When Silvanus Townsend was born on 27 February 1784, in Dutchess, New York, United States, his father, Thomas Jr. Townsend, was 54 and his mother, Rachel Sunderland, was 50. He had at least 5 sons and 5 daughters with Henah Cole. He lived in Cambria, Niagara, New York, United States in 1860. He died on 17 September 1864, at the age of 80, and was buried in North Ridge Cemetery, North Ridge, Cambria, Niagara, New York, United States.