The son of Paul Townsend of Bristol, potter, and the brother of John Townsend.
| 1753 | 20 Sep. He was apprenticed to his parents (A, Ao, Ar). |
| 1774 | 6 Oct. He became a free potter (F, G). |
| 1774 | Potter, Temple parish (P). |
| 1776 | 18 Apr. Possibly the Joseph Townsend who was employed at Richard Champion’s Castle Green Pottery, when he was accused of stealing a quantity of china (Q). |
| 1776 | 25 Apr. ‘Thursday was committed to Newgate, Joseph Townsend, labourer, for stealing a quantity of earthen-ware, the property of Mr Richard Champion’ (BG). |