Charles D. Townsendby
Charles De Kay Townsend was born in 1778 at Goshen, in Orange County. He was the son of Absalom and Helena De Kay Townsend who fled Oyster Bay, Long Island with the British occupation of lower New York. He does not appear to have been closely related to Dr. David Townsend, a Yankee surgeon at the Albany hospital during the War. Arriving in Albany by 1798, he was identified on community-based surveys as a "Merchant." After arriving in Albany, he entered the field of medical practice. In 1802, he is said to have attended "Medical Lectures" at Columbia College. Perhaps, beginning in 1803, he was trained by Albany physicians Drs. Mancius and Woodruff - pillars of the postwar Albany medical community. In December 1807, he married Albany native Maria Fonda at the Albany Presbyterian church. At least four of their seven children became prominent residents. In 1810 and afterwards, his household was configured on the Albany census. Through those years, his holdings on Market Street were valued substantially. Beginning with the first edition in 1813, "Charles D. Townsend" was listed as physician living probably in the same building at varying addresses on North Market Street. During the early 19th century, Townsend was recognized as a leader of the Albany medical establishment. He treated the poor and was known for service in the emerging field of "public health." He served on various Boards and also supported a number of Albany-based organizations. His character was considered by a number of contemporaries. One of them noted that:
Another contemporary testified:
Charles D. Townsend died in December 1847 at the age of sixty-nine. He was identified as "a practicioner of medicine". His will passed probate in Albany County in January 1848. His nephew followed in his namesake's footsteps but to a much different fate in Ohio. In February 1860, the Albany newspaper reported the death of "Elizabeth Butler" age 99 - "formerly a slave in the family of Ch. D. Townsend."
notes
Sources: The life of Charles D.
Townsend is CAP biography number 461. This
sketch is derived chiefly from family
and community-based resources. See also the
sketch at NYGenWeb.
Extensive/excessive quoted material: These passages are presented here (although it is not our custom to do so) first because they are so insightful and then to ensure their availability. Both profiles appear online but were compiled from ANNALS of the Medical Society of the County of Albany, 1806-1851, by Sylvester D. Willard, M. D. first posted 4/10/16
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