Well Known Tewkesburian's Death (S3): Townley Genealogy

Source Information

Title	Well Known Tewkesburian's Death
Publisher	The Tewkesbury Register and Gazette, October 13th 1923
Source ID	S3
Text	We record with regret the death of a well known and highly respected townsman. On Monday morning Mr. Nelson Thomas Townley, who has been in failing health for some time passed away at his residence, Groves Almshouses, Cotteswold Road. The deceased, who was in his 83rd year, was the son of Mr.Thomas Townley and was born at the Pound House, then an Inn of which the latter was licensee, and where it was said beer was sold "by the pound." He was apprenticed to the trade of a stocking maker, at that time a flourishing industry io Tewkesbury. In course of years Mr. Townley commenced a business of his own and conducted an establishment which not only supplied a wide district in the Counties of Gloucester and Worcester but which extended to many parts of the world. The introduction of machinery killed the old stocking making trade extensively carried on in Tewkesbury, not only by Mr. Townley but others, and the subject of this notice was the last of the line of hand machine, producers. For some years later Mr. Townley's services were in general request as a waiter. He was for a time caretaker of the Town Club but was perhaps more prominent in recent years as Sergeant at Mace and Town Crier, positions he held for a long period until to the regret of a11 associated with him in these offices failing health caused his retirement. Until this year he was custodian of the Victoria Pleasure Grounds under the Corporation. Mr. Townley was a man not only of very considerable intelligence but of an exceptionally courteous personality which always made it a pleasure to meet him. He was a most interesting and able raconteur and possessed a fund of knowledge of the quaint characters and customs of past generations of Tewkesburians which he imparted to his younger friends with a geniality andkeen sense of humour that always made it a delight to have a chat with him. He was a Churchman and as a strong adherent to the Conservative cause always engaged himself in the interests of his party at election times, but in this as in all else his predominant characteristic - courtesy - asserted itself, and his strongest political opponents in the days when "party" meant more than it does today will be amongst those who most deeply deplore his departure. "Nelson" was a gentleman and his death removes one of the best of the old school. He survived by his wife, who we regret to learn is bedridden, and nine sons and daughters. On December 16, 1915, deceasced and his wife celebrated their golden wedding. The funeral took place on Friday and the obsequies were conducted the Ven. G. S. Winter (Vicarof Holy Trinity Church). The service was held in Holy Trinity Church.with the committal at the Cemetery. The hymn "I heard the Voice of Jesus say" was sung and the Dead March in Saul was played. An address was given by the Ven. G. S. Winter. The family mourners were Mrs. Miller (daughter) with Mr. Miller and son (Bath), Messrs. Charles Henry, George, Ralph T. (Horwich), Albert (Swansea), Frank (Horncastle), and Horatio (sons), and. Mrs. R. T. Townley, Mrs. A. Spencer, Misses B. Brush and R. Peacey (nieces), Other present at the Church included the Mayor of Tewkesbury and Councillor Walkley. There was a large and beautiful collection of floral tributes.
Linked to	Townley Nelson Thomas