Townsend was born on December 21, 1768 in
Lattingtown, township of
Oyster Bay in what was then the
Province of New York, a part of
British America. He was the first son of Prior Townsend (1749–1803) and Sarah (
née Feake) Townsend (1750–1833). Among his siblings was Jacob Townsend, Hannah Townsend, Deborah Townsend and Hannah Townsend. ==Career==