The Townsends of Herefordshire – A brief History

Following our previous page on The Townsends of the Hope Villages, we were contacted by Jamie Kete who had come across the story whilst searching his own family history.

Jamie is due to visit Tarrington on 27th July 2022 with his 1995 Steam Engine which was owned by his Great, Great Grandfather William Townsend.  Below is Jamie’s brief history of his family and their connections to Herefordshire.  We very much look forward to his visit, 

 A Brief History

The Townsend family of blacksmiths and publicans have a long association with the area between Ledbury and Hereford.  James Townsend (1787) moved to Brockhampton with his parents when only a few years old.  He became a blacksmith – like his father – and is buried at St Michael’s, Sollers Hope.

Of his seven children, his eldest son James (1820) and Edward William (1829-ish – always known by his second name) have the biggest part to play in this story. 

William (1829) lived in “Old Ford” Falcon his whole life.  After his father, James (1787) passed away William appears to have moved from Blacksmithing to agricultural engineering. In 1871 he is recorded as being the “Engine driver of steam threshing machine”.  By 1881 he was a “ Machine Owner” and his son Henry an “Engine Driver Portable” (a portable steam engine is one capable of driving a stationary load, but not propelling itself).  By 1891 he is recorded as being a machinist and his sons had taken over the running of the business.

We know that in 1884 he purchased his first traction engine new from Aveling & Porter of Rochester, Works No. 1995. This is the engine that will be touring our area of Herefordshire in July.   We are fortunate in having a copy of the original build sheet which gives the engine’s particulars.   A short history of the 1995 engine can be read here.

His sons grew the business and eventually had ownership of of four other traction engines and we are fortunate that some photographs exist of these machines.

William passed away in 1925 and is buried at St Michael’s with his wife Sarah and several members of his family.

James (1820) moved to Bosbury and was blacksmith there for some 50 years.  Of his fifteen children his second son, James (1849 – another one!), was landlord of the Trumpet, and his descendants include Hank Hilliard of Texas who’s generosity has helped make this trip possible.  This branch of the family also has connections with The Feathers in Ledbury.

His fourth son William (1852) was blacksmith in Staplow and became the landlord of the Oak Inn in the same village.  William also happens to be my Great Great Grandfather which makes a pleasing connection between the original and present owners.

With such a large family it is not surprising that there are many descendants of the Townsend family, many of whom lived and worked in the area, including Tarrington, Fownhope and Brockhampton.  John Richardson – a descendant of William (1829) – has put together a comprehensive family listing which runs to 47 pages.  (An abridged version of which can be found here)