Memorials › Sherod Lafayette Townsend

Sherod Lafayette Townsend

11 Nov 1823 – 12 Aug 1890

Birth	11 Nov 1823
Death	12 Aug 1890
Cemetery	Kingsbury Rest Land Cemetery Hamilton County , Texas , USA
Added by	S Ranch CTX on 02 Nov 2009
FaG	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32096766

Bio

Martha Ann Stephens (1831-1919) and Sherod Lafayette Townsend (1823-1890), married 1849, and their children Martha Ann Stephens was born to Eli Stephens (1792-1867) and Susan Thompson (1800-1872) 20 Sep 1831 in Robeson Co NC. She was living in Carroll Co MS with her birth family in 1840. Sherod and Martha married 12 Sep 1849 in Carroll Co MS (Mississippi, U.S., Compiled Marriages, 1826-1900). They were living on Peach Creek in Gonzales Co TX in 1850. Martha's parents were also living on Peach Creek. Sherod was enslaving a 20 year old male in 1850 (slave schedule). Sherod Lafayette Townsend was born in North Carolina (census) 11 Nov 1823 (stone). His parents appear as James Townsend and Unity Davis in some family trees but I have not found proof positive as to who Sherod's parents are. James Townsend married Unity Davis in Robeson Co NC. The marriage bond is undated. The James Townsend family was living in Robeson County in 1830 - Males: one 5-9, one 10-14, two 15-19, one 30-39. Females: two under 5, one 5-9, one 10-14, one 20-29. Unity may be the female 20-29. If so, she would not have been old enough to be the mother of the boys 15-19 but she could have been the mother of Sherod who would have been about seven when the census was taken. James's family was living in Carroll Co MS in 1840: 1M5-9, 2M15-19, 1M20-29, 1M40-49, 2F5-9, 1F10-14, 1F80-89, 7 enslaved persons, 5 employed in agriculture, 1 employed in learned professional engineers. The 20-29 year old woman recorded in the 1830 census appears to have died. Census recorded only the names of heads of household until 1850. James Townsend died intestate. An administrative bond (Carroll Co MS, 3 Oct 1848) was signed by Alexander J Townsend, Elias Townsend, Josiah Townsend, Alexander M Townsend and Francis M Floyd. Josiah, likely James's son, married Martha's sister Mary E Stephens 26 Dec 1840 in Carroll County (Mississippi, U.S., Compiled Marriages, 1826-1850). Josiah and Elizabeth were in Gonzales, Gonzales, Texas when the 1850 census was enumerated. Josiah is recorded as having been born about 1813 in North Carolina, Mary as having been born about 1825 in North Carolina. The 1860 census, enumerated 14 July, found Sherod and Martha in Hill Co TX (PO Greenwade's Mills): TOWNSEND S (36, carpenter, NC PE 600), Martha (27, NC), Sherod H (7, TX), Susan (5, TX), Frances (3, TX), Theodora (1, TX). S. Townsend in Texas, U.S., Muster Roll Index Cards, 1838-1900: Name & Rank: Townsend, S., Pvt., 1st Class. Comm. Off: Gouldy, W. S., Capt. Organ: Co K, 1st Regt., Bosque & Coryell Counties. 2nd Brig., TST [Texas State Troops]. Enlist: Aug 6-63; Mar 18-64 at Camp McCullough. Disch: __ Description: Age 39; Ht: 5'10"; Comp: Drk; Hair: Drk; Eyes: Drk; Occupation: Mechanic. Remarks: R&F 69;64. D.R. Woods, En Of; H.W. Cooke, Mus. Of. Co. sta. at Camp McCullough Mar 18-64. 2 MRs: Mar 18-64; Ap 6-64. Sherod Townsend took an oath of office as sheriff of Bosque Co TX at Meridian 12 May 1868 (Texas, U.S., Bonds and Oaths of Office, 1846-1920). 'During Reconstruction . . . lawlessness, including the killing of freedmen, flourished. In early 1870, the situation was so bad that the Austin Daily Journal reported Bosque County was averaging two killings each week' (Kristi Strickland, TSHA general entry). 1870 in Hill Co TX (PO Hillsboro): TOWNSEND Sherod (47, NC, house carpenter), Martha (38, NC), Hensley (17, TX), Louisa (15, TX), Francis (13, TX), Eudora (11, TX), James (9, TX), John (7, TX), Aleck (3, TX). 1880 in Hamilton Co TX: TOWNSEND Sherod (head, 56, farmer, born NC, parents born NC), Martha A (48, wife, keeping house, NC NC NC), James (18, son, married, laborer, TX), John H (14, son, farm laborer, school, TX), Martha J (dr, 7, TX), Emily (24, dr-i-l/James's wife, MS), ANDREWS Louisa (24, dr, widow, TX), Martha J (2, gdr, TX), Jefferson (gsn, 1, TX). Sherod died 12 Aug 1890 (stone) in Hamilton County. Martha was in Hamilton County (Evant and Star Road) in 1910, living with her daughter Frances Townsend Thompson. She died 16 Sep 1919 in Rule, Haskell, Texas. Her son JH Townsend of Rule TX was the informant for her death certificate. Sherod and Martha are buried at the Kingsbury Rest