SAMUEL ROUNTHWAITE TOWNSHEND
1841-1896

S.R.Townshend was the son of Hon. Cecil Wray Townshend (the only one of the PEI Townshends to return to England). Hon Cecil Wray Townshend had three consecutive wives and had children from all three. The children from his third wife, Catherine Killey (S.R.Townshend's mother), were all born in England. The children from his first two wives were born and lived in Canada. Most of the third set of British born children moved to Canada too to be with their step-brothers and sisters. Samuel Rounthewaite Townshend (the youngest son) and Catherine Townshend (the youngest daughter) remained in England

Samuel Rounthwiate Townshend had four sons and four daughters. Two of the sons moved to South Africa, one son moved to Australia and youngest son stayed in England. Apart from one of the South African lines, these Townshends lines have died out.

Samuel Rounthwiate Townshend appear to have had an interest in genealogy at an early age. This can be seen in an 1861 letter from a Stewart cousin regarding his grandmother's Stewart line. Click here to view this letter.

There is some debate as to whether S.R.Townshend's father had the title of "Hon.". So far no-one knows how Hon Cecil Wray Townshend comes to have this title. It is speculated that he was involved with the law and might have become a Judge in England. There are three independant sources that refer to him as "Hon Cecil Wray Townshend". The most official is the death notice of S.R.Townshend in Prince Edward Island, refering to him as the youngest son of "Hon. Cecil Wray Townshend". Correspondence from one S.R Townshend's daughters also refers to there grandfather as such. Also, independant correspondence from descendants of Catherine Wilson, Samuel Rounthewaite Townshend's sister, also refers to their comman ancestor as "Hon. Cecil Wray Townshend".

This was Catherine (Townshend) Wilson at the age of 84. She was Samuel Rounthwaite Townshend's sister and also remained in England. She married Courthorpe Wilson, Vice Chancellor of the Duchy of York

Samuel Rounthwaite Townshend (1841 - 1896), was the youngest son of Hon Cecil Wray Townshend, was a grandson of Hon William Townshend and great grandson of Richard Townshend of Wexham/Wrexham He was a first cousin to Hon Sir Charles James Townshend. Valuable letters exist between his daughter, Amy Flora, and this famous judge. He was also a first cousin to Charles Wiggins Townshend of PEI. His elder brothers and sisters include: Sibella Townshend (1816 - ) (born in Canada from 1st step-mother) William Townshend (1819 - ) (born in Canada from 1st step-mother) unnamed brother - dies young (born in Canada from 2nd step-mother) Elizabeth Townshend (1822 - ) (born in Canada from 2nd step-mother) Ann Townshend (1824 - ) (born in Canada from 2nd step-mother) Flora Townshend (apparently moved to Canada) Charles Townshend (apparently moved to Canada) Catherine Townshend (stayed in England) John Townshend Samuel Rounthewaite Townshend himself (stayed in England) In 1867 he married Harriet Jordan (1844 - 1886). and had 8 children, all born in England Cecil Wray Townshend (1869 - 1950) Gustavus Jordan Townshend (1870 - 1927) Harriet Francis Edith Townshend (1872 - 1884) Amy Flora Townshend (1873 - after WW1) Walter Samuel Townshend (1875 - 1967) Edward Villiers Townshend (1876 - 1969) Nora Sibella Townshend (1878 - 1968) Christine Emma Townshend (1879 - 1950's)