Townsend, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

Nathaniel Townsend (1804-1864) moved to Natchez, Mississippi in 1828 to live with his brother after unspecified health issues required that he depart his home state of New York. He married Maria Roach in 1829, with whom he had four children. After meeting Stephen F. Austin on a trip to St. Louis, Missouri, the Townsend family moved to San Felipe de Austin.

Following the formation of the Republic of Texas, President Sam Houston named Townsend consul at New Orleans, where he served from 1837 to 1838. During this time, his wife passed away. The next year, Townsend moved to Austin, where he opened a general store to replace the one burned by the Mexican Army in March 1836. While visiting his children at their school in the East in 1847, he married Angeline Townsend of Williamstown, Massachusetts, and the family returned to New Orleans for three years. In 1850, Townsend moved back to Austin and opened a merchandising business; however, by the time of the Civil War, failing health drove him to return to New York.

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