Lewis & Maria (Trumbull) Townsend

Maria Villetta Trumbull was born in 1821, in Pittsford, New York.  Maria is the daughter of James and Harriett (Hart) Trumbull.  Maria migrated with her family to Michigan sometime in the late 1820s.

It was here in Michigan, Superior Township to be exact, that the two grew up and fell in love.  Lewis Townsend and Maria V. Trumbull were married July 7, 1834 or 1838.  They lived on a farm in Superior Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan.   Maria and Lewis lived on Ridge Road, next door to Lewis' father and step mother, Ezra and Mary. 

During Maria and Lewis' live together, they purchased land from James Trumbull in 1854.   Later, Maria and Lewis traveled to Marshall, Michigan, which today is a quaint historic town with antique stores and old Victorian homes that have been restored.   It was here in Marshall and Marengo Township that the Lewis' spent the rest of their lives raising their children, Villetta T., Owen L., Jerome B., Miles.  In 1894 at the time of his death, Lewis lived in a home on the northeast corner of Marshall and Prospect Streets. 

Maria Villetta Trumbull Townsend died on February 6, 1885 in Marengo County, Michigan of pneumonia.

An afternote: Lewis Townsend died of Bright's Disease in Marshall on August 25, 1894, he was 76 years and 9 months old.   According to the Probate #57-037 of Marshall, Michigan, Lewis Townsend had a second wife, Caroline.  Lewis left an estate valued at $280,000.00.  Lewis' will mentions a niece Lucina Coleman and nephew Lewis K. Townsend and a brother George W.

Taken from Portrait Biographical Album of Calhoun County, Michigan.  Published by: Chapman 1891, Page 818

Lewis, in 1836 set out from his father's pioneer home in Washtenaw County with his few belongings tied in a handkerchief, and with an a over his shoulder made his way on foot to Grand Rapids, Michigan.  A distance of 160 miles.  The present populous flourishing city of that name was then but an insignificant hamlet in the woods.  During his stay of 14 or 15 months, Lewis cut 150 cords of wood right where the business part of the city now stands.  He returned to Washtenaw County and with a part of the money which he had earned, be bought 25 acres of land in Superior Township and soon, with the aid of Miss Maria Trumbull, to whom he married July, 7, 1938, be became possessed of a home.

Lewis sold his property in 1851 and bought 440 acres in Marengo Township, Calhoun County, Michigan.

Maria Townsend, first wife of Lewis, died February 6, 1885.  Maria was born near Pittsford, New York.  Her parents were James and Harriet Hart Trumbull who were from central New York and were among the pioneers of Washtenaw County.