The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-08-17
TOWNLEY'S HEIR.

LAB O'tOh W Liz ISoVOluGlOn IASy were
recognized in the old directories thus:
"Sam. May, oysterman. No Fourteen
Chimneya" They stood ON the west
side Of Fifth street, above Race, and OK.
tended from the southwest corner of
Mulberry alley south to the present No.
222, now an ink factory. In fact, the
back part of this establishment is the
only portion Of the building left, and
this was part of the Ettris mansion,
belonging to q curious family who owned
much OF the land Whereabouts and noted
for eocentrioities in dress and opinions.
There were in all eight houses and they
had been built to ct tho chimneys as
these were much higher than the two
story dwellings. These stood back from
the street and had gardens in front from
which the neighbors were supplied with
vegetables.
Tho principal industry here in early
times must have been butchering, as
layers of bones. cattle horns and heads
arc turned up when the street hos been
opened. In 1918 one of the most re-
spected residents of the Fourteen
Chimneys" was % Miss Rachel Barron.
q bright mulatto who had been left a
small fortune by member Of the Bid
die family, whose servant she had been
for 20 years.
Miss Barron was very charitable and
did much good in aiding the poor, who
wero plenty enough in the humorous
courts and alleys of that vicinity, and
it is i'll this connection that our story
begins.
In 1906 man named Richard Vane
Townley was living in Philadelphia.
He was All Englishman, handsome in
appearance, with polished manners and
pleasing address Flo had many friends,
as it was reputed that he came from all
excellent family at home, but there was
a mystery about his means of living.
He always had plenty of money, dressed
and lived extensively, SO it was sup
posed that he had an income from prop
erty in England, but oil this was dissi-
pated by the report that he had been
principal In a duel at Saratoga Springs;
that the alleged cause was n quarrel at
the card table, and that the courteous,
stately Englishman was in effect pro-
fessional gambler.
When this was known, it affected
MIR. Townley's position in society adj
versely, but card playing was recog-
nized industry in those times and carried
no popular odium with it, and that gem
tleman still seemed to prosper.
When he came to Philadelphia, his
companion was boy about 10, who
was his only child, the mother being
dead. James was a delicate lad, but
gentle, and he was put In private
school and much liked by his associates,
but his father, mindful Of the vicissi-
tudes OF his profession, bound james to
Benjamin Jones, at the southeast corner
OF Second and Chestnut streets, to learn
engraving, and this he did, becoming a
good workman His father, however,
supplied him with too much money,
and he ceased to work, became unsteady
and finally dissipated When left with
out resources by the death of the older
Townley. he was forced to go to work
at his trade
Richard Townley left nothing to his
son. but before dying no confded to a
we'll known member of tho old bar Ger
tain papers and told that gentleman the
story Of his wasted life
49, NAAO %SsoOOA Rti " VI Ilbo tlRuGtSlllu
century Apley Park, in Shropshire, now
one of the show places of England, was
owned by Sir Edmund Foster. 1t had
once belonged to tho Lucys of Charli-
cote and came to the Fosters by mar
rage. Sir Edmund had two sisters.
One married q Dovonshire rector named
Childs, the other Philip Maley Town
ley of Shrewsbury. Both MIR. and Mrs.
Townley died early, leaving ON only son
-Richar1 Vnne Townloy.
Richard was adopted by his bachelor
uncle, Sir Edmund and was sure to
enter ON an inheritance of e12, 900 per
annum, but no was wild and reckless
and was sent away from Oxford In dis
grace, and for n time forbidden to ap-
pear at Apley Park Sir Edmund was
getting quite infirm and much oontroll-
ed and Influenced by his housekeeper,
Mrs. Darby, who had been in the fam
lily from girlhood She interoeded for
Richard, and he was finally restored to
favor and came back to the park, only
to get into fresh scrapa Mrs Darby
had a niece staying with her, very
beautiful aud good girl, and with her
Richard fell madly In love, and failing
to get her on less honorable terms per-
suaded her to elope and get married.
The aunt had been away on visit
8nd returned to find her niece gone.
Suspeoting the worst, she at once in
formed Sir Edmund Of his nephew S
lew delinquency and had him send foi
his lawyer. A new will was made and
no mention therein of Richard Townlcy.
Shortly afterward Mrs Darby learned
tho truth and found that she had sue