Richard TOWNE, a butcher, died circa 1761 West Drayton, Mddx

[floxxie]

I am after some local knowledge on potential sources to identify the wife of the above. The parish registers have given a number of children born from 1720 to Richard and his wife Anne. Anne dies in 1742. There is no marriage for the couple in the St Martin's parish registers. Richard leaves a will listing his children and various tenements he holds in the area.
My questions concern any potential manorial records, vestry books, MIs and any other useful records for 18th century West Drayton that could be accessed.

TIA.

Fiona

[Little Nell]

Richard Towne and various properties in West Drayton manors appear in the TNA catalogue.  The records are actually held by the London Metropolitan Archives.

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/dea91df9-e12c-4339-ad90-4de968e783b6
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/c8abc0e3-4884-4062-b102-3af236fc1826
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/a9a91872-bdc2-49fa-bb93-7cb3d87bb566

I'm not sure that they will help you identify the name of his wife. 

West Drayton is right on the western edge of London.  Have you looked in the eastern parishes of Buckinghamshire - Denham, Iver, the Chalfonts for example.

Nell

[floxxie]

Thanks Nell, yes I was wondering how far out I should be looking for a possible marriage. I shall start with the places you suggested.

I had also found these links in TNA catalogue; do you know if there are any local history books written on this area that would have looked at the landlords and their tenants?

I did come across a reference: COX, A.H. 'The Society's archives' W.D.D.H 89, 1988, 5-7. Brief description of the collection of West Drayton and District Local History Society. Does anybody have a copy of this? Is anyone a member of this LHS?

[amondg]

He was buried 30 October 1761 St Martin's Hillingdon West Drayton. Affidavit was given 3 November 1761.

Both entries on ancestry

He wrote his will 6 June 1748 probate was 17 November 1761 

[floxxie]

Thank you amondg,

I have a copy of his will and have accessed the church registers. Unfortunately there is no marriage for Richard and his first wife Anne. I haven't found a marriage to his second wife either, although there are two children baptised to them and a note to say that they confessed to not being married a couple of years after the baptism of their daughter.

The name 'Richard Towne' is unfortunately quite common. He was a butcher which also seemed to be the occupation for Richard Townes! Due to the proximity to London, I am wondering whether the marriage could possibly have occurred there.

My plan was to explore all local sources first. Does anyone know if the parish vestry books exist and are accessible?

[Little Nell]

I'm afraid I cannot answer your question about the vestry books, but a search of the online catalogue of LMA brings this up:

https://search.lma.gov.uk/SCRIPTS/MWIMAIN.DLL/200061527/2/3/3019?RECORD&UNION=Y&URLMARKER=STARTREQUEST

Items held are listed there.

Also check out VCH of Middlesex Vol 3 here:
https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/middx/vol3?page=1

Information relating to West Drayton is on page 2

Nell