146 A HISTORY OF LONGEIDGE. [Chap. 6. 



The Townleys of Dutton Hall. 



Tlie Townley family was a branch of the Towuleys, of Townley. 

 Dr. Whittaker saj's " that the Manor of Dutton continued with 

 the Townleys, of Townley until it was given to Eichard Townley, 

 a younger son, in whose descendants it remained till the death of 

 Henry Townlej-, whose sur\'iving daughter died in extreme old age, 

 Anno 1799." 



Walton, in his FamiUce Lancastriensis says that Eichard Townley, of 

 Dutton, was the lii-st of the Dutton branch, descended from the jsarent 

 stock. This Eichard Townley was living early in the 15th century, 

 circa 1400. Some authorities, however, make Henry Townley (who 

 lived two generations later), the first of the Dutton Townleys. 



Mr. W. A. Abram states that, " ' Henricus Towneley ' was a juror 

 on the Inquisition taken at Blackburn, after the death of Eichard 

 Towneley, Esq., on the 30th April, 1445. Henry Townley, of Dutton, 

 by Margaret his wife, had a son and heir Thomas ; and was living in 

 1474." 



Nothing is known, so far as I am aware, of Thomas Townley. His 

 son, Eichard Townley was married twice. By his first wife he had 

 three sons and one daughter. The third son Eobert was a clerk. By 

 his second wife Eichard Townley had no issue. 



Both in Dugdale's Visitation and the Familim Lancastriensis, John 

 Townley is named as second son of Eichard. But Mr. Abram seems 

 to prove conclusively that he was the eldest son, and, dying without 

 male heir, was succeeded in the estates by his brother Henry. ^ In the 

 the wills published by the Surtees Society, is the subjoined copy of 

 the will of John Townley. 



John Townley Parochi.e de Ribchestek. 



22 . . . 1562. I John Townlay of Dutton of the parishe of Rybchester, 

 gentylman — to be buried in the pariahe church att Rybchester — and forasmuche as 

 eny person or persons havinge any capitall mease, lands, tenements, hereditaments 

 holden in soccage or of the nature of soccage tenure and not havinge any capitall 

 mease, lands, tenements, or hereditaments holden of the Queenes majesties by 

 knyght servis, or by soccage tenure in chefe, or the nature of socage tenure in 

 chefe, nor of any other person or persons by knyght servis, shall and may have full 

 and free liberte, power, auctorite to geve, dispose, devyse, wyll, and declare by his 



'" Antiq. Notes." 



