Untitled

Esther J. Townley Jones
(Memaw)
1885-1975
d. l. stover

I was 12 years old when my Great Grandmother, Esther Jones, passed away.
I have very few memories of her as she lived in Athens, Texas and I lived in Dallas,
Texas. Her husband, Hugh Jones, passed away before I was born, in 1961. I remember
Esther as a widow woman who would come for extended visits to stay with my Grandparents,
James and Vicki Jones, in Dallas. I knew her simply as "Memaw", a thin elderly lady with
black leather string shoes and round black glasses. My memories recall a quiet, soft spoken
lady, sitting on the living room sofa or standing in a doorway, observing each and every
conversation. I recall hearing her speak of her sisters, Jewel and Bonnie. I am certain
that I had more inter-action with her but my memory fails me.

Over the past three years I have come to know much about her and her people. What I would
give to visit with her today. I feel that she would enjoy sharing with me the memories of her family.
It became evident to me while researching her background that she had a fondness toward the
history of her folks as she kept in her old trunk many personal items and death notices. It has
been a tedious chore discovering just who her relatives where while shaking my head and thinking
to myself that she could have easily recited these individuals from memory. They appear as names
to me, but to her they played an important role in her life. I feel that she whispers "dont forget to
mention so and so in your report".

The Townleys lived on the border of Van Zandt and Henderson County, Texas. They were
Blacksmiths and farmers in the communities of Martins Mill, Pleasant Ridge and Edom in
Van Zandt County and later lived a few miles down the road in Murchison located in Henderson County.

The Townleys are of English extraction and came to America very early. Henry Morris Townley was
born in 1789 in Anderson County, South Carolina. In about 1814, he married a lady by the name of
Elizabeth. While in North Carolina they had the following children:
Jane Townley born 1815
Daniel Townley born 1816
Timothy B. Townley born November 4, 1818
Sarah Townley born 1822

It was in 1822 that Henry Townley pulled up stakes and moved his family to Walker County,
Alabama. This community still exists and is named "Townley" and is about 80 miles northeast
of Birmingham. Several of Henrys brothers and sisters made the journey to Walker County as
well. Many descendants still remain.

While in Walker County, Henry and Elizabeth have the remaining of their children:
William M. Townley born 1828
Edna Cora Townley born June 3, 1829
Richmond Townley born February 20, 1834
Mary Elizabeth Townley born May 12, 1836

In 1853, Henry Townley passes away in Nauvoo, Walker County, Alabama and was laid to rest
in the Brown Cemetery. On May 31, 1861, wife Elizabeth passes away in Holly Grove, Walker
County and she was laid to rest in the Bethel Cemetery.

Henry and Elizabeth Townleys son, Timothy, was born November 4, 1818 in South Carolina.
He arrived in Alabama at the age of four. On November 16, 1840, while living in Taladga County,
Alabama, Timothy met and married Amanda Malvern Hobbs, the daughter of William Hobbs and
Mary Posey. Amanda was born April 3, 1836 in Talladega County.

Timothy and Amanda Hobbs Townley had the following children:
Lewis Henry Townley born January 13, 1845 (served in Company "K", 33rd Texas Cavalry, CSA)
Elias Townley born 1846
C.P. Townley born 1847
John Thomas Townley born 1851
James Lafayette Townley born September 22, 1852
William Lee Townley born 1857

In the early 1850's, the Hobbs family along with the Timothy Townley family, head by wagon
train to Van Zandt County, Texas. Gone to Texas they settle on the border of Van Zandt and
Henderson Counties. While in the Pleasant Ridge Community near Martins Mill, Timothy
Townley purchases 160 acres of land. Their last two children are born: James Lafayette
and William Lee. Timothy farmed the land and settled down. On November 30, 1889,
Timothy Townley passes away and wife Amanda in 1893. They were laid to rest in the
Liberty Cemetery near Martins Mill where their red, sandstone markers are readable to this day.

Timothy and Amanda Hobbs son, James Lafayette Townley, was born September 22, 1852
in Pleasant Ridge. On January 1, 1877 he marries Silivia L. Huddleston. She was the daughter
of William Huddleston and Sarah Morgan. She was born in 1856 in the community of Goshen in
nearby Henderson County. In 1879 they have a son named Robert Luther Townley. In 1881,
Sarah passes away and was laid to rest in the Goshen cemetery.

