Townsend Carpenter

     Townsend was born on Sunday, 14 July 1776 in New York City, New York County, New York. He was the son of Lewis Carpenter and Elizabeth Townsend. Townsend had come to Cornwall, Orange County, New York with his mother after her second marriage. Townsend married Elizabeth Truesdell, daughter of Gamaliel Truesdale and Anne Whitney, on 14 July 1797 in Bellvale, Orange County, New York. They raised their family in Cornwall. In 1816, they removed to Chemung County, residing between the town of Elmira & Horseheads, with Townsend's two brothers and their families. They settled on a farm on what is now called Horseheads. Along with his farming Townsend was also a wheelwright. Townsend was a member of the Society of Friends. The 1800 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at New Windsor Township, Orange County, New York, the family of Townsend Carpenter [101:001].⁴ The 1810 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at New Windsor Township the family of Townsend Carpenter [31110:20111].⁵ The 1820 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Elmira Township, Tioga County, New York, the family of Townsend Carpenter [210201:10201].⁶ The 1830 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Elmira Township the family of Townsend Carpenter [00023101:00100001].⁷ The 1840 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Elmira Township the family of Townsend Carpenter [000021001:001010001].⁸ 31 August 1850, Townsend and his wife, Elizabeth, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Elmira Township. Enumerated in this household were Townsend Carpenter [73 New York][farmer], his wife, Elizabeth [70 New York], John [42 New York][farmer], & Margaret Bunont [15 New York].⁹ Townsend made his will on 6 December 1854.

I Townsend Carpenter of the town of Horseheads, in the county of Chemung and state of New York of the age of seventy seven years, an being of sound mind and memory, do make publish and declare this my last will & testament in manner following, that is to say: - - -I give and devise to my son, John T. Carpenter, all my personal estate of every name & nature and direct and will that he shall pay all my just debts and funeral expenses out of the same. - - - Second: Subject to the reservations and directions herein after made and given, I gibe and devise all my real estate of every name and nature whatsoever to my two grandchildren, Townsend Carpenter and Theodore Carpentr, children of my said son John T. Carpenter, to be equally divided between them, share and share alike when they two shall have arrived at the full age of twenty one years; and in case either of them shall die, before they shall have arrived at the full age of twenty one years, then and in that case to the survivor of them, when he shall have arrive at that age. And in the event of the death of both of my said grandchildren before they shall have arrived at the full age of twenty one u=years, then and in that case, all my said real estate is to go to my said son John T. Carpenter and his heirs. - - - Third: I give and devise to my said son John T, Carpenter the use, rents, issues and profits of all my said real estate until my said grand children Townsend Carpenter and Theodore Carpenter of the survivor of them shall arrive to the full age of twenty one years; and in the event ot the death of my said son, John T. Carpenter, before my said grandchildren Townsend Carpenter an Theodore Carpenter, shall have arrived at the full ag of Twenty one years, then and in that event I give and devise the residue and remainder of all the rents issues and profits of my said real estate to my said grand children Townsend Carpenter and Theodore Carpenter or the survivor of them. - - - And Lastly, I hereby appoint my said son John T. Carpenter my sole executor of this my last will and Testament, hereby revoking all former will by me made. - - - In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the sixth day of December in the year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred and fifty-four. - - - Townsend Carpenter - - - The above instrument consisting of this one half of a sheet, was at the thereof signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Townsend Carpenter as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us, who at his request and in his presence and in the presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto - - - Henry Giles of Horseheads, Chemung County & Cyrus Barlow of Horseheads , Chemung County.¹⁰

Townsend departed this life on Monday, 25 December 1854 in Horseheads at age 78 years, 5 months and 11 days. On 16 January 1855, the Surrogate Court of Chemung County, New York noted that Townsend Carpenter died 25 December 1854 and that his son. John T. Carpenter, was his executor. The court ordered Townsend’s heirs: Thomas Carpenter, Henry T. Carpenter, Ann Thorn, John T. Carpenter, Elizabeth Beardsly, Townsend Carpenter & Noah Carpenter be present at court the first Monday of March [March 5].¹¹ The two witnesses signed sworn statements affirming the will, it accuracy and that it was signed in the presence of both witnesses. The Court found the will to be lawfully executed and proved it. Be it remembered that on the 5^th day of August 1855 before the Surrogate of Chemung County came John T. Carpenter the executor named in the paper propounded as the will of Townsend Carpenter late of Elmira deceased, and at the same time came Henry T Carpenter and Ann Thorn two or the heirs at law an next of kin of said deceased in opposition to said probate, and due proof having been made of the citation which on the 16^th day of January last was issued to said heirs and next of kin having been served according to statute. The said Surrogate thereupon proceeded to take the proofs offered of the execution of said Last Will & testament which said will proofs & executions are in the words and figures following. [a copy of the will followed]¹⁰