315 



In Pewscy Churcli, on the north wall of the chancel between the 

 two lancet windows next to the altar, is a marble tablet, on which 

 is carved a chalice, an open book, and this inscription :— 

 Beneath this tablet rest 

 the mortal remains of 

 The Rcvd. Joseph Townsend, M.A., 

 formerly of Clare Hall, 

 in the University of Cambridge. 

 He departed this life on 6th day 

 of November, 1816, 

 in the 78th year of his age. 

 "With what diligence he strove to improve 

 the talents committed by his maker to his charge, 

 the remembrance of his labours for fifty-three years 

 in Christ's ministry, 

 during which time he was rector of this parish, 

 and the fruits of his researches after truth, 

 as weU religious, as moral, economical, and physical, 

 delivered in his writings, 

 bear a lasting testimony. 

 He was twice happily married. 

 First in 1773 to Joyce, the daughter of Thomas Nankivell, 

 of St. Agnes, in the county of Cornwall, gentleman, 

 by whom he had sis children. 

 She died in 1783, and was buried at Croydon, 

 in the county of Surrey. 

 In 1790 he married Lydia, 

 the widow of Adml. Sir John Clerke, Kt., 

 ■who was removed to a better world 

 on the 3rd of June, 1814, 

 in the 73rd year of her age, 

 and lies buried near this place. 

 Of Townsend's personal appearance we have this description 

 recorded by Mr. Warner (Lit. Rec, vol. ii , p. 97) :— 



" Tremendous, however, must have been his pulpit oratory, during the sera of 

 his religious excitation; for his stature was between six and seven feet in 

 height ; his arms were vast and long ; a forehead high, and broad, and marked 

 with mighty organs, indicated vivid imagination; intense fervour; inflexable 

 determination ; and all the sterner powers of the mind : and his voice, at all 

 times sepulchral; but, when exerted, of passing loudness ; was admirably 

 adapted, to arouse, to denounce, iind to alarm." 



Mr. Warner mentions in a foot-note that he had been very active 



