SHRIVENHAM, BERKSHIRE
TOWNS(H)ENDS

ANOTHER LINE OF
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND TOWNS(H)ENDS
ALSO REFERRED TO AS THE
PARK-CORNER TOWNSHENDS

This line descends from James Towns(h)end (born 1739) who arrived on Prince Edward Island (shipwrecked) in 1775 on the ship, Elizabeth.

James Townshend comes from Shrivenham, Berkshire, near Swindon, west of London. He might be the son of a John Townshend born around 1713 (unconfirmed). His line settles in the northern part of the island (Lot 11 ??). This PEI line starts the New Brunswick Townshends. The lineage so far looks as follows (additions to this brief list are most welcome):

    James Townshend (1739 - ) from Shrivenham, Berkshire (father might be a "John"). Arrived in Prince Edward Island in 1775 with his children on the Elizabeth which was chartered by Justice Peter Stewart.
      John Townshend (1756-1794) first marriage had one son, second marriage to ___ Heffel with no children.
        Thomas Townshend (1781 - ????) married Eunice Reed in 11 Dec (1817). Moved from Prince Edward Island to Jolicure Lake, New Brunswick in 1817 after marriage. Had issue:
          James Townshend (1824 - ????)
            George Clinton Townshend (1873 - ???) Had issue:
              1st son
              William Townshend (1829 - ????)
              married Lydia Ann __ and had issue:
              John Townshend (???? - ???? married Mary Jane ___.
            Joseph Townshend (1860 - ????) married Susan Wallace.
            Sarah Jane Townshend (???? - ????)
            Charles Burton Townshend (1865 - ????)
            Albert James Townshend (1867 - ????) married Mary Madden in 1892.
          2nd son
          3rd son
          possibly more sons
      Elizabeth Townshend (1761 - ????)
      Rachel Townshend (1763 - ????)
      James Townshend (1766 - 1827)
      married in 1796 to Jane ___.
      Lucy Townshend
      Richard Townshend
      Mary Townshend (1768 - 1850)
    William Townshend (1745 - ) from Shrivenham, Berkshire (father is definitely a George).

More about the lesser known PEI Townshends. Where do they come from?

There seems to be some confusion about the name of James Townshend who arrives in 1775 - his name might be John. The father of this James Townshend also appears to be a mystery but is speculated to be a John Townsend. From IGI records it is speculated by the webmaster that James's father or uncle is the George Townshend (seen below as the father of a William, b.1745). This particlar IGI document below raises questions about the actual birth-date of Hon William Townshend, also of Prince Edward Island - they are not the same person!

Click here to view this debate.

According to Gary Townshend this line (from Shrivenham, Berkshire) is spelled without the "H". He speculates that the use of the "H" is relatively recent and comes from the popularity of Canon Rev George Townshend (1810 - 1895, youngest son of Hon William Townshend and father of Hon Sir Charles James Townshend), of Amherst, Nova Scotia. Gary Townshend has noted a number of facts showing this. This is in conflict with the spelling in IGI records as seen below.

It is not certain how far back in history the Shrivenham, Berkshire Townshends can be traced. One record (below) indicates that they might have existed in the Shrivenham area from before 1640. The surname in this record is obviously latinised to 'Tounesende'. The specific Shrivenham location in this record one could probably assume that they are from the same family and that this might very well be a common Shrivenham Towns(h)end ancestor.