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Memorial and Family History of Erie County, New York
Vol. I, Biographical and Genealogical
The Genealogical Publishing Co., Buffalo; 1906-8

   [10-11]

        HON. CHARLES TOWNSEND, son of NATHANIEL TOWNSEND, was born in
     Norwich, Conn., January 22, 1786, and came to Buffalo in 1811. In
     1814, with his partner, GEORGE COIT, he engaged in ship-building and
     lake transportation, the firm of TOWNSEND & COIT being until 1821 the
     only Buffalo house following these lines of business.  In 1813 Mr.
     TOWNSEND was appointed Judge of Niagara County, an office which he
     held till 1826.  As a jurist he showed an impartiality and good sense
     which went far to supply the place of a technical training in the law,
     and were amply sufficient for the needs of the community.  Judge
     TOWNSEND took a leading part in securing a harbor for Buffalo. In 1821
     he with his partner, Mr. COIT, and other citizens mortgaged their
     private property to the State and obtained a loan of $12,000 for the
     purpose of building the harbor. The work was accomplished, and on its
     success the project was taken up by the State and later by the Federal
     Government, the outcome being the rebuilding of the harbor in its
     present form. In the courageous and disinterested act of Judge
     TOWNSEND and his coadjutors in pledging their own property for the
     benefit of the public, was the germ of the greatness of the port of
     Buffalo.  The TOWNSEND name is also identified with the origin of that
     standard financial institution, the Buffalo Savings Bank. The bank was
     organized May 9, 1846, Judge TOWNSEND being elected its first Presi-
     dent, an office which he continued to hold until his death.
        Judge TOWNSEND married JANE CORNING at Albany, N. Y., June 5, 1819.
     Their children were ANNA M. (STONE), born April 23, 1820; GEORGE C.,
     born September 25, 1821, died January 30, 1852; JANE C. (WILSON), born
     November 30, 1823; MARY W. (KICH), born December 5, 1826, died Feb-
     ruary 11, 1896; CHARLES, born April 12, 1831; FRANCES H. (ROSSEEL),
     born July 25, 1835.  The death of Judge TOWNSEND occurred in Buffalo,
     September 14, 1847. He survived his wife by six years.

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