John Townsend

Events

Date of Birth: unknown.

Place of Birth: unknown.

Date of Burial: 12 January 1599.

Place of Burial: Lighthorne, Warwickshire.

The burial is recorded in the parish register.

Relationships

Father: unknown.

Mother: unknown.

She may have been the Joan Townsend buried in Lighthorne in 1552.

Brother: Allan Townsend (buried 14 April 1561 in Lighthorne).

Allan mentions John and his other siblings in his will.

Sister: Joan Townsend married John Randall 4 December 1548 in Lighthorne.

possible Sister: Agnes (or Jane?) Townsend. An Agnes, wife of William Green was buried in Lighthorne in 1549. Allan Townend’s will seems to imply that William Green's daughters were his nieces. However, an Agnes Townsend married Thomas Mason in 1543, who, along with Allan’s brother-in-law John Randall, was an appraiser in Allan’s probate inventory. Also, the will of Richard Townsend mentions a Jane Green.

Brother: Thomas Townsend. Thomas was living in Wartwood, Northamptonshire (which place I have not identified) in 1576.

Brother: Richard Townsend (died 1576) married Joan. Richard was living in Warwick at the time of his death.

Brother: William Townsend. William was living in Williamscot, Oxfordshire in 1576.

Brother: Peter Townsend. Peter's daughter Jane was baptized in Bishop's Tachbrook in 1548.

Cousin: John Whitteridge of Barford. Richard Townsend mentions his cousin John in his will.

probable Brother or Cousin: Raphe Townsend (buried 22 August 1549 in Lighthorne) married Agnes.

Spouse: Eleanor.

Eleanor’s name is recorded in her burial record.

Children:

(Complete source citations for facts about the children on this page are currently outside of the scope of this project.)

Allan Townsend (baptized 16 January 1546 in Lighthorne - buried 22 May 1547 in Lighthorne).

Elizabeth Townsend (baptized 28 May 1547 in Lighthorne - buried 29 June 1547 in Lighthorne).

Joan Townsend (baptized 28 June 1548 in Lighthorne) married Edmund Locke 10 October 1575 in Lighthorne.

Margaret Townsend (baptized 8 March 1551 - buried 27 November 1551 in Lighthorne).

Ellen Townsend (baptized 1553 in Lighthorne).

Alice Townsend (buried 20 June 1622 in Lighthorne) married John Harber 6 October 1578 in Lighthorne.

Agnes Townsend (baptized 29 July 1558 in Lighthorne - buried 14 January 1602 in Lighthorne).

Margery Townsend (baptized 23 March 1561 - buried 28 July 1569 in Lighthorne).

John Townsend (baptized 6 November 1564 in Lighthorne - buried 26 March 1612 in Lighthorne) married Dorothy Chapman 6 June 1586.

Richard Townsend (baptized 10 October 1567 in Lighthorne - buried 25 December 1626 in Lighthorne).

Evidence

from the Lighthorne parish register:

Unusually, the years in the register start on January 1st instead of on Lady Day.

Christenings

[1546] 16. die Januarij Alanus filius Joannis Townisende

[1547] 28. die. Maij Elizabeta. filia Joannis Townysende.

[1548] 28. die Julij Joanna flia Joannis Townisende.

[1551] 8. die marcij Margarita filia Joannis Townysende

[1553] 10. die Elena Townisende

There are no baptisms recorded in the register between 1554 and 1558. This presumably indicates a lost sheet of paper, as the register up until 1600 appears to have been copied.

[1558] 29. die Julij Agneta Townsiend

[1561] 23. die marcij Margeria filia Joannis Twonisende

[1564] 6. die novembris Joannes filius Joannis Twonisende

[1567] 10. die Octobris Richardus filius Jo. Twonisendi

[1588] 14. die Junij Anna filia Joannis Townisende Junioris.

[1590] 9. die Aprilis Thomas filius Jo. Townisend

[1592] 2. die maij Alicia filia Joannis Twoinsend

[1594] 18. die Aprilis Gulihelmus filius Joannis Twonisend

[1597] 30. die Januarij Aelisia filia Joannis Twonisend

Weddings

A.^o 1543. die. 13. Octobris Thomas Mason et Agneta Twonisend

[1548] 4. die novembris Euisdem anni Joannes Randle et Joanna Townisend.

A.^o 1575. die. 10. octobris Edmundis Locke et Joanna Twonisend

A.^o 1578. die. 6. octobris Jo Harber et Aelicia Townisend

A.^o 1586. die. 6 Junij Joannes Townisend et Dorithe Chapma[n]

Buryings

[1547] 22. die maij Alannis Twonsend

[1547] 29. die Junij Elyzabeta Twonsend

[1549] 20. die maij Agneta uxor Guilihelmi Grenne.