On November 4, 1883, James marries a second time. He weds Mary Elizabeth Worsham, the
daughter of Pleasant and Susan Worsham. Mary was born June 14, 1863 in Washington County,
Alabama. James was a Blacksmith and operated a blacksmith shop in Murchison, Henderson
County. James and Mary had the following children:
Esther J. Townley born February 12, 1885
James Eustace Townley born January 2, 1887
Mierdicai Clyde Townley born August 1888
Verdie Townley born June 1890
Pleasant Neujent (Paul) Townley born November 12, 1892
Jewel Townley born January 1895
Kearly Kirby T. Townley born November 9, 1896
Bonnie Maye Townley born August 10, 1899

On February 14, 1927, James Lafayette Townley passes away in Pleasant Ridge. He was laid to
rest in the Red Hill Cemetery in Murchison. On October 28, 1938, his wife, Mary Elizabeth Worsham
Townley, passes away and she was laid to rest beside James.

James and Marys daughter, Esther J. Townley, was born February 12, 1885 in Murchison. On May
12, 1912, she weds Monroe Houston "Hugh" Jones. He was the son of Monroe Ransom Jones and
Narcissa Ellen Pool. He was born July 19, 1875 in Camp County, Texas. He was previously married to
Mittie Earo Duke of which two sons were born:
Earl Jones born March 22, 1895
Roy Jones born November 7, 1897

Mittie Duke Jones dies suddenly on October 21, 1910 and was laid to rest in the Tidmore Cemetery in Martins Mill.

Esther Townley and Monroe Hugh Jones have a son, Monroe Houston "MH" Jones on October 15, 1913 in
Murchison. Their next child is a girl that is stillborn.

Monroe and Esther move to Navarro County in the Emhouse Community. Esther gives birth to another son,
James Norbert Jones, on May 17, 1918. In 1921, they move to Corsicana, Navarro County. In 1927, they
move to Teague, Freestone County. In 1928, they move to Burleson, Johnson County. In 1930, they move to
Kirven, Freestone County where their sons graduate high school. As evident, Monroe and Esther are
constantly moving. Monroe is a migrant farm worker chasing crops.

On January 2, 1961, Monroe Hugh Jones, passes away. He was laid to rest in Red Hill Cemetery.
Esther is a widow and continues to live in Athens with brief extended visits with other family members.
She remains close to her siblings who are living nearby. On May 3, 1975, at the age of 90, Esther J.
Townley Jones, passes away. She was laid to rest beside her husband and near her parents.. She
lived long years, witnessed many changes, endured numerous hardships. She watched as her only
two sons left for the Army and participated in the war. On a notepad she jotted down "July 18, 1941,
Norbert is supposed to leave for the Army today. I am so sad". What a joy it must have been to see
both her sons return home safe.

Esthers siblings remained in Henderson County.

Esthers brother, Clyde Townley, married Alma Bingham. Clyde, like his father, was a Blacksmith
in his younger years. Clyde and Alma have the following children:
Jake Townley born January 15, 1918 (Operated Townleys Dept store on the square in Athens)
Joe M. Townley born 1923

Clyde Townley passes away March 23, 1961 in Athens. He was laid to rest in Oaklawn Memorial Park in Athens.

Pleasant Neugent Townley, nicknames Paul, Nuke and Noodle. He passes away March 22, 1986 with
burial in Red Hill Cemetery beside his brother Kirby.

Kirby Townley, nicknamed Kurly, passes away February 9, 1983 with burial in Red Hill Cemetery.

Jewel Townley married Robert Eustace Burgamy. He was a retail salesman at the Athens Hardware store.
Jewel and Robert have the following children:
Donald Burgamy born May 11, 1918
Ola Beth Burgamy born 1921.

Bonnie Maye Townley married Lee Roy Taylor.
Bonnie died December 12, 1998 at the age of 99 years. She was laid to rest in Red Hill cemetery.

