Robert Townsend (spy)

Robert Townsend
Only surviving portrait of Robert Townsend
Born(1753-11-25)November 25, 1753
Oyster Bay, New York
DiedMarch 7, 1838(1838-03-07) (aged 84)
Oyster Bay, New York
Burial placeTownsend Cemetery
ChildrenRobert Townsend, Jr.
Espionage activity
Allegiance United States
Service branchCulper Ring
Service years1779–1782
Codename
  • Samuel Culper, Jr.
  • 723

Robert Townsend (November 25, 1753 – March 7, 1838)[1] was a member of the Culper Ring during the American Revolution. He operated in New York City with the aliases "Samuel Culper, Jr." and "723" and gathered information as a service to General George Washington. He is one of the least-known operatives in the spy ring and once demanded Abraham Woodhull ("Samuel Culper") never to tell his name to anyone, even to Washington.[2]

  1. ^ Alexander Rose. Washington's Spies. (New York: Bantam Dell, 2006) p. 135
  2. ^ Lynn Groh. The Culper Spy Ring. (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1969) p. 13