One Name Place Study: Jno Townsend of Groveport Ohio

Previously I wrote about the success of finding a relative by using the One Name Place Study method.  Let's continue investigating the remaining Townsends in the 1880 US Census for Franklin County, Ohio.

As you'll remember, I am in the process of investigating the Townsends of Franklin County, Ohio in an effort to find relatives of William James Townsend who was born around 1842 in Franklin County, Ohio.

The next one is Jno Townsend born about 1836 in Ohio, with parents originally from Maryland. Jno is working as a farm laborer.

Jno Townsend of Year: 1880; Census Place: Groveport, Franklin, Ohio; Roll: 1015; Family History Film: 1255015;
Page: 261C; Enumeration District: 013; Image: 0628

His household is situated in Groveport. Franklin County, Ohio which is 11 miles west of Groveport. As mentioned in Perry Townsend's post, I'd love to see where all the Townsends located on a map during this time period.

Jno's household in 1880 consists of three other persons: 

1. Mary A Townsend b. 1833  in Pennsylvania (wife, parents from PA )
2. Ida Isadory Townsend b 1868 in Ohio (daughter, 12)
3. Frank Townsend b (son, 14)

With Jno and Edward listed sequentially in the 1880 Census and having children (or a niece) that are both named Frank and Ida. And with their parents both being from Maryland... I have used indirect evidence to support the theory that John and Edward are brothers. And if they are brothers, and Ida in the home of Edward is listed as his niece, then Jno would also be Ida's uncle and thus making Jno, Edward and my William James Townsend brothers.

But, it is possible that the census recorder made duplicate entries for the children in one home rather than the other? Is it possible that Ida in Edward's home is really the daughter of Jno?

In examining the 1870 US Census, I discovered that John and his wife and children Frank and Ida are living in a separate location than Edward and his wife with their son Frank. The only other Ida Townsend is in the home of her father William, my direct ancestor. Thus the question of possible duplicity of enumeration is ruled out.

It's important to note that I discovered from other documents that Jno is the abbreviated form of John Townsend. For the remainder of the discussion, I'll use John instead.

In 1860, John and his wife Mary have an Elizabeth Hawkes living with them. She is buried in the Obetz Cemetery (where many Townsends related to my William are buried). She is believed to not only be interconnected with the Townsends, but likely the mother of Mary, John's wife.

John and William Townsend listed on the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Consolidated Lists of Civil War Draft Registration Records (Provost Marshal General's Bureau; Consolidated Enrollment Lists, 1863-1865); Record Group: 110, 

I'd love to find more records for John Townsend (who may be the one who signs the enlistment the same days as William for the Civil War). Perhaps he or Edward will turn up the clues to take the line back in time, but at least now I'm fairly certain that I have found William's two brothers.


Previous Posts:
What I Know about William James Townsend

Where's Ida in the 1880 US Census? Who else was in the 1880 US Census?

Additional Reading:

That's Everyone Now What?