CIVIL WAR 113th NY ADJ GENERAL MAYOR ALBANY IRON INDUSTRIALIST DOCUMENT SIGNED !

Description

Here’s a Civil War Date Document Signed by the Honorable
FRANKLIN TOWNSEND
(1821 –1898)
19
th
CENTURY IRON INDUSTRIALIST,
ADJUTANT GENERAL OF NEW YORK 1869-1873
-&-
47
th
MAYOR OF ALBANY IN 1850.
When the Civil War broke out in the United States, Townsend became involved in raising the
113
th
New York Infantry Regiment which in December
1862
was converted to the
7th
NY Heavy Artillery.
Townsend was President of the Stirling Iron Works – Family Makers of the Hudson River Chain that Prevented the British Royal Navy from Sailing up the Hudson River during the American Revolutionary War!
Townsend was Active in Albany, NY Politics, Serving one Term as Whig Mayor of the City of Albany and Adjutant General of the State of New York from 1869-1873.
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HERE’S AN ATTRACTIVE CIVIL WAR DATE DOCUMENT SIGNED BY TOWNSEND – A BUSINESS CHECK DRAWN OFF THE “
TOWNSEND’S FURNACE AND MACHINE SHOP
” ACCOUNT AT THE “
NEW-YORK STATE BANK.
”
THE CHECK IS DATED AT ALBANY, MARCH 28
th
, 1863.
The check bears the 1
st
printing of the 2 cent US Internal Revenue “Bank Check” Washington Tax Stamp.
The document measures 7½” x 2-7/8” and is in VERY FINE CONDITION!
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF
FRANKLIN TOWNSEND
Franklin Townsend
(1821–1898) was descended from
Henry Townsend
one of the founders of
Oyster Bay
, New York. He was a 19th century industrialist, active in his family's iron business which was a branch of the
Stirling Iron Works
, the maker of the
Hudson River Chain
that prevented the
British Royal Navy
from sailing up the
Hudson River
during the
American Revolutionary War
. He was active in Albany politics, serving as an Alderman and one term as Mayor of the City. He served as Adjutant General of the State of New York from 1869-1873.
Birth and Family
General Franklin Townsend was born on 28 September 1821 to Isaiah and Hannah Townsend Townsend in Albany New York. Franklin's younger brother was
Robert Townsend (Captain)
, a ship's commander in the American Civil War who lost his life while on duty in China. Townsend's maternal grandfather was
Solomon Townsend
, a midshipman in the Colonial United States Navy, merchant ship captain, and active in the iron business in New York State through the Augusta Forge which he established in
Tuxedo, New York
. It could be said that iron ran in the family's blood since Townsend's great uncle, Peter Townsend, established and ran the
Stirling Iron Works
which forged the great
Hudson River Chain
which was strung across the
Hudson River
just south of the important American base at
West Point
, New York.
On January 15, 1852 Franklin Townsend married Anna Josephine King, the daughter of Rufus H and Amelia Laverty King, in Albany. They had two children. Rufus King Townsend was born in Albany New York March 18, 1853 died there December 21, 1895 He was educated at the Albany Academy and at Williams College and eventually headed his father's iron business. Townsend's second son was Franklin Junior, born in Albany on 4 November 1854 and died there on 31 October 1895. He was educated at the Albany Academy and Williams College and studied at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. After graduation he received practical medical training in Germany and built his career practicing medicine in Albany where he was highly respected.
Iron Business
Franklin Townsend's father, Isaiah established his own metals business in partnership with his brother
John
1804 called "I & J Townsend."
The firm was involved in the buying and selling of iron and produced in their foundry machine castings and railcar wheels. Franklin joined the business as a young man in 1849 upon the death of his uncle
John Townsend
along with John's son Theodore, (Franklin's first cousin). In 1856 he changed the business to a sole proprietor by the name of "Franklin Townsend & Co." until 1871 when his older son Rufus King Townsend succeeded him.
Military career
When the Civil War broke out in the United States, Townsend became involved in raising the One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment which in December 1862 was converted to the Seventh Heavy Artillery. Recruitment lasted from July 24, 1862 to 18 August and raised 1,100 men.
The regiment left Albany the next day bound for Washington.
Townsend was appointed Adjutant General of the State of New York for five years January 1, 1869 to 1873.
Political career
Townsend was active in Albany city politics, serving as a supervisor alderman and member of assembly. He was elected the 47th mayor of Albany April 9, 1850 on the Whig party ticket, following in the footsteps of his uncle
John Townsend
, the 37th Mayor of Albany.
Commercial Interests
In addition to his involvement in the family's iron business, Townsend was president of the New York State National Bank 1867 to 1879 and vice president of the Albany Savings Bank.
Death
Franklin Townsend died at his home at 4 Elk Street, Albany NY on 11 September 1898. His body is interred at the
Albany Rural Cemetery
in Albany.
I am a proud member of the Universal Autograph Collectors Club (UACC), The Ephemera Society of America, the Manuscript Society and the American Political Items Collectors (APIC) (member name: John Lissandrello).
I subscribe to each organizations' code of ethics and authenticity is guaranteed. ~Providing quality service and historical memorabilia online for over 20 years.~
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