issue: | |
| See Also: | Table III ; Scrapbook ; Lineage ; Ancestors' Tree ; Descendents' Tree |
Notes for Reverend Richard Townsend
Richard was known in the family as 'Long Dick'
Married 1784. Dorothea Robinson was the daughter of Rev Thomas Robinson (1) of Coronea (2), near Skibbereen, Co Cork and Vicar of Abbeystrewry (3), Diocese of Ross, by his wife Dorothea Townsend [404]. Dorothea's brother, Rev William Robinson, married Mary Townsend [314] and their daughter, Dorothea, married Edward Mansel Townsend [406]. Dorothea's sister, Helena, married Samuel Philip Townsend [6B00].
Richard studied at Trinity College, Dublin, and the TCD Graduation List records that he qualified BA in Spring 1778. This reference to Richard Townsend in the graduation lists could also apply to Richard Townsend [315] or Richard Townsend [6A00].
Richard was ordained Deacon on 1 November 1778 at Cork and Priest on 21 September 1781 at Cloyne. See page 258 of Brady's Parochial and Clerical Records Volume 3. He must have been living in or around Fanlobbus, Dunmanway, Co Cork in 1785 as his son Thomas [319] was baptized there.
This extract from a letter dated Ballydahab 7 February 1802 probably refers to Richard - there is no other 'Rev Rich. Townsend' who matches the criteria. – "On Thursday last about one o clock, P.M., a melancholy scene occurred in the harbour of Scull, near this place. The brig Boa Uniue, Capt. Bernado Jose Dios, from St. Michaels, having on board 769 chests of China Oranges, was driven from her anchorage by a violent gale, on the rocks of Castle Island; the country people from different quarters immediately collected in large bodies, and proceeded to plunder the cargo, and cut up the vessel, the whole of which was effected and carried off in a few hours. It is painful to add, that the benevolent exertions of the Rev. Mr. Townsend, Rev. Mr. Tisdal, and other neighbouring gentlemen, could not prevent these unfeeling wretches from carrying their wicked purpose into execution, the Cargo being so distributed round the Country, that only a very inconsiderable part (which is shipping to Cork) has been rescued, notwithstanding the most diligent search of the Magistrates. – The Crew were providentially saved, and hospitably entertained by the Rev. Rich. Townsend."
A record in the National Archives (4) shows that Richard was a beneficiary of the will of George Harrison of Balls Park, Hertford.
Richard died at Clover Hill, near Skibbereen, Co Cork.
(1) The entry for Robinson (West Carbery) in the National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway Connacht and Munster Landed Estates Database records "George Robinson of Coronea, grandson of the Reverend William Robinson, rector of Abbeystrewery, was the owner of almost 1000 acres in county Cork in the 1870s. He was one of the principal lessors in the parish of Dromdaleague at the time of Griffith's Valuation."
(2) The family lived at Coronea for some time. 'Thom's Irish Almanac Co Cork 1862' records "Robinson, George, Coronea, Skibbereen" as a magistrate. The entry for Coronea House in the National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway Connacht and Munster Landed Estates Database records "Thomas Clerke was leasing this property from George Robinson at the time of Griffith's Valuation, when it was valued at £17. Lewis refers to Coronea House occupied by Mrs. Marmion in 1837. The residence of Rev. William Robinson in 1814 and in the 1770s it was the seat of a Townsend family. It is no longer extant." It is unclear which member of the family owned Coronea House - possibly Rev Richard Townsend [310]. Page 217 of 'An Officer of the Long Parliament' describes Coronea as "a nice house near Skibbereen."
(3) Strangely he is not listed on the roll of Rectors for Abbeystrewry.
(4) Scroll down to entry ACC/1360/646 and 655.
For other Robinson connections see Mary Townsend [314], Dorothea Townsend [404], Edward Mansel Townsend [406], Samuel Philip Townsend [6B00].
For other connections with Abbeystrewry see Mary Townsend [314], Richard Boyle Townsend [332], Horatio Thomas Townsend [334], Dorothea Townsend [404], Charlotte Frances Townsend [422], Horatio Townsend [5D00], Horace Webb Townsend [634].