[1549] 22. die augusti Rodolphus Twonsend.

[1551] 27. die novembris Margarita filia Jo. Twonsend

[1552] 22. die Junij Joanna Townisende vidua

[1561] 14. die Aprilis Alanis Twonsend

[1569] 28. die Julij Margeria filia Joannis Twonsende.

[1592] 4. die octobris Elenora uxor Jo. Townsend.

[1594] 5. die marcij Alicia flilia Joannis Townsend

[1599] 12. die Januarij Joannes Twonsende Senior

[1602] 14^o Januarij : Agneta Townsende ./.

[1612] John Townsende buryed the 26. martij ./.

[1622] Alice Harbar buryed the xx: day of June :/.

[1626] Richarde Townsende Buryed the 25. day of December: 1626 :/.

The will of Allan Townsend:

In the name of god amen The x^th daye of Aprill in the yere of o^r lord god m v^c lxj I Allane Townsend of lighthorne in the countie of warwyk syke & dyseasd in this my naturall bodie but whole & perfect of mynd & remembrance thanks be unto Almyghtie god ordeyne & make this my last wyll & testament in mann[er] & forme as hereafter ensuithe / First I bequeathe my soulle unto Almightie god trusting by the merytes of my Savyour Jesus Christ to be partaker of his heavenly Kyngdome And my bodye I wyll to be buryed within the Church Yard of lighthorne aforesayd Itm I geve to the Church of Worcester vijd Itm I geve to the use of the Church of lightthorn one land of Wheat lying in the furlong called Cattesbrayn / and one land of Barley upon flaxs pytts / Item I geve & bequathe unto Ellen Townsend daughter of John Townsend xl.^s to be put into the custodie of Richard Townsend my Brother / Also I geve unto the three children of John Townsend (that is) Joane / Alis / & Agnes / to ev[er]y of thos xx^s / Item I geve unto Joane Randall wyfe to John Randall of lightthorn aforesayde xx^s / And to ev[er]y of her iij childerne (that is) Agnes / John / Elenor / & Allane to ev[er]y on thos xx^s / Itm I bequeathe unto Marye Bynnell of Wythrropp x^s / Also I bequeathe unto Joane greene / Elizabeth grene / & Agness grene Daughters of Wyllyam grene late deceased to ev[er]y of them xx^s / Itm I geve unto Peter Townsend my brother vij ^li xiij ^s iiijd / Itm I bequeathe unto Wyllyam Townsend my brother liij^s iiij^d / Itm I geve unto John my brother an yron boromb [...] if Thomas my brother have not my housse / Itm I geve unto Jane grene a Cow / Itm I geve unto Wyllia[m] Tybboo [Tykkoo?] of Chadshunt x^s / Itm I geve unto John Mason Sonne to Allane Mason iiijd / Itm I bequeath unto v. poore [C...tyers] of lightthorn (that is) John Taylor / Wyllyam Arnold / Margaret Bradshaw / Richard Furne [?] / & Thomas Harryes to ev[er]y one of thos halfe a Fryk of Wheat / The rest of my goodes by me here unbequeathed bothe moveable & unmoveable I geve & bequeathe unto Thomas Townsend my brother whome I ordayne & mak my full & only exectuor of this my last wyll & testament / that he dyschargyng my funerall / deabts / & legacyes herein expressed maye & shall gave & enyoye the same to do therewith as god shall put him in mynd after my departure / Also I desyer my two brethern Richard Townsend & John to be my ov[er]seers of this my last wyll that hit maye be performed accordyng to the sence throgh / and for their paynes to have eyther of them xx^s / In wytnes whereof I have caused thes to be present and to bear record / John Vexnam pewsly of Lighthorn / John Knight / Thomas Mason / John Randall with others the daye & yere above wrytten.

