The man with 175 Grandchildren ....

[toni*]

you don't think he could have lead a double life or practiced a faith where they take many wives? otherwise the possibility of him having 175 grandhcildren does seem a little extreme

[Our Kid]

I meant to tell you, the grave stone hasn't been re-done.  It is in original state.  There are two other stones with a couple of his children in which are also very well preserved.

Pauline

[Our Kid]

My g-g-grandfather was one of 22 children.  Only 2 died in infancy.  All the others grew into adulthood and had children of their own.  I have never counted them.  Some of the 22 were twins, 4 sets if I remember correctly.

Large families weren't unusual in those times (no television to keep them occupied) 

[toni*]

yes i know large families were not uncommon but what i was saying is that if all Alice 15 children survived (they didnt) they would have to have an average of 11.66 children
of course it says Richard had 175 grandchildren and not Alice so was thinking about more children possibly with Betty and them having children

[aspin]

Wow

and only two died that is remarkable

Nice that the headstones are in good condition

Thats a thing you look for when searching as you know some you cannot read

My late brothers is a white scroll and my Dad used to have to paint it with lead paint I would hate to try and its a shame its unreadable

I got a quote but it was too expensive for me to pay out
you are all doing well finding this family it would be great if you do find a relative
A bit like our Robert Stead last year
Elizabeth

[toni*]

likewise it doesn’t say Richard is the father of all Alice 15 children

[oldecrone]

Richard and Betty - who had Izobel - are a different couple, and are on the 1841 census. the two Richards were probably cousins and both had a daughter called Izobel.

I was wondering if Richard was married BEFORE he married Alice, although there is not a suitable marriage that I can find. If Alice was a similar age to Richard, then she would be more or less at the limit of her natural fertility by 1800? Pity her gae isn't on the tombstone!

Also there is a worrying gap between marriage (1778) and the first found child, Betty, baptised 1782. I would have thought there would have been a couple of children before that date. So far we have only accounted for ten of a possible 15 children.

oldecrone

[oldecrone]

A bit more...someone on Ancestry has Richard Townley in their tree. They don't know much about him but they DO cite his will (worth someone's while to get that I should think) and mentions a daughter Ann who died before 1837.

Richard Townley baptised 15 April 1754 Tockholes Chapel, parents Thomas Townley and Mary unknown.

Thomas fits nicely with Richard's first known son. So, we are looking for an Ann who died before 1837 and probably a Mary, too.

Richard died in Oswaldtwistle, according to the Will.

oldecrone

[RyanUK]

This post is 10 years old so I hope someone finds it and can use the information provided.

I have traced my paternal line up to my 5th great grandfather. I have some details that may or may not be relevant to this post. His name is :

Richard Townley (1752 - 1809)
Born in Blackburn.
Married a Mary Thornber on
4 Feb 1782 at St. Mary, Blackburn, Lancashire, England.

Marriage certificate says both
'of Livesey, Blackburn'

Died in 1809 and registered burial on
4 Dec 1809 at the Parish -
Blackburn, St Mary the Virgin, Lancashire, England.

Mary Thornber (1759 - 1793)
Buried 25 May 1793 in
Blackburn. Spouse name Richard.
She died Mary Townley.

So far I have these known children:

Mary Townley (1789 - 1807)
Buried 26 Apr 1807.
At Blackburn, St Mary the Virgin, Lancashire, England
Fathers name Richard Townley.

Arthur Townley (1785 - 1854)
Born in Darwen, Lancashire.
Baptised 19 Sep 1785 at
Parish: Blackburn.
Married Margeret Bolton on
29 Dec 1810 in Blackburn.
Buried 12 Jan 1854 in Manchester.

Arthur's my 4 x Great Grandfather.
His two first borns were
Richard Townley - 1820
Mary Ann Townley - 1820.

I still have some way to go yet in finding out his parents.