William Townshend (colonial governor)

William Townshend (c. 1745 {some sources state 1762} – December 5, 1816) was a British politician and office holder, operating mainly in the colony of Prince Edward Island.

He married Flora Stewart (b.1767 d.1843), the daughter of Chief Justice Peter Stewart, in c. 1790, and together they had eight children: Much of William Townshend's early life is unclear, up until the point when he became collector of customs and naval officer for St. John's Island (today known as Prince Edward Island).

Townshend had a secure place with the government of the colony, and was soon involved in Patterson's scheme to seize land from absentee landlords.

However, the goods and the schooner used to transport them were eventually seized and sold off at the order of the Vice admiralty court.

In 1791, Cambridge, other merchants and even some absentee landlords named Townshend as one of the men trying to form an illegal faction to rule the island.

This statement, together with Townshend's actions in exposing Patterson in 1788, may well be considered part of William Pitt's campaign to stiffen up Customs regulations and to clear up smuggling that had become rampant under Lord North's ministry.

William Townshend was so ill by the time he became Acting Governor, that he had to gather the strength to raise himself out of bed to sign in his new position.

By the time he was replaced by Charles Douglass Smith as Governor on July 24, 1813, Townshend was quite satisfied with what he had accomplished on Prince Edward Island.