[Proved 20 January 1561]

The will of Richard Townsend:

In the name of god amen the Seaventh daye of August in the yeare of our Lorde god 1576 and in the yeare of the Reigne of our moast gracious Sovereigne lady Elizabeth the Quenes Maiestie that nowe is the eightenth I Richarde Townsende of Longbridge within the Parrishe of Seyncte Maries of the Towne of Warwick within the Diocese of Worcester being sick in Bodye but perfecte in mynde and remembrance lawde and prayse be gyven unto almightie god therfore do ordeine and make this my presente last will and Testamente in manner and forme followinge that is to witte Firste and prinicallie I gyve and bequeathe my Sowle unto almightie god and Jhus Christe his sonne my onelie Saviour and Redemer trustinge through the merites of his Bitter passion to be one of the electe Nomber that shalbe saved And my bodie to be buried within the parrisshe Church yarde of St Maries in Warwick beforesaid Item I gyve and bequeathe to Richard Willmore the yonger my Godsonne and sonne to Richarde Wilmore of Sherborne my sonne in Lawe all that my Thatchid howse or Tenemete with the backside and gardene therunto now appertayninge and belonginge sictuate lyinge and beinge within the Suburbes of the towne of Warwick in a strete there and wherein one George Mabanck dyd late dwell & inhabite To have and to holde the saide howse, or Ten’te and other the premisses with thappurtenances to the saide Richarde Wilimore the yonger and to the heires of the bodie of the saide Richarde lawfullie begotten or to be begotten And yf the saide Richard Wilmore the yonger happin to dye withoute heires of his saide bodye lawfullie begotten Then I will the saide howse or Ten’te and other the premisses with the appurtenances shall wholie remayne to William Wilmore brother of the same Richard and to the heire males of the bodye of the same Willia[m] Wylmore lawfullie begotten or to be begotten And yf the saide William Wilmore happen to dye withoute heyre males of his saide Bodye lawfullie begotten Then I will the said howse or Ten’te and other the premisses with the appurtenances shall wholie Remayne to John Wilmore brother of the saide Richarde and William and to the heire males of his bodie lawfullie begotten or to Be begotten And yf it happen the saide John Wilmore to dye without heyre males of his saide bodye lawfullye begotten Then I will the said Howse or Tenemete and other the premisses withe the appurtenances shall remayne to John Townesend and Richarde Townesende my Brother John Townesendes Children of Lighthorne in the Countie of Warwick husbandman and to their heires and assignes for ever, To Holde of the chief lord or lordes of the Fee by therservices first due and accustomed Item I gyve and bequeath all that my new Howse or Tenement which I latelie buildid with the Backside and Hole garden extendinge to the Freer Wall nowe to the saide newe howse belonginge scituate lyinge and beinge with Suburbes of the saide Towne of Warwick in the saide Strete called the west streete, To Walter Townesend my Brother William Townesende sonne, of Wilmescote in the Countie oxeforde husbandman and to the heyre males of the bodye of the saide Walter lawfullie begotten or to be begotten And for defalte of suche yssue of the bodye of the saide Walter Townesende lawfullie begotten Then I will the saide newe howse or Ten’te and other the premisses withe thappurtenances last devised shall wholie remayne to Richarde Townesende Brother to the saide Walter and to the heire males of the bodye of the saide Richarde Townesende lawfullie begotten or to be begotten And yf it happen the saide Richarde Townesende last mencioned to dye without heire males of his said bodye lawfullie begotten Then I wyll the saide newe howse or Tenement and other the premisses with the appurtenances last devised shall remayne to William Townesende brother to the saide Walter and Richarde and to the heyre males of his bodye lawfullie begotten or to be begotten And if if happen the saide Willia[m] Townesende to dye without heire males of his saide bodye Lawfullie begotten Then I will and my mynde ys the saide newe howse or Tenemete and other the premisses with thappurtenances last before devised shall wholie remayne to Thomas Townesende my brother dwellinge at Wartewoodde in the Countie of Northampton and to the heyre males of his bodye lawfullie begotten or to be begotten And yf it happen the saide Thomas Townesende my brother to dye without heyre males of his saide bodye lawfullie begotten Then I will and my full mynde is the saide newe howse or Tenemente and other the premisses last devised shall wholie remayne to the forsaide John Townesende and Richarde Townesende my saide brother John Townesendes sonne of lighthorne in the saide Countie of Warwick husbondman and to their heires and assignes for ever To holde of the chief lordes of the Fee by their services first due and accustomed Provided alwaies and my full mynde and intente is That Johan my wieff shall have and enioye bothe the saide two howses or Ten’ts before