Biography

One of twelve children of John Townsend (Mayor of Albany from 1829-1832) and Abby Spencer Townsend. In June of 1840, FMS and her children, traveling from Albany to Auburn, encountered the Townsend family on the train. During this journey, FMS “succeeded in keeping all children away from us,” including the Townsends, by proclaiming her suspicion that WSJ was suffering from whooping cough  (18400619FMS_LMW1). Ambrose Spencer Townsend was an adult at this point, but may have been present along with his parents and siblings.