Tradition lives because
young people come along
who catch its romance
and add new glories to it.
(Michael Novak)

Gone are the days of what I call real craftsmanship, when everything was done/made by hand and not pumped out by the billions from a factory or huge machinery cutting the corps and ploughing the fields, where once stood hard working men earning a humble honest living.
It’s really sad when you think about it. 
Trades that were passed from Father to Son, Mother to Daughter, seem to be a thing of the past, as the rat race we now live in, means lining our pockets is more important than finding pride in your trade/craft and passing that knowledge onto our Bairns.
This weeks ancestor was lucky to learn a craft, that is slowly becoming forgotten as computer programming takes over and one-off masterpieces are very few and far between. Those whom are still skilled in a craft are a dying breed and that saddens my soul. I hope that they will pass on their trade, skill, knowledge and passion to their offsprings, as my 2nd Great Grandfather, Charles Frederick Joseph Townsend, did.
Let me tell you a little more about his life, a life where the grime reaper seemed to be only a few feet behind hiding in the shadows, waiting patiently to pounce.

Charles Frederick Joseph Townsend aka Frederick, was born on the 10th March 1875, to Jesse Townsend and Catherine Fielder, at 29 Anglesa Terrace, Southampton, Hampshire, England.
His Father, Jesse was working as a Labour. Catherine registered Charles Birth on the 14th April 1875. Catherine’s maiden name has been listed as Carter and not Fielder.
Hmmmm, did Catherine die and he remarried a different Catherine? I do not think this is the case as all other children have their mothers maiden name as Fielder on their birth index’s.
Was it a simple mistake on his birth certificate???

On the 15 June 1778, Charles Mother and Father, Jesse and Catherine, have their 5th daughter. They named her Catherine Annie Townsend. She was born at, Number 5, Winchester Terrace, Southampton, Hampshire, England.
Jesse was working as a Marine Stoker.
Catherine registered her birth on the 26th July 1878.

Catherine Annie Townsend, was christened on the 14 July 1878 at St. Mary’s Church, Southampton.

On the 1881 national census, taken on the 3rd April 1881, the Townsend family, Jesse, Catherine, Rose, Alfred, Edward, Charles and Catherine Annie, were still residing at Number 5, Winchester Terrace, sharing their home with the West family, Harry and Clara who were lodgers, also Ada Scott – lodger, George Lucas and his wife Mary who were also lodgers. 
Jesse’s occupation is listed as a S.S.Fireman (Seaman).

Name Age Jessie Townsend 46 Katherine Townsend 44 Rose Townsend 17 Alfred J. Townsend 11 Edward H. Townsend 8 Charles F. Townsend 6 Katherine A. Townsend 3 Harry West 23 Clara West 21 Ada Scott 26 George Lucas 23 Mary Lucas 23

About 1884 Charles, Brother Frank, was born in, Southampton, Hampshire, England.
Frank is a tricky one. I can’t find him on the birth indexes and only on the 1891 and 1901 census returns.

Unfortunately I haven’t been able to find a 1891 census return for Charles.

However I found him a few years later, marring the love of his life Rosa Alice Freak, Daughter of, William Harry Freak and Eliza Stockwell.
They marry on the 31st March 1895 at the Parish Church of St Mary’s, Southampton.
Rosa’s brother, Charles William Freak and her sister, Mary Jane Freak were their witnesses.
At the time of their marriage, Charles Frederick is residing at 20 Princess Street, Southampton, Hampshire and he is working as a butcher. He gave his name as Frederick Charles Townsend.Rosa Alice is residing at 20 Edward Street, Southampton, Hampshire.

Rosa was pregnant when she married, as their first Son, Frederick William Townsend, was born on the 7th September 1895, at Number 1, Dickerson’s Place, Coleman Street, Southampton, Hampshire, England.
Charles was working as a Butcher Journeyman. He gave his name as Frederick Charles Townsend. Rosa Alice, registered his birth on the 17th October 1895.

On the 20th May 1897 Charles Frederick and Rosa, welcomed their first Daughter, Katherine Ethel Townsend, into their family.
She was born at home at 1 Winchester place, Kingsland, Southampton, Hampshire, England.
Kingsland is an area to the east of the city centre, bounded by North Front, South Front, Palmerston Road and St Mary Street. In the medieval period it was open ground belonging to the crown, hence its name. In the 12th century it was given by Richard I to St Denys Priory and in the 13th century it was purchased by the town. It is not known for what purpose the land was then used, but it seems that at least part of it was covered in orchards as there are references to cider making. From the early 19th century the area was developed into a criss-cross of streets with terraces of back-to-back houses providing accommodation for working people. Most of the buildings were demolished in the 1930s as part of a slum clearance scheme and were replaced by modern blocks of flats after World War Two.
Charles Frederick was working as a Butcher Journeyman. He gave his name as Frederick Charles Townsend.
Rosa Alice registered their Daughter Katherine Ethel’s birth, on the 1st July 1897.

