Asa Townsend
Columbus, Colorado County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(1795-1876) Born in South Carolina, Asa Townsend was reared in Georgia, where he married Rebecca Harper (1805-1857). They moved from Florida to Colorado County in 1838 with their large family. An active civic leader, Townsend served on the committee to adopt measures for the annexation of Texas to the U.S. in 1845, and was a member of the Colorado River Navigation Association. During reconstruction he organized successful ventures into Mexico. He was active in the Methodist church and area Masonic lodges. Rebecca and Asa, who were the parents of 15, are interred in the cemetery at Borden, Texas. (1997)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Born in South Carolina and raised in Georgia, Asa Townsend moved his large family from Florida to Colorado County, Texas, in 1838. A civic leader, he served on the committee advocating Texas's 1845 annexation to the United States and belonged to the Colorado River Navigation Association. During Reconstruction he organized ventures into Mexico and remained active in the Methodist church and Masonic lodges.
Why it matters
Townsend's life follows the settlement of Texas through independence, annexation, and Reconstruction, the story of a frontier family putting down civic roots.
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Related people
- · Asa Townsend
- · Rebecca Harper Townsend
Themes & tags
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