devised with the backsides and gardeines therunto belonginge to her and her assiignes during her naturall lief kepinge reparacions of the same from tyme to tyme as nede shall requyre And, after the deathe and deceasse of the saide Johan my wieff I will the saide twoo Tenements withe the former devises and things therin mencioned to the Contrarie notwithstandinge Provided alwaies and my mynde and will is that the saide Johan my wieff shall have the Custodie and kepinge of all the deedes and Evidences concerninge both the saide twoo Tenements and other the premisses with the appurtenances During her saide naturall lieff So that she do enter into twentie pounds bonde to the nexte heyres to whome the premisses ys first devised for the trewe delyverie of all the saide dedes and Evidences to them after her saide deathe and deceasse Item I will that Johan my wieff shall paye unto John Rede the Carpinter twentie shillinges in moneye or ware more then his duetie alredy payed by me So that he doo fynysshe my saide newe howse or Tenemet before Michelmas nexte comynge acordinge to his bargayne which shoulde have ben don afore Holyrode Daye last paste Item I gyve and bequeathe to William Stephens fyve sonnes and daughts of Warwyck weaver everie one of them one Sheepe a peece at the discretion of my Executrixe hereafter named Item I gyve and bequeath to John Hill my Godsonne a Ewe and a Lambe at the discretion of my saide Executrixe hereafter named Item gyve and bequeathe to the fowre Children of my Cosen John Whitterege of Barforde either of them one Shepe at the like discretion of my Executrix And to Elizabeth Crowder his mayde servante a Shepe at the like discetion Item I gyve and bequeathe to Alice and Anne Townesende daughters to my saide Brother John Townesende of Lighthorne either of them one Heyfor a peece goyng in the Lordshipp of Barforde So as they do pay for the hyre of them this somer Item I gyve and bequeathe to Katherine Lettice and Johan Wilmore three of the daughters of my sonne in lawe Richarde Wilmore of Sherborne either of them one Sheepe a peece at the discretion of my Executrixe Item I bequeathe to William Wilmore sonne of my said sonne in lawe Richard Wilmore one Heyfor at the discretion of my said Executrix Itm to my Cosen John Whitterige and his wieff either of them a Sheepe at the like discretion of my Executrixe Item I gyve to Margarett Wilmore my daughter in lawe one Lambe Item I bequeath to my Sister Johane Randle and to her fowre childre[n] either of them one Sheepe a peece at the discretion of my saide Executrixe Item I bequeath to Elenor Sheldon wieff to Richarde Sheldone Tenne shillinges in moneye Item I will and my mynde is that my saide Executrixe hereafter named shall duringe her naturall lief gyve fyndinge and keping of meate drinck bedd & apparell to Jane Grene yf she will abide with her and where my Brother Thomas Townesende of Wartwoodde in the Countie of Northampton dothe owe me twentie poundes to be paide at the Feaste of St Michaell tharchangell next comynge my will and mynde is that my Executrixe shall ymediatelie uppon the Receipte thereof paye the same twentie poundes to my saide sonne in Lawe Richarde Wilmore in dischardge of twentie poundes whiche he standeth bounde to paye unto John Spier one of the Children of John Spier of Barforde decessed Item I bequeath to Richard Latynd my Servant one Sheepe Item I Bequeathe to William Sheldon the sonne of Robert Sheldon one Sheepe to be chosen of the best Item I further will and my mynde ys That the Leasse of the howse or Ten’te Wherein I now dwell and inhabite at Longbridge aforesaide with all and singuler their appurtenances shall imediatlie after the deathe and deceasse of me the saide Richarde Townesende and Johan my wieff remayne to my sonne in lawe Richarde Wilmore and his wieff Margarett acording to the will of her Father Bartholomew Smaley decessed Item I bequeth to my Brother Peter Townesende and Jane his daughter one of my tythe acres which I did take of John Byker in Barforde meadowe and Lee Meadowe during suche interest and terme of yeares as I have yet to come in the same The Residue of all my gooddes Chattells and Cattells unbequethed after my dettes paide my Legacies performed, and my fun[er]all expenss dischardged I holie gyve & bequeathe to Johan my wyeff whom I ordeyne Constitute and make my full and whole Executrix of this my present last will and Testament And I also ordaine and make my frende William Stephens my sonne in Lawe Richarde Wilmore my Brother John Townsende and my Coosen John Whitteridge to be my overseers trustinge that they will see this my present last will & Testamente executed & performed with effecte as my hope and confidence is in them who I will shall have for their paines taking tweve pence a peece In wittnes to this my saide last will and Testament Roberte Sheldon the writen hereof John Townsende of Tachebroke William Stephens of Warr Richarde Wilmore of Sherborne John Whitteridge Raffe Evatts Chr[ist]ofer Dalbie John Hill and Richard Wilmore the yonger with others.

