Historically, my Townley ancestors from Colne, Lancashire, were a family of some significance in social circles. They were integral in the development of Colonial Virginia from Lancashire. In the lineage, Richard Townley, the younger son of Thomas, may have contributed in the social demise of the family fortune and social standing.
The deterioration of the social status of the family, had an effect on Richard Townley’s children. My ancestor, Ann Townley, likely married a bit under her previous social station with Thomas Ingles (a tradesman, Cooper) rather than an armigerous man.
As time went on, Ann had two surviving sons but seemed to lack any social status, which might have eroded her happiness.
