Hello Nancy.
Yes I can help with the Otford Townsends as William and Sarah were my 4x great-grandparents. Sophia unfortunately died before she was eleven years old. Baptized on July 25th 1784 but buried on April 29th 1795 - both at Otford church. I am afraid that the Townsends did not rate gravestones much in those days and what few there were have long vanished.
Sophia had a sister Harriot (b.Dec.9th.1788) Don't know much about her other than that she had an illegitimate son William Stratton Townsend (the Strattons ran the local pub!). She also had two brothers: Charles (b.Feb 10 1787). He was a farmer and named his first daughter Sophia Maria after his sister(?). The other brother was my 3x great-grandfather William Henry. I think he is baptized July 30th 1790 but that child may not be him but an earlier one that dies in infancy and he is named the same a year or two later. There is conflict over his age in later documents. He is a farm bailiff (manager) and dies of a stroke on Feb 8th 1856.He has eight children.One of his sons, John (my great-great grandfather takes the family out of Otford and into London after the 1851 census and before the 1861. I believe that there are no Townsends left there now but I have discovered and met my very distant cousin Bob T who lives about two miles away from Otford!
I am happy to share other Townsend research but would like to know what your connexion is with us. Incidentally Bob and I have deposited our DNA results (which match after 8 generations of separation!) in the USA.We can trace the Townsends back to a common ancestor b. about 1670 but have difficulty before that due to the English Civil War I suspect.
Look forward to hearing from you. Use my email:
michael.townsend9@btinternet.com Regards
Michael