Newspaper editor; lawyer.  Born– 1806, Greenville, South Carolina.  Parents–Samuel A. and Rachel Stokes Townes.  Married– Joanna Lois Hall, January 23, 1834. .  Children– eight.  Education–University of Virginia; read law in Abbeville, South Carolina.  Admitted to the bar in 1829; opened a partnership with a friend; founded a newspaper called the Whig.  Moved to Marion, Alabama, in 1833, partly due to ill health.  Opened a law partnership with Col. Henry C. Lea in 1834; edited the Alabama Mercury, 1835-1837; purchased the Plantation Hotel in 1838.  Acquired land in the area.  Conducted a newspaper in the mid-1840’s.  Returned to South Carolina in December 1847; edited the Greenville Mountaineer  and became active in politics.  Died 1873.

Source:

Allen, Lee N.  “Biographical Sketch of Samuel A. Townes,” The History of Marion, Alabama.  Samford University Library Research Series, No. 7.  Birmingham, Al.: Samford University,1985.

 

Publications:

The History of Marion, Alabama.  Marion, 1844.  Rpt. Samford University Library Research Series, No. 7.  Birmingham, AL:  Samford, 1985.

Papers;

A collection of letters and papers of Samuel A. Townes is held by the South Caroliniana Library at the University of South Carolina.