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Note: n which was later dropped. The Townsend families of England and America are of mixed Saxon and Norman origin, and of great antiquity in Norfolk County, England. Lodovic de Townshend, a Norman nobleman, married Elizabeth de Huntsville (Hauteville). The Hauteville family possessed large estates, all of which came into possession of the Townshends. A William Townshend held considerable lands in Norfolk in the reign of King John, about 1200 A.D. In 12l7-l272, there was a Thomas Townshend at West Huling, and in 1304 his son John died. The Townsends trace their ancestry back to Roger de Townshend, of Norfolk, England, before 1400 A.D. The Marquis of Townshend is the head of this family, long seated at Raynham Hall, Raynham, Norwich, Norfolk, England. Capt. Charles Townshend of New Haven named his summer home at East Haven, Raynham, and his younger son was named Raynham. Raynham Hall has a "Queen's Room," in which Queen Anne once slept . Sadly, the glories of Raynham and the holdings and fortunes of the Townshends passed away in bankruptcy -- the Raynham Hall portraits and ancestral treasures sold and dispersed, empty places on walls where pictures were removed. Thomas Townsend (tenth generation from Roger de Townshend ), together with his three sons ( John, Henry and Richard - the "Three Brothers"), immigrated to America and settled at Lynn in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in North America in 1636 and died there in 1677. The prolific Townsends now scattered all over North America are descended from these three brothers. Their descendants down through the mid-1800's are documented in "Memorial of the Townsend Brothers", James E. Townsend, 1865. Leslie Bower Townsend is descended from John. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Leslie Bower Townsend graduated Ithaca HS. Served as Private, US Army, #434430. Honorable Discharge Camp Lee, VA, 11/14/1918. Graduated Cornell Univ., BA, 1920. Next two years as teller at Union Trust Co., Cleveland, Ohio. In 1922 joined his father upon the latter's purchase of the Ithaca Fuel Supply Co. In 1923 father founded the Ithaca Oil Co. and subsequently sold the Ithaca Fuel Supply Co. in 1925. Leslie went with Ithaca Oil Co. in 1923, becoming Secretary & Treasurer in 1925 and President of the firm upon his father's death in 1929. In 1931 the business was sold to Gulf Refining, and he became Commission Distributor of the district. He subsequently founded L.B. Townsend, Distributor, Inc. Retired from his firm in 1980, leaving his son, Clifford, as controlling officer. Elected in 1931 as Alderman (Republican) Fourth Ward. Was affiliated with: Hobasco Lodge, #716, F. & A.M.; Eagle Chapter, #51, R.A.M.; St. Augustine Commandery, #38, K.T.; Balbec Grotto, M.O.V.P.E.R; Kalurah Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S.; Thompkins County Shrine Club; Ithaca Masonic Club; B.P.O. Elks, #636; Theta Chi fraternity; Exchange Club; Cornell Club of Ithaca; Ithaca Yacht Club; Ithaca Country Club; Chamber of Commerce; Ithaca Volunteer Fire Department; and YMCA. Moved with his wife to St. Petersberg, Fla., in 1972, where he remained until his death in 1990. Leslie and Jane were 23rd cousins.
Note: The family name of Townsend is of ancient origin, dating back to Anglo-Saxon days, and derives its meaning from the place of residence of the family: Townsend was originally "at the town's end". The "h" in the name Townshend is an early intrusio
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