(1795-1876) Born in South Carolina, Asa Townsend was reared in Georgia, where he married Rebecca Harper (1805-1857). They moved from Florida to Colorado County in 1838 with their large family. An active civic leader, Townsend served on the committee to adopt measures for the annexation of Texas to the U.S. in 1845, and was a member of the Colorado River Navigation Association. During reconstruction he organized successful ventures into Mexico. He was active in the Methodist church and area Masonic lodges. Rebecca and Asa, who were the parents of 15, are interred in the cemetery at Borden, Texas. (1997)