The Carman Family
.... he bore a family name
Townsend Carman
c. 1808
Virtually nothing is known of Townsend Carman, born c. 1808, possibly in New York state. He was given a traditional family
name, Townsend, which dated back to the Long Island days of the family when a Carman married into the Townsend family. There
were a number of Townsend Carmans in New York, some of them either uncles or cousins of Samuel's son.
It is known that he was at Sangamon Town as he was involved in a law suit in which Abraham Lincoln was one of the
attorneys. This was the Carman v. Glasscock, et. al. litigation filed in the Sangamon county, Ill., court November 4,
1838.
The case involved trespass, in which a load of corn was lost on a fish-trap dam on the Sangamon River. Filing suit. with
Townsend was a Jacob Carman, assumed to be his uncle.
This case was resolved March 5, 1840. The jury awarded the Plaintiffs $85 against two Defendants. The Plaintiff's
attorneys, Stuart and Lincoln, take nonsuit as to defendant John Strode; remaining three defendants recover costs.
(Official. court records of Sangamon Co. I11.) In the early history of Sangamon county keeping the Sangamon River
open for navigation was a very important matter. Later, of course, navigation on the river did not prove feasible.
As a result, Sangamon Town lost its strategic importance and dec lined as a trading center until it was finally
abandoned. The Carmans, engaged in milling, keeping the river open was essen tial and corn an important product.
The load of corn was prob ably being brought to the mill at Sangamon Town for grinding.
Naming Their Daughters
If anything, the Carmans in this branch of the family had talent in picking 'fanciful' names for their girls. Here are
some of them: Philadelphia (Phila); Freelove; Palsy; Lucretia; Lavinia; Cinderella; Blossom: Rosebud; Lilly Bell; Doll (y):
and Alera!
