In Search of Thomas

After the Civil War, the Townsends of Carolina especially and those that migrated to Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee and other pioneer settlements began to seek thier heritage. Perhaps family bibles and knowlege of early Quaker meetings were resourceful for Dunn's Quaker's  and those Western Bladen folk.  Before long a Richard Townsend the weathest land owner south of Lumberton, N.C. named his ahbury pioneers "Raynham". He produced the finest antibellum sons in the region, but few of the scattered "Townsends" in our developing land recorded who begot who and by whom, for posterity.  After FDR's funding provided for Harlee's Kinfolk, some family matching began to take place. I began my quest in 1989, and looked backwards to Thomas born about 1725. The book is a tale of how this search began, was done, and  it list the details of discovery. I draw conclusions lost in time for almost 200 years. The book developed in 30 years of research. It is intimate, base, and tells it like it was. You will enjoy the longserving quest for an answer.  Daniel V. Townsend, High Point, NC  

A native of Fayetteville, North Carolina Daniel Townsend is proud of his last name. His father did not know much about the Townsend's of Robeson Co. NC nor of the Virginia roots, certainly not of Enlish heritage. There are 10,000 Townsends.

Daniel a graduate of Wake Forest University in 1966 and Fayetteville State is retired from Stride Rite (Keds) in 1996 and Guilford Co., NC schools on 12/31/08.

This father of four was determined to make a difference, and add something to the mystery created when his father was orphaned by a mother at age 5, and his dad at age 12. So, he began in 1979-80 to decipher the past and piece together this work on IN SEARCH of THOMAS (Townsend) cerca 1725.

He includes real history, visits, interviews abroad in England, trips to archives and salient meetings about Robeson and colonial america. He is especially fond of oral legends.

Townsend lives in High Point, NC today with his mini dachshunds Sophi and Greyson and may be reached for comments or details at 336 882 5677, or danieltownsendhighpoint@gmail.com. Daniel Varser Townsend, Jr