 

Not even a year later Charles and Rosa, welcome a second Daughter into their family.
They named her Rosa Blanche Townsend.
Rosa Blanche, was born on the 1st November 1898 at Number 1, Winchester Place, Craven Street, Southampton, Hampshire.
Charles Frederick was working as a Butcher Journeyman.
Rosa Alice registered their Daughter Rosa Blanche’s birth, on the 12th December 1898.

A year later a accidental fire from a paraffin lamp, roared through the Townsends home, Number 1 Winchester Place, Craven Street, Southampton.
The Southampton Borough Fire Brigade received a call at five minutes to six on Tuesday 7th November 1899. Arriving at the scene they found The Townsends back room in flames.
The fire brigade quickly extinguished the fire but not before poor Rosa had sustained severe burns in her heroic rescue of two of her children Katherine Ethel and Rosa Blanche.
Rosa,Katherine and baby Rosa were taken to the Royal South Hants Hospital Infirmary. 
Charles and Rosa’s, two baby girls were in serious condition and heartbreakingly both died from the effects of the burns from the fire.

Katherine Ethel, died just two hours after being admitted to The South Hants Infirmary Hospital, Southampton, Hampshire, on the 7th November 1899.
Katherine Ethel, was only 2 years old.
Her cause of death was from, Shock from burns about the body and face caused by the accidental upsetting of a paraffin lamp.
An inquest was held at the Royal South Hants from the 9th November to the 23rd November 1899

Rosa Blanche died in the early hours of Wednesday the 8th November 1899, at The South Hants Infirmary Hospital, Southampton, Hampshire, She was only 1 years old.
Her cause of death was from, Shock from burns about the body and face caused by the accidental upsetting of a paraffin lamp.
An inquest was held at the Royal South Hants, from the 9th November to the 23rd November 1899

Charles and Rosa laid their two daughters to rest on the 11 November 1899 at Southampton Old Cemetery.
They were buried in Row O, block 143, number 212.

Sadly they do not have a headstone but my friend Bruce kindly located their resting place, cleared the area and marked their grave with a cross. What a lovely kind man he is. I can’t thank him enough for all he has done for me and my ancestors who lay in unmarked graves. 

I wish by the 1901 census, Charles Frederick, Rosa and their son Frederick William, would be living somewhere new but unfortunately they are still living in 1 Winchester Place, Southampton.
I can only imagine the horror that was felt in those four walls, the horrific memories that must have haunted them. How do you even begin to heal living in a place that stole your two beautiful daughters?
They had a lodger called George Giles living with them.
Charles Frederick was working as an Joiners Labourer, I’m guessing it wouldn’t have been the best pay, but what a skill to have. He gave his name as Frederick Charles Townsend.

Name	Age
Frederick Townsend	25
Rosa Townsend	23
F W Townsend	5
George Giles	56

Charles Frederick and Rosa Alice, welcomed a new baby into their home and hearts, on the 1st October 1902, a Daughter whom they call, Lily Louisa Townsend.
Lily Louisa Townsend, was born at Number 1 Winchester Place, Craven Street, Southampton, Hampshire, England.
Charles Frederick was working as a Joiners Labourer. He gave his name as Frederick Charles Townsend. Rosa Alice Townsend Nee Freak, registered Lily Louisa Townsend birth on the 27th October 1902.

March the 17th 1905, Charles Father, Jesse Townsend died at 31 Derby Road, Southampton, Hampshire, England.

He was 62 years old and died from Pneumonia, 6 days.
Charles Brother, Edward H Townsend registered their fathers death on the 17th March 1905.
Jesses occupation was given as a Marine Engineer.

Charles and his family buried his Father, Jesse Townsend, on the 20th March 1905, at Southampton Old Cemetery, Southampton, Hampshire in Row N, Block 153, Number 91.

More heartbreak followed when Charles Mother, Catherine Townsend nee Fielder, died on the 4th April 1905, at Melbourne Street, Southampton, Hampshire, England.

