Born

Directories.1

Robson's Commercial Directory of Beds, Bucks, etc 1839
Henley upon Thames
Towsey, F & C. A. T., Bell Street, Wine & Brandy Merchants

Henley Regatta.2

Became Secretary of the Henley Regatta - in the year it was founded. He continued to be Secretary until his death.

Directories.3

Pigot's & Co.'s Directory of Berks, Bucks, etc, 1844.
Henley-on-Thames
Wine & Spirit Merchant
Towsey, Charles Augustus, Bell St

Licence obtained for marriage to Mary Harriet SPARKS.16

Bride's surname - Sparks
Groom's surname - Towsey

Married Mary Harriet SPARKS in Henley.27,28

From the Standard :-
"On the 20th inst., at Henley-on-Thames, Charles Augustus Towsey, Esq., of Henley-on-Thames, to Mary Harriet, only daughter of the late John Sparks, Esq., St. John-street, London."

Birth of son William Charles TOWSEY in Henley.4,17

Birth of son Arthur John TOWSEY in Henley.4

Birth of son Edward TOWSEY in Henley.4,18

Birth of daughter Augusta Mary TOWSEY in Henley.4,19

Occupation Wine Merchant.4

Recorded in census in Henley (Bell Street).4

Head of household
Staff x 3

Birth of daughter Edith Margaret TOWSEY in Henley.9,20

Birth of son Alfred Merrell TOWSEY in Henley.9

Birth of daughter Gertrude Sparks TOWSEY in Henley.9,23

Bankruptcy in Court of Bankruptcy, Basinghall Street.5

From the London Gazette :-
"JOSHUA EVANS, Esq., one of Her Majesty's Commissioners authorised to act under a petition for adjudication of Bankruptcy, filed on 21st day of October 1856, against Charles Augustus Towsey, of Henley-upon-Thames, in the county of Oxford, Wine and Spirit Merchant, will sit on the 18th day of December instant, at twelve of the clock at noon precisely, at the Court of Bankruptcy, in Basinghall-street, in the city of London, in order to Audit the Accounts of the Assignees of the estate and effects of the said bankrupt, under the said Petition, persuant to the Acts of Parliament made and now in force relating to Bankrupts."

Bankruptcy in Court of Bankruptcy, Basinghall Street.6,7

From the London Gazette .-
"JOSHUA EVANS, Esq., one of Her Majesty's Commissioners authorised to act under a Petition for adjudication of Bankruptcy, filed on the 21st day of October, 1856, against Charles Augustus Towsey, of Henley-upon-Thames, in the county of Oxford, Wine and Spirit Merchant, will sit on the 6th day of January next at eleven o'clock in the forenoon precisely, at the Court of Bankruptcy, in Basinghall-street, in the City of London, in order to make a Dividend of the estate and effects of the said bankrupt; when and where the creditors, who have not already proved their debts, are to come prepared to prove the same, or they will be excluded the benefit of the said Dividend. And all claims not then approved will be disallowed."

From the Morning Chronicle .-
"The bankrupt was a wine and spirit merchant of Henley-upon-Thames. He now applied for a certificate, supported by Mr. Chidley.
The accounts show - deficiency at commencement, Jan., 1856, GBP 701 14s. 8d. ; present debts, GBP 1,947 ; assets GBP 670.
There being no opposition on the part of the assignees, a first class certificate was asked for.
His Honour thought it preposterous that in a case like the present a certificate of so high a class should be demanded.
Mr. Chidley said that the assignees joined with him in asking for such a certificate, and he held in his hand a petition signed by the creditors of the bankrupt, whose debts amounted to GBP 1,600, such memorial also signed by the rectors of the parishes of Henley and Sawtry St. Andrew, recommending that the bankrupt should receive a first-class certificate. His business had been carried on by his forefathers for several generations, and the falling off of trade was accounted for by the opening of a railway station five miles from Henley, the bankrupt's customers obtaining their goods from London by that means.
His Honour, in giving judgment, said he thought the bankrupt had gone on too long, but the creditors being favourably disposed he would so far accede to their recommendation as to grant an immediate second-class certificate.
Second-class certificate accordingly."

Birth of daughter Constance Mabel TOWSEY in Henley.9,24

Mentioned in Will.8

of Philip Barrett Cooper
Described as :- of Philip Barrett Cooper
Described as "Mary Harriet Towsey the wife of Charles Augustus Towsey"

Birth of son Hubert TOWSEY in Henley.9,25

Occupation Merchant.9

Recorded in census in Henley (Hart Street).9

Head of household
Also resident - Harry John B Sparks - annotated as "Nephew"
Governess x 1
Staff x 3

Birth of daughter Mary Euphrasie TOWSEY in Henley.26

Death of daughter Gertrude Sparks TOWSEY in Henley.22

Occupation Wine & Spirit Merchant.10

Recorded in census in Henley (Hart Street).10

Head of household
Staff x 1

Death of son Alfred Merrell TOWSEY in Eastry.21

Occupation Retired Wine Merchant.11

Recorded in census in Henley (Hart Street).11

In lodgings

Died in Mutford, Lowestoft.12,13,14,2

From the Otago Witness :-
"On the 25th January, 1883, at his residence, Lowestoft, Suffolk, England, Charles Augustus Towsey, the beloved father of Arthur John and Edward Towsey."

From Jackson's Oxford Journal :-
"Jan. 25, suddenly at Lowestoft, Mr. Charles Augustus Towsey, of Henley-on-Thames, aged 71."

Buried in Kirkley Cemetary.15

Age - 71 years

Obituary.2

From the Jackson's Oxford Journal :-
"DEATH OF MR. CHARLES TOWSEY - All persons interested in Henley Regatta will hear with much regret of the death of Mr. Charles Towsey, who had been the Secretary of that institution ever since it was founded in 1839. Mr. Towsey had been an oarsman in his youth, and till about ten years ago had carried on business as wine merchant in Henley-on-Thames. He then retired from business and resided in Deal, but never relinquished his interest in the regatta which he had done so much to promote. He assiduously attended to all duties as Secretary, journeying from Deal to Henley for all official meetings and for the conduct of the regatta each summer. During the winter he had been in failing health, and on Friday last he died at Lowestoft. He was in his 72nd year."

Probate in London, Principal Registry.13

of the estate of Charles Augustus Towsey, formerly of Henley on Thames, wine and beer merchant, late of Lowestoft
Sole executor - Mary Harriet Towsey, widow the relic,
Personal estate - GBP 26. 15s. 0d.