Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Joseph TOWNSEND
Joanna Townsend was an intelligent, old fashioned English woman, with much energy of character and a very determined will of her own. Her son, Joseph, inherited a full share of his mothertenacity of purpose, - with a tinge of
quaint eccentricity, derived from his fatherside of the house; but, withal, he was a most actively useful, philanthropic and exemplary man. His family were all disciples of GEORGE FOX, and Joseph himself, was ever one of the straitest of the Sect: He was, however, endowed with a notable portion of human curiosity; in times and places of commotion, or great excitement, he was sure to be or thereabouts,' - a close observer of what was going on, and ready to lend a
hand, in case good offices were required. - When Gen. Howe, with the main body of the British army, crossed the east branch of the Brandywine, at Jefferis'Ford, Joseph Townsend - who resided near the Ford - was attracted by the formidable
novelty of the occasion, and followed the column by way of Strodemill, and over OsbornHeights, toward Birmingham Meeting House. He accompanied the troops until the crossed RadleyRun, at the foot of OsbornHill, and were ascending
the road toward Birmingham. The column there began to deploy into the fields, in order of battle, and promptly advanced to attack. Joseph's curiosity disposed him to proceed further, with them; but officers checked him, - and when the American bullets began to whistle about their ears, he wisely concluded
it was about time for him, as a noncombatant, to retrograde. He then retired to the eminence known as OsbornHeights - where he had a fine view of the battlefield, and got a sight of Gen. Howe and his Staff, who were there superintending the conflict. When the clatter of the engagement subsided, Joseph Townsend repaired the awful scene and aided in conveying the
wounded into the old Birmingham Meeting House. This was a service perfectly in union with his active humanity. The devastation perpetrated, during the passage of Howe's army through Chester county, induced Joseph Townsend to migrate to some more fortunate region; and at the close of the war, he
removed to the Falls of Gunpowder river, in Maryland, where he taught school for a year. In the fall of 1783, he removed to Baltimore, - and the then being small but growing, he soon engaged actively in promoting its advancement; was a member of the Board of Health, for several years, during the fatal
visitations of yellow fever; was active in procuring the Potters Field, and founding the Maryland Hospital, - both of which were required by the aforesaid fearful epidemic. In 1793, he was one of the founders of the 'Baltimore Equitable
Society for insuring Houses from loss by Fire,'an institution in which he was an efficient officer for the long period of 47 years. Various other positions of trust and responsibility, were also held by him, under both the City and the State
Governments. In the autumn of 1814, after the sack of Washington City, the British forces undertook to treat Baltimore in the same manner, - but their marauding career was bravely intercepted, at North Point. Joseph Townsend -
occupying a seat in the Gallery of FRIENDS'MEETING - of course, could not be expected to bear arms, on the occasion (though two of his sons were then on military duty in Pennsylvania) - yet, as soon as the conflict was ended, the
worthy old Quaker - then nearly three score years of age - was one of the foremost, and most efficient, in performing the offices of humanity, among the dead and dying, on the ensanguined battlefield. After a long life - illustrated by
the signal public spirit, and practical benevolence - he died at his adopted home, on the 30th of September, 1841, in the 86th year of his age. His remains repose in a GRANITE SARCOPHAGUS prepared in his lifetime, under his own direction.
Few men were so extensively known by his contemporaries, as JOSEPH TOWNSEND of BALTIMORE, and long will his memory be honored as one of the Fathers and Benefactors of the
Monumental city.
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