Land Cemetery in Hamilton County. Sherod's stone is inscribed He giveth his beloved sleep (Psalm 127:2), Martha's She was ready to every good work (Titus 3:1). According to the Gazetteer of Hamilton County, Texas, which was edited by Elreeta Weathers (1935-2020), 'Kingsbury Cemetery is west of Evant near Fairview Baptist Church on the south side of US 84 about seventeen miles southwest of Hamilton. From US 84, about five miles west of Evant, take County Road 532 south to the cemetery which is in a pasture. The first person buried here was Gilbert Denison Kingsbury who died March 17, 1877, at which time this was private property. His widow, Emeline (Tenny) Kingsbury later deeded this as a public cemetery.' CHILDREN SHEROD HENSLEY TOWNSEND married Sophronia Alice Autrey 20 Nov 1873 in Hill Co TX (Texas, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1817-1965). Sophronia's stone at Desert Lawn Memorial Park in Yuma AZ is inscribed Mrs. S. H. Townsend 1858-1946. Her death certificate gives her birthplace as Cherokee Co TX and records that she was the widow of Hensley Townsend. Sherod's obituary: Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock at the Heflin Cemetery for S. H. Townsend, 79, one of the first citizens of Brown County, who died Sunday night at his home in Blanket following a brief illness. Rev. J. D. Smoot, pastor of the Blanket Methodist church, officiated. 'Mr. Townsend, a native Texan, was born December 22, 1851. He had been a resident in Brown county in the Blake community for about 35 years, moving there from Bosque county where he was reared. He was a prosperous farmer, and during his long residence in that community he was known as a man of high esteem and was prominent in all civic affairs. 'Besides his wife Mr. Townsend is survived by seven daughters : Mrs. Gene [Ima] Mallow, Floydada, Texas ; Mrs. Paul [Edna] Dalton, Taylor, Texas ; Mrs. Ben [Ruth] Burns, Yuma, Arizona ; Mrs. Lee [Lee Ola] Gilmore, Brownwood ; Mrs. Charlie [Annie Pearl] Baker, Mrs. Jess [Addie Maud] Carruth and Mrs. Harry [Josie] Dickey, of Blanket. All members of the family attended the funeral except Mrs. Burns, who could not attend on account of illness.' Mollie, 2 mos old in 1880, appears to have predeceased her father as did Arta (1887-1889). The 1900 census records Alice as the mother of 9 children, 7 living. Sherod's stone at the Heflin Cemetery is inscribed S. H. Townsend Dec. 22. 1852 June 15. 1930. His death certificate agrees with the birthyear of 1851 given in the obituary. SUSAN LOUISA TOWNSEND (5 yrs old, born in Texas), was living with her birth family in Hill Co TX in 1860. Louisa (15, TX) continued with her parents in Hill County in 1870. JH Townsend and Miss Louisa Townsend married 14 Nov 1876 in Hill County. They had a daughter in 1877. Martha 'Mattie' J Andrews would marry James Truman Gilbreath, son of her mother's second husband and his first wife. A son, Joseph Jefferson Andrews, was born to Jim Andrews and Louisa Townsend 14 Dec 1878 in Rockdale, Milam, Texas (Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981). Louisa Andrews (24, widow) and her children Martha J (2) and Jefferson (1) Andrews were living with Sherod and Martha in Hamilton Co TX in 1880. Mr AJ Gilbreath and Mrs SL Andrews married 24 Aug 1884 in Hamilton County (Texas, U.S., Select County Marriage Index, 1837-1965). Andrew Jackson Gilbreath Sr's wife Mary M Edwards had died in January. Her stone is inscribed Wife of A. J. Gilbreath / May God bless my angel Companion. rest in peace. Farewell. Andrew was enlisted in the Tenth Texas Cavalry by Col Matthew F Locke at Quitman TX Sep 1861. According to TSHA article 'Tenth Texas Cavalry' by Matthew K. Hamilton 'In April 1862 the unit was dismounted and sent east of the Mississippi River where it served for the remainder of the war.' Pvt Gilbreath was taken prisoner at the Battle of Chickamauga 19 Sep 1863 and was received at Military Prison, Louisville KY, 5 Oct 1863. A Roll of Prisoners of War indicates that Andrew was 'paroled at Camp Douglas, Ill., and forwarded for Exchange to City Point, Va., March 14, 1865.' According to Wikipedia the Battle of Chickamauga was 'the first major battle of the war fought in Georgia, the most significant US defeat in the Western Theater, and involved the second-highest number of casualties after the Battle of Gettysburg.' JudyMcBride3 contributed a Civil War POW record for Alexander [Andrew] J Gilbreath to Family Search that she titled