Isaiah Townsend (1777-1838) and John Townsend (1783-1854) were merchants in Albany, N.Y. The brothers and their heirs, Franklin, Theodore and Rufus, were active in business and political developments of the day. Their business interests began and were concentrated in the iron trade but also included salt production, railroads, steamboats, real estate in New York and other states, banking, and insurance. John was a member of the Whig Party and Mayor of Albany in 1829, 1830, and 1832. John Townsend is mentioned in 18341205WHS_FMS1. As Mayor of Albany, was praised by his handling of the Cholera outbreak. Married to Abby Spencer Townsend.