January 1
William Dennis Townsend was my 5th great-grandfather. He was born on January 1, 1770 in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, England. His full life story is still proving to be quite elusive, but William seems to be the link that brought our branch of the Townsend family to North America. The town of Campden, where he was born, is a market town in the Cotswold district of Gloucestershire. The official name is "Chipping" Campden; the term "chipping" is an Old English word meaning "market". As a wool trading center in the Middle Ages, Chipping Campden enjoyed the patronage of wealthy wool merchants. It's High Street is lined with buildings built from local limestone known as Cotswold stone, and much of the town center is a designated conservation area. One of the oldest buildings in the town is this Grade 1 listed Market Hall. It was built in 1627 as a shelter for merchants and farmers selling their wares. The arched side walls are open to allow light a