Catherine was 65 and died from, Chronic Bronchitis and Acute Bronchitis.
Charles Brother, Edward H Townsend registered their Mothers death on the 5th April 1905.

The Townsends laid Catherine Townsend Nee Fielder, to rest on the 7th April 1905, at Southampton Old Cemetery, Southampton, Hampshire, with her Husband Jesse Townsend, in Row N, Block 153, Number 91.

Could you imagine loosing your Father and Mother not even a month apart?
How awfully traumatic that would have been for the family. I can’t even begin to imagine how they must have been feeling, how they coped, how they survived.

On the 28 January 1906, Charles Frederick’s Wife Rosa, gave birth to a gorgeous baby boy, Jesse Edward Townsend, my great-grandfather. 
He was born at 197 Radcliffe Road, Southampton, Hampshire.
Charles Frederick was working as a Joiners Labourer. He gave his name as Frederick Charles Townsend. Rosa Alice, Register their Sons birth on the 6th March 1906.

The family kept on growing and the Townsend family welcome Alfred Leonard Townsend into the family.
Alfred was born on the 17th October 1908 in Southampton, Hampshire, at Number 59, Lower Alfred Street, Southampton, Hampshire, England.
Charles Frederick was working as a Butcher Journeyman.
Rosa Alice, Register their Sons birth on the 26th November 1908.

Charles and Rosa 4th baby girl was born, on the 5th January 1910 in Southampton.
They named her, Hilda Rosa Townsend.
Hilda Rosa Townsend was born at Number 30, Empress Road, Southampton, Hampshire, England, Rosa Alice Freak, age was 32, and Charles Frederick Joseph Townsend, was 34. Charles was working as a Butcher Journeyman. He gave his name as Charles Frederick Townsend. Rosa Alice Townsend nee Freak, registered Hilda’s birth on the 10th February 1910.

On the 2nd April 1911 the census was taken.
The Townsend family, Charles Frederick, Rosa Alice, Frederick William, Lily, Jesse, Alfred and Hilda were still living at 30 Empress Road, Southampton. They are occupying 4 rooms.
Charles Frederick is working at a Joinery works.
Their son Frederick William is working as a Butchers Porter.
Rosa and Charles had been married 16 years, they have had 7 children, 5 were still living and 2 had died. Bless their tiny souls.

Name	Age
Charles Frederick Townsend	37
Rosa Alice Townsend	35
Frederick William Townsend	15
Lily Townsend	9
Jesse Townsend	5
Alfred Townsend	2
Hilda Townsend	1

Charles Frederick and Rosa Alice had a baby boy on the 21st July 1911.
They named him, Henry Charles Townsend.
Henry was born at Number 30, Empress Road, Southampton, Hampshire, England.
Charles Frederick was working as a Joiners Labourer. He gave his name as Frederick Charles Townsend. Rosa Alice, registered Henry Townsend’s birth, on the 28th August 1911.

And on the 23rd March 1913, their 5th son, George Robert Townsend is born, at 30 Empress Road, Southampton, Hampshire, England.
Charles Frederick was working as a Sawyer’s Labourer. He once again gave his name as Frederick Charles Townsend. Rosa registered George Robert Townsend’s birth, on the 21st April 1913.

Charles and Rosa, welcomed their 5th Daughter into the household on the 23rd November 1914. They named her Louisa Florence Eliza Townsend .
She was born at Number 30, Empress Road, Southampton, Hampshire, England. Charles Frederick was working as a Shipbuilder Labourer.
Rosa Alice, registered Louisa Florence Eliza Townsend’s birth, on the 21st December 1914

Leslie James Townsend, Charles and a Rosa’s 6th Son, who was born on the 25 June 1917, at Number 30, Empress Road, Southampton, Hampshire, England.
Charles Frederick was working as a Sawyers Labourer.
Rosa Alice registered Leslie James Townsends birth, on the 16th July 1917.

 On the 20th January 1931, Charles, Mother In-Law Eliza Freak nee Stockwell died at the age of 81. She died at her home, Number 102, Northumberland Road, Southampton, Hampshire, England, with her daughter Rosa Alice at her side.

She died from, Carcinoma of bowel (Large).
Rosa Alice registered her mum’s death on the 21st January 1931.

Eliza Freak nee Stockwell, was laid to rest on the, 24th January 1931, at Southampton Old Cemetery, Southampton, Hampshire in Row P, Block 135, Number 282.