Athens Newspaper
Athens Daily Review
J L Townley memorial tribute
Of Murchison
March 3, 1927
pages 13-14
TRIBUTE TO J L TOWNLEY
Those who are interested in the living of a devoted Christian life will give ear to the following: Brother J L
Townley left a record behind that we desire to hold out to the world. Bro Townley had left a record behind
him worthy of imitation by both old and young. He lived to the age of about seventy five, had been a member
of the church from early life.
Those who knew him best had cause to love him most, for his reserved manners, and undemonstrative
nature did not readily give forth its radiance and beauty; but like the precious gems of Golconda, increased
of plain gray stone only has to be rubbed off to reveal the dazzling luster of the richest diamond. Those that
knew him best only can have an idea of the many Christian virtues he possessed. In the first place he was a
most dutiful father and loving husband. He was in a very low state of health for a number of years before death
snatched him from the warm precincts of loved ones and friends. He bore the cracking of pain and misery
through the many years that was continually praying upon his vitals, but he never murmered or complained of
his fate. He had been deprived of the sense of hearing for some thirty years, but lived in hopes that some day
all his senses would be restored.
He learned vocal music in early life, was an ardent vocalist of church music, a very graceful leader and taught
vocal music in early manhood. The many Christian graces he possessed which becomes a teacher of the young
people, best fitted him for one who is to be imitated by his followers. The Sacred Harp was the text book used in
his many years of teaching. The Sacred Songs, the songs of mothers was the ones he loved most. He knew no
jazz songs. He taught the writer the notation of the Sacred Harp, and instructed him to sing. Bro Townley was a
Blacksmith. I spent many hours standing around his forge and could hear the clink of his hammer when he was
sharpening the iron and talking of vocal music. He was a charter member of the Texas Central Musical Convention
organized at Old Unity Church 3 miles north of Murchison in 1869. He was associated with pioneer singers of that
time such as; D P White, R F Mann, H D Weaks, J P Gossett, Uncle Frank Manuel, Jack Gillard, Squire Browning,
W M Dale, Kahee Ballard and a host of others that I have met and had the pleasure of singing with when I first learned
to sing.
In his declining years vitality, began to fail, he never murmered, but moved steadily on defying death with all his terrors
and sting of the grave. Death had no sting for him, for the sting of death is sin, so sayeth the scriptures. Oh death, where
is thy sting, oh grave, where is thy victory?"
Brethren, our beloved brother has gone from the narrow confines of this mortal life, he has gone to take up his abode
in a land that is filled with joy unexpressable and full of glory, there to bathe his spirit in the effulgent glory of the celestial world.
He is gone-his trials passed, he has no burdens now to bear.
No dark clouds his way overcast, his bosom knows no more of care.
He is gone, his weary soul freed from its tenement of clay.
Bathes in seas of bliss untold, throughout one long eternal day.

Invited Review Editor to visit his buggy shop
"30 years ago column"
Nov 3, 1938
Page 8
30 YEARS AGO
Reviewing the News of Former Days in Athens and Henderson County
J L Townley of Murchison, paid the Review a pleasant call Saturday and invited the Review man to visit his buggy
shop. He makes buggies like we used to have before the war. There is a service and durability in them. We should
encourage this enterprise.

Mary Townley
Texas Death Certificate No. 71233
Murchison, Henderson County, Texas
Mary Elizabeth Townley
White Female Widowed
Birth: June 14, 1862
Age: 75 years 4 months 15 days
Housewife
Wife of J.L. Townley
Born: Alabama
Father: P L Worsham of Alabama
Mother: Amanda Whigham of Georgia
Informant: Mrs Roy Taylor, Murchison, Texas
Burial: Red Hill Cem Date 10-30-1938
Undertaker: Burks-Walker-Daniel
Death: October 29, 1938
I hereby certify that I attended deceased from Oct 1, 1938 to Oct 26, 1938.
I last saw her alive on Oct 26, 1938.
Cause: Nephritis Acute
Other: Cancer of breast
Dr A C Horton, MD, Brownsboro, Texas

Athens Newspaper
Mrs Mary Elizabeth Townley obit, wife of J L Townley
Nov 3, 1938
page 15
Mrs Mary Elizabeth Townley, 75 year old resident of Murchison died Saturday at the family home following a
lengthy illness. Her condition had been critical for several days. She was the mother of Clyde Townley of Athens.
Funeral Services were held on Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the First Baptist Church in Murchison. Rev. D.R.
Cartlidge, Pastor of the West Athens Baptist Church and Rev. E.J. White, Murchison pastor, conducted the services.
Interment followed in the Red Hill cemetery.
Mrs. Townley is survived by seven children; three daughters, Mrs Jewel Burgamy and Mrs Roy Taylor of Murchison
and Mrs M H Jones of Mexia; four sons, P.N. Townley and Kirby Townley of Murchison, Clyde Townley of Athens
and J.E. Townley of Jefferson, Texas.

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