TOWNLEY FAMILY TREE

NOTES
Francis was executed for his part in the Bonnie Prince Charles rebellion of 1745-1746.  He was executed in London as a traitor on 30 July 1746 for his part in the Jacobite Rebellion.  Francis Towneley Esquire; of an honourable family in Lancashire, was Colonel of the Manchester Regiment.  There was no doubt that had he been the govenor; the place would held out to the very last, for when acquainted with the terms of capitulation he "flew into a great passion with Colonel Hamilton, declaring that it would be better to die by the sword than to fall into the hands of the damn Hanoverians."   He had acquired great military experience while in the French Army; a circumstance used to his disadvantage when he claimed to be a French officer under commission.  His execution (to be hung; drawn, and quartered) took place on Kennington Common on 30 July 1746.  Towneley was one of the last persons to suffer that barbaric practice.  It was ultimately abolished in England as a form of punishment.  He met his unpleasant fate with courage with dignity; wearing a new black velvet suit, which he had specially made for the occasion by a tailor in Southwark.  Hanged; Drawn; and Quartered.  The pactice involved being drug behind a horse to the place of execution.  There you were stripped to the shirt, with their arms bound.  Prisoners were then hanged until near death.  At that point the person would be disemboweled; and the victim; still alive at this time might have saw his entrails burned; before having his heart removed and being decapitated.  He was then 'quartered' (chopped into four pieces).  The head was often displayed on London Bridge.
A poster announced the event.