By 1939, Charles, Rosa, their daughter Hilda and son Leslie had moved to 11 Wilton Road, Southampton, Hampshire.

Rosa was an unpaid domestic.
Charles is working as a Ship Yard Labourer.
Hilda is an employee Shop Assistant.
Leslie is a Provision Assistant.

1941 brought more sorrow, when their oldest son Frederick William Townsend, died on September 23, 1941, at The Borough Hospital, Shirley, Southampton, Hampshire, England, when he was 46 years old. He died from Carcinoma of Esophagus, Cancer of the Esophagus. His Daughter Gladys Townsend of Number 133, Laundry Road, Southampton, registered Fredericks death on the 24th September 1941. His occupation was given as a Wood Machinist and his residence as Number 133, Laundry Road, Southampton, Hampshire, England.

Charle Frederick had seen so many births, the horrific passing of his two daughters and the death on his oldest son. Yet he had to watch as his wife Rosa’s heart failed and heartbreakingly passed away at 5 Waterhouse Lane, Southampton, Hampshire, on the 28th January 1965 at the grand age of 87.

Alices cause of death was from,

1A – Cardiac Failure.
B – Myocarditis
C – Arteric Sclerosis (Arteriosclerosis).

Their Daughter Hilda Compton nee Townsend, registered Rosa Alice Townsend Nee Freak’s, death on the 29th January 1965.

William and his family laid Rosa, to rest at the Southampton Old Cemetery, Southampton, Hampshire, on February 1st 1965, in grave number P135/282.
You can read all about Rosa Alice Townsend nee Freak, life here.
 

Unfortunately death loamed in the darkness, waiting to take its next victim.
Charles Frederick once again had to live through another of his children’s death when my Great Grandfather Jesse Townsend, was sat at his home, Number 100, Milton Road, Southampton, Hampshire, England, with his youngest daughter Lynn, on his knee when his heart gave up and he heartbreakingly died.

Jesse was only 59 when his life was cut way too short on the 21st November 1965.
He died from 
1a – Acute Congestive Left Heart Failure.
B – Myocardial Infarction.
C – Coronary Atheroma.
Natural causes.
A post mortem was held without inquest.
My Grandfather George Frederick Townsend, Jesses Son, registered his Fathers death on the 24th November 1965.

Jesse Edward Townsend, was laid to rest at South Stoneham. I am desperately trying to find his grave location and date of burial. My kind hearted friend Bruce is on the case for me, so hopefully soon we will be able to locate his resting place.

Roughly 15 months later, after a life time of heartache, Charles Frederick Joseph Townsend, life came to an end when he died at Brownhill House, Southampton, Hampshire, England, on April 1st 1967.
He was 92 years old and died from 
1A – Hyocarditis
B – Arterio Sclerosis 
Charles occupation was listed as a retired Wood Machinist.
His son, Lessie James Townsend, registered Charles death on the 3rd April.

Brownhill House was once owned by,Augustus Hills Cobbold (1854 – 1931) and his third wife Ellen Stanley nee Townsend, before it become a Care Home in 1954. I wonder if Ellen was a relation  of our Townsends?

Charles William Joseph Townsend, was laid to rest on the 7th April 1967, at Southampton Old Cemetery, Southampton, Hampshire, England, in Row P, Block 135, Number 282.  His Wife Rosa Alice Townsend Nee Freak, George Stockwell, Elizabeth Stockwell Nee Wren, Edward Stockwell, Eliza Freak nee Stockwell and George Freak, were all buried in the same family plot.

It’s funny how some can swim through life without a care in the world, happiness of births, marriages, christenings and Christmas being the only reason for family gatherings and some face heartbreak, loss and death at every corner.
Charles was one of the unlucky ones who saw more death than anyone ever should, buried 4 of his children and the love of his life.
Life was certainly cruel to him but he stood tall and faced every hurdle the best he could and lived a long life surrounded by family.
He passed his trade, skills and knowledge onto his bairns and a mountain of memories to his descendants. He was loved and he loved wholeheartedly. He survived when others would have crumbled.
He now is reunited with the ones he loves, he can once again hold his baby girls in his arms and smile. 

May he rest in peace in the knowledge that he was a survivor!

Charles Frederick Joseph Townsend
1875 – 1967
🦋🦋🦋

Thanks again to Bruce for locating burial locations for me and for his lovely header photo of Southampton Old Cemetery. I think he may just be the kindest man I know.

I have brought and paid for all certificates throughout Intwined.blog. Please do not download or use them without my permission.
Thank you.