Ridgefield but eight, and Ridgebury but four miles from Salem, but at such a distance from Norwalk that they can expect but very little service from the Rev. Mr. Learning ; whereupon we have unitedly sent our respective bonds to the Rev. Dr. Auchmaty, of New York, in trust, obliging ourselves to pay in each place equal to £10 sterling per annum, on the whole amounting to £30 per annum, to the missionary for the time being, aud we no longer expect the Society's favor than we shall continue to deserve it.'"a

Upon the receipt of this petition the Society granted their request, and appointed the Rev. Epenetus Townsend, A.M., missionary; a gentleman educated in King's college, and whose exemplary life and sober conversation, they have already had experience of. He was the third son of Micajah Townsend and Elizabeth Piatt, the grandson of John Townsend,6 of Oyster Bay, L. I., who settled at that place in 1677. He was born at Cedar Swamp, near Oyster Bay, in April, 1742, entered King's college (now Columbia) in 1755, was admitted Bachelor of Arts pro forma in 1758, and graduated Master of Arts in 1762. After officiating for a short time as a lay-reader, he went to England in the Fall of 1767, for Holy Orders.

a New York, MSS. from archives at Fnlham, vol. ii. p. 433-5. (TTnxrlcs.)

h This ancieut family deduces its deHcent from Ludovic, a noble Norman, who, settling in England during the reign of Henry I, assumed the surname of Townsend, and by marrying with Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of SirThomas Ue Havtlle, obtained the manor of Kaynhani, in the connty of Norfolk, which has ever since remained the possession of his descendants. Among the early English emigrants to Boston and its vicinity, were John, Henry and William Townsend, brothers.