[Proved 12 November 1576]

The will of Raphe Townsend:

In the name of god amen The xix daye of august in the yere of our lorde god m ccccc xlix & in the thirde yere of our Soveraygne lord Edwarde the vj by the grace of gode kynge of England Frannce and Irelande nexte. under god the Suprime hedde I Raphe Townsende of Warwyke sike and deceased in bodye but hole & quiet of mynde & of p[er]fecte memorye Thanks be to Almyghty god ordeyne and make this my last and [sic] testament for the disposing of my goods in this wolde after my departure in man[er] and forme folowyng first I bequethe as god hath appoynted this my erthie bodye to the earthe To be buryed in the p[ar]ishe churche of Lyghthorne & my soule to be a lynely scryfice to almyghty god by the only meryts of chrysts passion also I give to the pore mens boxe in Warwyke xij d and to the churche of Worcestr iij d Itm I Bequethe to Angnis my wyffe x^li of money sterlyng iij kyne and all the corne in the barne ov[er] & besides her owne goodes in the house Itm I owe To Wyllm my sone xij^li of money whiche I wyll to be payde of my goods at the p[r]ysynge therof Itm I bequethe to my iiij children namly John Bartylmew Roberte and Elizabethe to eyther of this v^li to be deliv[er]yd when they come to lawfull aige to occupie in the world Itm I ordeyne and make Rychard Townsend & Willm my sones yoyntly and to gether my full and sole Executors of this my last wyll and to the said Richard I give the lease of aspes[?] & the lease of Lathburyes howse with my Interest and p[ar]te in the p[ar]sonage of Lyghthorne Willm also my sone to have halfe the lease of gospell fild and the legge fild to be occupied indifferently and to gether between them bothe all other my goods and cattelles bothe moveable and unmoveable what so ev[er] they are that at this pnte I have or to me in any wyse is dewe I give & bequethe to them bothe. that they payinge my detts and dischargyng my legacyes maye enyoye and possesse the same by me otherweyse unbequest Also I desier & wyll John Vernan p[ar]son of Lyghthorne and Thomas Catar of Warwycke to be ov[er]seers of this my last and [sic] testament to be in all poyntes p[er]formed accordynge to my Intente and for theyer paynes to have betwene them x^s Also I Raphe Townsende beforenamed dysalowe aduichibate and utter forsake & refuse all man[er] of wylles testaments and other form[er] instruments p[ro]mises or convenas[?] connenann[..?] giftes or bequests by me in any wysse made before this tyme and only alowe & establishe establishe [sic] this to be my last wyll in forme man[er] Before wrytten with these wytnesse John Vernan p[ar]son. J Smythe Thomas Katar John Sawnders. Thomas Mason Roberte Mannton etc

[Proved 26 September 1549]

1546 Will of Robert Townsend of Snitterfield:

Both this will and the 1576 will of Richard Townsend of Warwick mention a son in law Richard Willmore.

In the name of god amen the xvij day of January in the yere of the Raygne of our sov[er]aygne lord kyng henry the viij kyng of England France and Ireland defender of the faythe and in erthe imediatlie under god [s…] hed of this churche of Englande and Ireland xxxviij I Roberte Townysende of Sneterfilde hole of mynde and sike in body do make this my last will and testament in man[er] and forme folowyng first I bequethe my soule to god almighty to our lady saynt mary and to all the holy company of hevyn and my bo be buryed in the churche yard of sneterfilde afore sayde Itm I bequethe to Regny my wyffe the halfe of the croppe Joyntly with my sone in lawe Rychard Willmore and from heareforth a lande of whete a lande of barly and an acar of pese duryng her life which shalbe the three chose throughe out all his croppe Itm I bequethe to John Pegre of Hampton buschop a cowe ij gannys a doblet ij payer of hose ij sherts the Rest of all my goods unbequethd I give and bequethe my detts payde and legacies fulfilled to Regnie my wiffe whom I make my sole executrix These witnesse J Thoms Hergrewe John Thowny Sede[?] Water nicole with other moe

References

Lighthorne parish register. Digital images on Findmypast.co.uk accessed 25 December 2019.

Probate inventory of John Townsend of Lighthorne, 1610. Consistory Court of Worcester. Digitial images on FamilySearch.org.

Will of Alanne Townsend of Lighthorne. Proved 1561 in the Consistory Court of Worcester. Digital images on FamilySearch.org.

Will of Raphe Townsend of Warwick. Proved 1549 in the Consistory Court of Worcester. Digital images on FamilySearch.org.

Will of Richarde Townesende of St Mary's Warwick. Proved 1576 in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. Digital images on Ancestry.com.

Will of Robert Townsend of Snitterfield. Proved 1546 in the Consistory Court of Worcester. Digital images on FamilySearch.org.