Townsend Township, Huron County, Ohio
Township #4 in Range 21
Early Beginnings
Townsend Township was named after Kneeland Townsend who owned the greatest part of the land in the settlement. Prior to coming to Ohio he was a merchant in New Haven, Connecticut. The first election of township officers was held 15 October 1820 at the house of Benjamin Bailey. On 15 November 1820, Jasper Miles was elected Justice of the Peace. The first election for State and County offices was held 9 October 1821. The different settlements were so separated that election days were the only occasions when settlers could get together. Men and boys attended the elections as a holiday, bringing their rifles with them to shoot at targets.
Townsend Township was named after Kneeland Townsend who owned the greatest part of the land in the settlement. Prior to coming to Ohio he was a merchant in New Haven, Connecticut. The first election of township officers was held 15 October 1820 at the house of Benjamin Bailey. On 15 November 1820, Jasper Miles was elected Justice of the Peace. The first election for State and County offices was held 9 October 1821. The different settlements were so separated that election days were the only occasions when settlers could get together. Men and boys attended the elections as a holiday, bringing their rifles with them to shoot at targets.
Early Settlers
George Miller is generally acknowledged as being the first settler. He came originally from Pennsylvania and arrived in Townsend in 1811.
Other early settlers, up to about 1820, and their dates of arrival in Townsend are:
Other early settlers, up to about 1820, and their dates of arrival in Townsend are:
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William Burdue 1811
Orisimus Kellogg 1811 Bryant Milliman 1816 Jasper Miles 1817 Benjamin Bailey 1817 Hezekiah Barber 1817 Amaziah Barber c.1817 |
Abijah Barber c.1817
Augustus Barber c.1817 Samuel Sherman 1817 Frederick Perring 1818 Thomas E. Fletcher 1818 Ephraim Munger 1818 David Lee pre-1820 |
Some First Events
- The first wedding was that of Dr. Lyman Fay of Milan, and Miss Caroline Kellogg, daughter of Orisimus Kellogg, on 21 July 1816.
- William and Elizabeth Burdue were the parents of the first white children (twins) born in 1816, but who lived only a few months.
- David Sayre was the first person to die in the township, date unknown.
- The first tavern was opened by Moses D. Fowler about 1834.
- The first school house was built in the Barber settlement about 1818.
- Lucy Tenant was among the earliest school teachers; the first school teacher was possibly Jasper Miles who taught a winter school.
- The first resident physician was Dr. G. R. Stanton who began his practice in 1847.
- The first saw mill was built by David Lee in 1820.
- The first post office was established in 1833 or 1834 with Daniel Phillips as postmaster.
Early Population Indicators
- The 1827 census of Townsend showed 35 white males above age 21 living there.
- 1840 U. S. Census - 868
- 1880 U. S. Census - 1,405
Cemetery Locations in Townsend Township
The numbers of the cemeteries below, correspond
with the circled numbers on the map above.
with the circled numbers on the map above.
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Information compiled by Ken Shute.
Maps by Bob Kerner.
Transcribed from the old Huron County OHGenWeb site
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