Henry Townsend IV

     Henry was born circa 1704 in the Town of Oyster Bay, Queens County, Long Island, New York. He was the son of Henry Townsend III and Eliphal Wright. Henry married Elizabeth Titus, daughter of Peter Titus and Martha Jackson, circa 1724 in the Town of Oyster Bay, Queens County, Long Island, New York. Henry IV later moved to Chester, Orange County, New York. His wife, Elizabeth was known as a beautiful Quakeress. Henry made his will on 27 May 1757 at New York City, New York County, New York.

Know all men by these Presents that I Henry Townsend of Oyster bay in Queens County on Nassau Island joyner being this twenty seventh day of May in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand seven hundred and fifty seven very sick and weak of Body but my memory Quick and good and my understanding perfect and sound for which I bless God that give it thereof and knowing that it is appointed once for all men to Dye and that our Lives here are Transitory and uncertain do make ordain and appoint this and no other to be my last will and Testament in manner and form following [that is to say] principally and first of all I give and Recommend my Soul to God that gave it me in hopes that through the merits and by the Death of Jesus Christ my only Savoor and Redeemer to Inherit Salvation and my body I commit to the Earth to be buried in a Christian like manner at the Discretion of my Executors hereafter named and appointed and as touching such Worldly Estate wherewith it has pleased God to bestow upon and bless me with all in any manner of ways whatsoever in this Life I Will and Devise and Dispose of in the following manner [that is to say] first of all I do order all my Just Debts which I do owe Either in Right of conscience to any manner of Person or Persons whatsoever shall be Satisfied contented and paid out of my Estate by my Executors in some reasonable time after my Decease - - - Item I will and bequeath unto my well beloved Wife Elizabeth Townsend my negro Woman named Jane and my Riding Chair and Horse and two of my best Cows and the Equal third part of all my Household goods to her own Disposal. - - - Item I will and bequeath unto my wellbeloved Wife Elizabeth Townsend all that of my Houses and Barn and Homestead where I now Live Bounded on the East by the Mill pond & Stream & on the south by the Highway that Leads across the wash say an Westward by the Highway that leads from the top of the Mill Hill to Mather Pryors an northwardly by the Road that leads up the Mill Hill all which is said Houses and Lands I give unto my wife for her to have the use and benefit of for and during the full term that she shall remain my Widow and no longer all which above aid legacies and Privileges given her shall be taken and deemed as her right of Dowery to all Intents and Purposes whatsoever. - - - Item I give and bequeath unto my son Petr Townsend my Gray Horse - - - Item I give and bequeath unto my son Nicolas Townsend my bay horse. - - - Item I give and bequeath unto my three sons Peter and Nicolas and Absolum Townsend all my Joyners Tools - - - Item I give and bequeath unto my four sons Henry Peter Nicolas and Absalom Townsend all my Joyner Stuff such as boards and other Timber to be equally divided amongst them. - - - Item I bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth Townsend my negro gairl named Pegge - - - Item I give and bequeath unto my two Daughters Phebe an Elizabeth Townsend the two thirds of my household Furniture - - - Item I do order that my three eldest sons namely Henry Peter an Nicholas Townsend to make my Daughter Martha MacCoun one cupboard & one round table and for each of my Daughters Phebe Townsend and Elizabeth Townsend one case of Drawers one cupboard an two tables and I do order that all the remaining part of my Estate both Real an Personal to be sold and the money arising there from after my Debts are all paid to be equally divided amongst my four sons Henry Peter Nicolas and Absolam Townsend. - - -Item I Will and bequeath unto my four sons above named all my houses and Homestead aforesaid at the marriage o Death of their mother or which of those Terms may first happen to be equally divided amongst them and further my will is that in case any of my sons should Dye under age or without Lawfull Issue that then his Part shall be Equally divided amongst my surviving Sons - - - Lastly I do hereby constitute ordain authorize and appoint my loving wife Executrix and my sons Henry Townsend Peter Townsend and Nicholas Townsend my executors of this my last will and Testament and I do hereby Authorize and fully Impower my Executors to Sell and Dispose my said Estate and that their Deed or Deeds from under their hands and seals of them or the major part of them shall be as Lawfull and Authentic to the Purchaser or Purchasers to all intents and purposes whatsoever as if the conveyance ha been made by me in my life time giving them full power and authority to perform all and Every article clause and thing herein contained For he Executing this my last Will or the major part of them disallowing all other Wills and bequeath heretofor made allowing and confirming this and to other to be my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the day and date above written - - - Henry Townsend - - - Witnesses Wiliam Moyles John Townsend Jacob Townsend.³

His will was probated on 7 January 1761.