POW roll card and parole. Note comment at bottom of parole card and Hayden's note. The remarks on the document record that Andrew Signs by his mark, indicating that Andrew was unable to write. A handwritten note added to the roll card reads 2nd wife taught him to Read (Aunt Eva's letter.' The Eva who wrote the letter was likely Eva M Gilbreath Burnett (1895-1984), child of Andrew and Louisa. The 1920 census records that Andrew J and Susan L Gilbreath are both able to read and write. Andrew Gilbreath (born Apr 1839 in MO, farmer, owns farm free of mortgage, can read/write) and his wife Lizzie (born Jan 1833, mother of 8 children, 6 living, cannot read and write) were living in Hamilton County with Mattie (22) and Jefferson (21) Andrews and James (27), Andrew (16), Lula (12), Oliver (9), Minnie (6) and Eva (5) Gilbreath. The 1910 census found Andrew and Louisa in Brown Co TX. They were in San Saba Co TX with Lula (30, single) in 1920. Susan Louisa was born in Texas 1 Jan 1855 and she died 21 Jan 1922 at Mercury, San Saba, Texas, according to her death certificate, informant Oliver Gilbreath of Milburn TX. Andrew survived Louisa by two years, dying at Grosvenor, Brown, Texas. His death certificate has his father as Hughie Gilbreath, born in Ireland, and the informant is JT Gilbreath of Grosvenor TX. The couple's shared stone at the Cox Cemetery near the community of Milburn TX, described by Wikipedia as an 'unincorporated farming and ranching community established in 1873,' is inscribed Father and Mother. FRANCES 'FANNIE' MELISSA TOWNSEND was born 22 March 1857 in Texas and she died 22 Feb 1929 in Goldthwaite, Mills, Texas according to her death certificate. Her stone at the Pilgrim's Rest Cemetery in Lampasas Co TX mirrors these dates. She married William 'Will' Henry Thompson about 1878 and his stone, next to hers, has his dates as 30 Apr 1856 to 19 Dec 1935. Will and Fannie had 11 children: Frances La Rhetta (1879-1961), Sherod William (1881-1952), James Charlie (1883-1962), Rosa Ann (1884-1949), Joe Lee (1886-1966), Martha Jane (1888-1978), Nettie Demary (1890-1970), Otto (1895-1985), Ottie (1895-1982), Willie Viola (1898-1963) and Lula (1900-1932), who died twenty days after giving birth to a son. Otto and Ottie were twins. In 1880, 1900 and 1910, Fannie and Will were living in Hamilton County, Will farming. In 1910, Frances's mother Martha, 78, was living with them. She died in 1919. Will and Fannie were living in Mills County in 1920 and Will was a grocer. THEODORA TOWNSEND appears in the 1860 census as Theodore, a one year old female born in Texas, and as 11 year old Eudora in the 1870 census. JAMES ELI TOWNSEND was born 1 Jan 1862 and he married Mississippi born Emily Elizabeth Coker, the daughter of Lafayette Coker and Aletha Murphree, 6 Jan 1880 in Hamilton Co TX (Texas, U.S., Marriage Index, 1824-2019). Ethel Mae Townsend shares 'The Eli Townsend Family,' which includes a photo, in the Hamilton County Gazetteer: The Townsend family was among the early settlers of the region that became Hamilton county. Settling in the south western corner of the county near present day Evant. The family managed to turn the rugged area into a prosperous ranch. The family was brought into the county by Sherod Lafayette and Martha Ann Townsend. Both were natives of Robeson County, North Carolina. Sherod had been born there on November 11, 1823 and Martha Ann was born September 30, 1831. Martha is the daughter of Eli and Susanna Stevens. Eli was a plantation and slave owner in North Carolina. In the 1830's the families immigrated to Carroll County, Mississippi. 'Sherod and Martha were married September 12, 1849. More than a decade in Mississippi later the families moved to Gonzales County, Texas. Near Peach Creek on a cotton plantation the family prospered. By 1860 the family owned twenty slaves. In the late 1850's the Townsend family moved to Hill County and then later to Bosque county. In Bosque County, Sherod was elected sheriff and served during the turbulent years of the Civil War. Following the collapse of the Confederacy and with the advent of Reconstruction, Sherod was ousted from office as a Confederate sympathizer. 