Mrs. Abbie C.K. Townsend and Mrs. Geo. Banks Die of Pneumonia Sisters, 84 and 74, Last Family Long Prominent This Section Succumb Within Two Days. Mrs. Townsend's Funeral at Late Home Tuesday. Service for Mrs. Banks Held Thursday. Wide Circle of Friends Pay Last Tribute. Both Descendants of Col. Henry Ludington. Mrs. Abbie C.K. Townsend and Mrs. George Banks, sisters, and the last of a family of seven children, long prominent in this section, died at their homes in Patterson during the past week. Each sister died of pneumonia, which developed from colds on New Year's day when the last family gathering was held at the home of Mrs. Townsend. The death of these two women came as a great shock throughout the community and in the neighboring towns where they were well known and active in church and social circles for many years. They were daughters of the late David and Emeline Baldwin Kent and were born at the homestead near Ludingtonville, now owned by S.W. Huff. They were descendants of two of the oldest and best known families of the county, being also a descendant of Col. Henry Ludington, who had a prominent part in the Continental army activities during the Revolution. Their father was born in the town of Kent, named after the family. He began life teaching school but devoted most of his life to agriculture. He had an active part in the social, religious and political life of his community and was one of the organizers of the Putnam County Bank and Bank of Kent and was the first president of these institutions. On their maternal side, they were descendants of the well known Baldwin family, their mother being a daughter of James Baldwin. Mrs. Townsend was the oldest of the family of children and came within two days of being the last surviving. She was born Jan. 24, 1848, and would have been 84 years old had she lived until that day this month. She attended the schools at Ludingtonville, Farmers Mills and Towners, the Raymond Institute at Carmel, a Ladies' Seminary at Peekskill and the Amenia seminary. She possessed an unusually keen mind and her education did not stop when she completed her course at boarding school but continued throughout her whole life by wide reading, a close following of world events and a sympathetic interest in all humanity. Her mind was a storehouse of much of the best in literature and history, and she was often called upon for articles and historical sketches for public meetings. Every plan for public improvement and progress expected and received her interest and financial support. Her mind and heart were also richly stored with Bible wisdom and her gift for leadership in public prayer will long be remembered. Early in life she united with the Ludingtonville Baptist church and later brought her letter to the Patterson Baptist church where in the Missionary and Ladies' Aid societies and in all departments of church life and activity she was a constant help which will be sadly missed. Her father died in 1870 and six years later the family purchased and moved to the Coleman Haines residence in Patterson where Mrs. Townsend had since resided. In February, 1881, she became the wife of Daniel K. Townsend. He died in April, 1894. Surviving Mrs. Townsend are three sons, Irving S., Clarence and Gordon Townsend, all of Patterson and two grandchildren, Gordon K., Jr., and Raymond Clayton. Her sister, Mrs. Banks, who was critically ill, and who died a few days later, was unaware of her sister's death. She was a charter and active member of the Enoch Crosby Chapter of the D.A.R., and its chaplain. She had also for many years been active In the local and County W.O.T.U., and for years conducted the memorial services at the county meetings and in spite of lameness caused by a broken hip several years ago over which she had triumphed in her characteristically courageous way, was a regular and helpful attendant to within a few weeks of her death. Gifted also in a musical way she used this for helpful service as well as pleasure to herself. Mrs. Townsend had suffered three attacks of pneumonia and this last one of about one week's duration caused her death last Saturday noon, Jan 9, 1932. The funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at her late home at two o'clock and were very largely attended. They were in charge of Rev. Cornelius H. Otto, a former pastor of the Patterson Baptist Church, assisted by Rev. Charles A. McAlpin, of Brooklyn, a personal friend of the family, and Rev. J.T. Jones, the present pastor of the Patterson Baptist church. Two hymns, "My Jesus I Iove Thee" and "Lead Kindly Light," were sung by Mrs. Charles W. Williams, of Pawling. Interment was made in the family plot in the Four Corners Cemetery at Towners, six trustees of the Baptist church serving as bearers. They were J.W. Dykeman, Jr., Geo. S. Robinson, Byron H. Brewer, Eli B. Crosby, Beverly B. Ballard and George Penny. THE PUTNAM COUNTY COURIER, CARMEL, N.Y., Friday Afternoon, January 15, 1932.