Reverend Edward Synge (The Apostle) Townsend (601)
| Date of Birth: | 18 Jan 1741 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death: | 2 Jan 1819 |
| Generation: | 4th |
| Residence: | Several Parishes in Muskerry, Co Cork |
| Father: | Reverend Horatio Townsend [600] |
| Mother: | Hungerford, Mary |
| Spouse: |
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| Issue: | |
| See Also: | Table VI ; Scrapbook ; Lineage ; Ancestors' Tree ; Descendents' Tree |
Notes for Reverend Edward Synge Townsend (The Apostle)
Married 2 October 1766. Elizabeth Townsend [144] (1) was the fourth daughter of Horatio Townsend [130] of Bridgemount, Macroom.
Edward studied at Trinity College, Dublin and the TCD Graduation List shows that he qualified BA in Spring 1761. John Townsend [214] was an undergraduate at TCD at the same time.
Edward's ministry is complicated as he held many livings simultaneously during the latter part of his life. He was licensed on 11 July 1765 to the Curacy of Donoughmore; on 6 July 1768 to that of Macroom; on 18 July 1772 to that of Inniscarra and on 23 April 1773 to that of Clondrohid. From 1784-89 and again from 1793-99 he was Rector Ballyvourney and from 1789-93 Rector of Whitechurch. Edward was also Rector of Clondrohid 1793-1808 (2) and from 1808 to 1819 Vicar of Clonmeen and Roskeen. His other benefices included 1788-89 Vicar Nathlash and Kildorrery and 1789-99 Priest Killenemer. See page 142/143 of Brady's Parochial and Clerical Records Volume 2 for a summary of Edward's ministry.
Edward was succeeded in the living of Ballyvourney and Killenemer by his son Richard Townsend [612] whilst his youngest son, Philip Townsend [613] was his Curate at Clonmeen and Roskeen.
Known in the family as "The Apostle" on account of his benevolent looks and flowing white locks Edward always carried a shepherd's crook. However, an entry dated 1793 in Brady's Clerical and Parochial Records, Cork, Cloyne and Ross casts doubt on his health - "ES Townsend has cure of souls, and resides in summer but passes the winter at Bath in England, being very infirm. The duties during his absence are performed by his Curate, Rev John Orpen."
In Protestant Militia and Volunteers 1778 Edward is shown as the chaplain to the Muskerry Volunteers. "MUSKERRY VOLUNTEERS. Enrolled 1779. Force: 1 company. Uniform: blue, edged buff; buff waistcoat and breeches. Officers in 1782 - Captain Com., Thomas Barter; Captain, William Ashe; Lieutenant, John Barter; Ensign, Matthew Menheer; Chaplain, Edward Synge Townsend; Surgeon, Richard Grey, M.D.; Adjutant, John Butler." Whilst not shown in 'An Officer of the Long Parliament' this must refer to Edward whose many parishes lay in Muskerry.
According to his great grandson, Edward Mansel Townshend [630] (3), Edward retired to Bath before moving to Dennis's Quay, Kinsale, where he lived out his final years. He and Elizabeth were joined there in March 1816 by his son Horatio Townsend [607] and his family. Also living there at the same time was Edward's sister, Helena Townsend [619], and her husband, George Digby Daunt. Edward was buried at the parish church in Kinsale on 5 January 1819.
Edward's son, Horatio Townsend and his grandsons Edward Townsend [620] and John Townsend [622] all married cousins, as he had done, and there is evidence in correspondence (4) between 1854 and 1930 that a number of his descendants suffered mental instability.
(1) Elizabeth was born in 1742 and died at Kinsale on 12 April 1831. She possibly brought the Bridgemount estate into this branch of the family though in ‘An Officer of the Long Parliament' it states that Bridgemount was sold by Elizabeth's brother, Cornelius Townsend [139]. Edward's son Horatio Townsend [607] certainly owned the property.
(2) Edward was succeeded in the living at Clondrohid by Rev Robert Kirchoffer who got involved, along with one of Edward's sons, in the infamous trial of the Clondrohid Whiteboys in 1822.
(3) Extract from 'A Protestant Auto-Biography by the Rev E Mansel Townshend'
(4) Llanvapley Papers.
'An Officer of the Long Parliament' Ch XII p.268.