'The Townsends, their four sons and four daughters moved into Hamilton County shortly thereafter. The majority of the children married and moved away. James Eli Townsend took over the operation of the ranch. January 8, 1889 he married Emily Elizabeth Coker. She was born in Northern Mississippi near Coffeeville on June 25, 1855. Emily is the daughter of Lafayette and Aletha Coker. Her parents died at an early age and she spent her teenage years with her Grandparents, Samuel and Phebe Murphree. Emily and her family had been near heavy fighting during the civil war during a Union invasion of northern Mississippi. James Eli and Emily Townsend continued to ranch with a family of nine children. Five sons and four daughters. 'Sherod Townsend died in 1890 and Martha Ann died in 1919. Emily Townsend died November 16, 1934. James Eli Townsend died February 22, 1938. The family is buried in Kingsbury Cemetery.' Federal Census records James and Emily as continuing in Hamilton County in 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. James, a farm laborer, and his wife Emily were living with Sherod and Martha in 1880. James, a farmer and homeowner who could read and write, and Emily were living with their children Pearl L (born Dec 1881), William A (Dec 1883), Maggie J (May 1884), Thomas H (Jul 1886), Maud M (Jun 1888), Samuel (May 1891), Joseph G (Jul 1893), Mollie (Mar 1895) and James L (Feb 1897) in 1900. The 1910 census records James as a farmer and Emily as the mother of 9 children, 8 living. Pearl had died in 1902. James's occupation is recorded as stock farmer in 1930. According to her death certificate, Emily Elizabeth Townsend, a housekeeper, was born 25 June 1855 in Mississippi and she died 16 Nov 1934 in Evant, Hamilton, Texas. Her stone at the Kingsbury Rest Land Cemetery is inscribed Emily wife of J. E. Townsend. James's stone matches Emily's and gives his dates as 1862-1938. JOHN HENRY TOWNSEND was born 13 July 1865 in Texas and he died 19 March 1936 in Haskell Co TX according to his death certificate. JH Townsend and Miss Angeline Bailey married 23 Dec 1888 in Hamilton Co TX (Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977). Birth records show her name as Pernecia Angeline Bailey. According to her death certificate Mrs. Angeline Townsend was born 12 Nov 1867 in Louisiana and she died 26 Oct 1934. Her occupation is recorded as housewife and the informant is JH Townsend of Rule TX, Texas Route One. John and Angeline share a memorial at the Rule Cemetery. The couple is living in Hill Co TX in 1900 with children Susie B (born Oct 1889), Gertie (Feb 1893), Nora E (Sep 1894), Ruby V (Mar 1896) and Floyd O (Oct 1899). Angeline is the mother of 6 children, 5 living. The 1920 census finds the family in Stonewall Co TX, JH occupied as a farmer in the cotton grain industry and Angeline, the mother of 10 children, 9 living, occupied with household duties. Children Bonnie, Winnie, Elsie and Archie have been added to the family. John and Angeline are in Haskell Co TX in 1930. Also in the household are son Archie B, his wife and baby. ALECK TOWNSEND was recorded as a three year old boy born in Texas when the 1870 census for Hill County was enumerated 24 August 1870. He does not appear in the 1880 census. MARTHA 'MATTIE' JANE TOWNSEND married William Daniel Anderson 6 Dec 1892 in Hamilton Co TX (Texas, U.S., Select County Marriage Index, 1837-1965). William D (farmer) and Mattie J Anderson (4 children, 4 living) are in Stonewall Co TX in 1900 with children Retta E (Nov 1893), Zora M (Aug 1895), Beatrice C (Jul 1897), and William A (Feb 1900). The family is in Haskell Co TX in 1910 with 3 more children, Edna G, Thomas E and Roger G Anderson. William is still farming and all of the children are recorded as having been born in Texas. Mattie, the mother of 8 children, 7 living, appears to have borne and lost a child since the 1900 census was enumerated. The family continues in Haskell TX in 1920 and 1930 with the addition of sons Hoy Alvin and James Anderson. William is an operator on a farm and Mattie is a housewife in Roswell, Chaves, New Mexico in 1940. Martha Jane Anderson (spouse WD Anderson) died 30 Oct 1940 in Roswell (New Mexico, U.S., Deaths, 1889-1945). William and Mattie share a stone at the Hagerman Cemetery in Hagerman, Chaves, Texas, William's dates given as 3 Jun 1872 to 24 Apr 1960 and Mattie's as 4 Jan 1873 to 30 Oct 1940. by lili li née Loretta McKay Masters of Billie Joyce Wilkins of Maudie McKay of Rhetta Thompson of Frances Melissa Townsend of Sherod Lafayette Townsend and Martha Ann Stephens 5 May 2024

Inscription

He giveth his beloved sleep.

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Martha Ann Stephens Townsend 1831–1919

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