George Townsend (politician)

George Townsend (December 21, 1768 – August 17, 1844) was a U.S. Representative from New York.

George Townsend
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 1st district
In office March 4, 1815 (1815-03-04) – March 3, 1819 (1819-03-03) Serving with Henry Crocheron (1815–17) Tredwell Scudder (1817–19)
Preceded by	John Lefferts Ebenezer Sage
Succeeded by	Silas Wood James Guyon, Jr.
Personal details
Born	(1768-12-21)December 21, 1768 Lattingtown, Province of New York, British America
Died	August 17, 1844(1844-08-17) (aged 75) Lattingtown, New York, U.S.
Political party	Democratic-Republican
Spouse	Deborah Cock

Early life

Townsend was born on December 21, 1768^[1] in Lattingtown, township of Oyster Bay in what was then the Province of New York, a part of British America.^[2] He was the first son of Prior Townsend (1749–1803) and Sarah (née Feake) Townsend (1750–1833). Among his siblings was Jacob Townsend, Hannah Townsend, Deborah Townsend and Hannah Townsend.^[1]

Career

Townsend engaged in agricultural pursuits.^[2]

Townsend was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Congresses, serving from March 4, 1815 to March 3, 1819.^[2][3]

Personal life

Townsend was married to Deborah Cock (1776–1854), a daughter of Daniel Cock and Rosanna (née Townsend) Cock.^[4] Together, they were the parents of two boys:^[5]

• James Cock Townsend (1797–1882), a physician who married Anne S. Valentine, daughter of Hon. Richard Valentine.^[5] After Anne's death in 1836, he married Margaret Elizabeth Townsend (1809–1879), a daughter of William Townsend, in 1838.^[6]
• George Prior Townsend (1815–1854), who married Anna Frost in 1838, a daughter of Jervis Frost. After George's death, his widow married John W. Somarindyck.^[5]

He died in Lattingtown, township of Oyster Bay, New York, August 17, 1844.^[2]

Descendants

Through his son James, he was a grandfather of Julia M. Townsend (1842–1896), who married George Faile Valentine (1844–1891).^[6]