Solomon Samuel Townsend (1805-1880)

He was born at Oyster Bay, L.I., and at an early age came to New York to be a merchant. After an approved clerkship, he sailed as supercargo to China as early as 1825, on the largest merchant ship then sailing from New York. After learning the business there, when his brother-in-law, Edward H. Nicoll, died he returned to New York to join the firm of S.T. Nicoll & Co., which became Townsend, Clinch, & Dike until Clinch died in 1872. Outside of business, Townsend was elected to the State Assembly in 1840, 1841, and 1842, and was the recognized representative of the merchants. In 1846, he was one of the delegates from New York City to the convention to frame a constitution, and in 1866 he represented Queens County in the constitutional convention of that year - the only a member to attend both conventions. The banking laws, the warehouse system, the board of education, the city college, and almost all the improved methods in public affairs engaged his attention. He was a fireman and captain of militia, as well as an antiquarian and has favored our Society repeatedly. In 1849, he married Helene DeKay Townsend and they had six children. He died at their home in Oyster Bay, Long Island.