History of the Lawrence-Townley and Chase-Townley estates in England : with copious historical and genealogical notes of the Lawrence-Chase, and Townely families and much other valuable information

Front matter

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

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Chapter I

Brief History of the Estate — Genealogy of the Lawrences in England, 1150— Coat of Arms — Townley of Townley — Dorothy the sole owner — Jewels, plate and money in the Bank of England — Property left to Mary in America —Administered upon by the Government— Drawing interest — Victoria, Chap. 66, Sec. 4 — By an earlier statute— By a failure of the male line — Mary T., the wife of John L. — Proof to one takes the several estates — Jonathan John succeeds Chas. Townley — Dies in possession of Townley Hall in 1816— He left a will— The Townleys from 1566 down to 1813— The estate reverts to Mary — Not a single link in the chain missing — Eomantic incidents connected with the family's efforts — Jonathan in 1814 writes to his oldest son to assist in the care of the estate — Lawrence and Townley Association — Decision in the Court of Chancery — Statements published in Wm, T. L.'s book— His ancestors Englishmen— Family advertised for in 1846 —Thomas was living in 1741— Jasiel Lawrence's statement — House of Commons order— Books marked " Heirs gone to America " — Rates of shares — Lawrence scrip — Heirs advertised for in 1875 — Norman J. Lawrence's letter — Additional Documents concerning the estate — Mr. J. Richardson's letters, 1856— Lebbeus Lawrence's Bible record — Letters of Francis Kniverton — Dr. Abraham's statement— Boston, Lawrence's efforts — Report of the Standing Committee — L. and T. connection — The result of Mr. Hunt's efforts pages 7 to 29

Chapter II

Chase Heirs — Decision in the Court of Chancery —No myth — The matter in Chancery in 1790— Valued at the modest sum of $260,000,000— Mary Townley marries William Chase — One-fourth gone to the English branch — Chase family — William came from England in 1630— Geo. B. Chase denies all knowledge — What Baring Bros, say — Mr. Comley goes away poor and returns heavy laden — Under £9,000 to disclose nothing— A Claim Agent dies, leaving millions — Funds placed in the Bank of England at 3 per cent. — Little danger from bogus Chases — A copy of the letter of the Chase delegate wishing $2,500 deposit — He is able to name the different estates that are included, etc., etc pages 32 to 37

Chapter III

Unclaimed Millions — Mary Townley's confession — How her runaway marriage brought the heirs to America— An interesting story — Your father's name was Williams — The promised marriage — She runs away, taking the family bible, also the famous gold locket — Facility for changing names— Married a short time after landing — Known by the name of Robert and Mary Stevens— The locket to be the proof of heirship — Joseph marries Experience Lawrence —Missing locket— Story told in 1803— John Hathaway Stevens born Sept. 20, 1766 — Description of lost locket — Advertisement for John Lawrence of Virginia — Joining the broken links — Letter from the Treasury— Prospective profitable search pages 39 to 46

CHAPTEK IV.

Extracts from the official records at London — T. and L. Association — Chase Association — Fund in the Bank of England or Court of Chancery — Official regulations — Origin of the Accountant General's office, and the funds under his control - Bursting of the South Sea Bubble — A remarkable trial, in which the Lord Chancellor was fined £30,000 — The amount in the Paymaster General's hands, and how invested —Annuity fallacies —Advertisements for the Townley family — Lawrence heirs called for — Unclaimed annuities — Act of Parliament— First list published 1823 — Unclaimed dividends— Inquisitionem Post Mortem sive Escheatorum— Sir Chas. T.'s will, 1774 — Chancery Office record— Report Office record— Accountant General's office — Suitors' unclaimed dividend account — List of the titles of causes, etc. —Messrs. Bompas, Bischoff and Dodgson's account — What Mr. Partington says — Messrs. Baring Bros.' statement — The American Consulate — Chief Accountant of the Bank of England — Mr. George Story's letter — Reviewing the evidence pages 49 to 71

Lawrence genealogy, including other genealogical information appertaining to the family pages 97 to 110