When the Revolution broke out he joined the American army, and was taken p risoner and confined in the Provost, New York, from whence he addressed t he following letter to his wife. The original is preserved at Washington 's Head-quarters, Newburgh, which is now owned by Eli Hasbrouck, the neph ew of his brother Johnís wife, and grandson of Mercy Townsend, daught er of Samuel. (See Samuel, of George 2st, Chap. VII.)

ìCATALOGUE 146.
ì PROVOST, NEW YORK, August 2d, 1782

"DEAR SARAH:-I have the satisfaction to inform you, by Colonel St. Joh n, of Norwalk, who goes out tomorrow on parole, that I enjoy a good sta te of health, and am well supplied with the necessities of life. Hope my f riends in the country have not forgot me. I would not wish to enterta in a thought but they will use their endeavors to procure my exchange, b ut must confess I am at a loss for the reason that that has not been do ne before this time. I have repeatedly been informed that there are a numb er of prisoners at West Point, Peeks¨kill, and Poughkeepsie, for whom, pos sibly, I could have been exchanged before this time, if properly at¨tend ed to. My best respects to all friends, Captain Sackett and Messrs. Fish a nd Sackett in particular, and beg that they would, without delay, app ly in my behalf to their Excellencies General Washington and Governor Clin ton, which I no doubt will have the desired effect. However, as the fortu ne of war brought me here, I hope you make yourself as easy as possible un der present difficulties, as I am determined patiently to wait the wished- for day when I may enjoy the happiness¨ness of being present with my famil y.
ìYour most affectionate husband,
ìSAMUEL TOWNSEND.

" To MRS. SARAH TOWNSEND, Bedford."

Townsend Memorial, pp. 169-170