Lucy Townsend (née Gere)

1867 Marriage

Lucy Gere, father Edward Gere, married William Townsend, father Albert Townsend, on 3^rd March 1867. Her stated age was 26: approximate year of birth 1840. The wedding took place at St Andrew’s, Uxbridge, Hillingdon. William’s profession was gardener; Lucy’s profession was cook. (Source: Church of England marriages and bans, London, 1754-1921).

1881 Census

Lucy Townsend, married to William Townsend, lived in 2 Verandah Cottage, Merton Road, Wandsworth, in 1881. Their stated age was 42: approximate year of birth 1839. There were 4 sons resident: Ernest, Edwin, Frank, Fred, ages 12, 9, 4, 2 respectively. Lucy was born in East Grinstead, Sussex. William was born in Whittingdon, Berkshire. (Source: 1881 Census records, London, Wandsworth, District 5).

1885 Death Index

William Townsend died in 1885, his death being registered in Lambeth, London, Apr-Jun 1885 (vol 1d, p 290). His stated age was 46: approx. year of birth 1839. (Source: FreeBMD death indices 1837-1915).

1891 Census

Lucy Townsend, a widow, lived at [Summer?] Hill, Crawley Down, East Grinstead, Sussex, in 1891. Her stated age was 52: approx. year of birth 1839. There were 3 sons resident: George, Frank, Fred, ages 23, 15, 12 respectively. Lucy was born in East Grinstead, Sussex. (Source: 1891 Census records, Sussex, Worth, District 1).

1901 Census

Lucy Townsend, a widow, lived in Sandhill Cottages, East Grinstead, Sussex, in 1901. Her stated age was 65: approx. year of birth 1836. There was one son resident: Fred, age 22. Lucy was born in East Grinstead, Sussex. (source: 1901 Census records, Sussex, Worth, District 2).

1911 Census

Lucy Townsend, stated as being married, lived in Gibbs Cottage, Nutfield, Surrey, in 1911. Her stated age was 72: approx. year of birth 1839. She lived with her married son, Fred, age 32, and his wife and three children. Lucy was born in East Grinstead. (Source: 1911 Census records, Surrey, Nutfield, District 11).

1916 Death index

Lucy Townsend died in 1916, her death being registered in Wandsworth, London, Apr-Jun 1916 (vol 1d, p 740). Her stated age was 77: approx. year of birth 1839. (Source: England and Wales Death Indices 1916-2007). This death index is most likely that of Lucy Townsend (née Gere) since although her most recent recorded residence was Nutfield, Surrey, she had once lived in Wandsworth, and her late husband, William, was buried nearby. Moreover this is the only BMD index for a Lucy Townsend that states the correct age for a birth in 1839.