Cowley burials- Mawdesley RC Churchyard

Thomas Cowley (d. 1912 age 83) married Margaret Ainscough 1 (d.1872 age 46) & Margaret Ainscough 2 (d.1918 age 82) (my GGGG aunt & cousin of MA1) also Mary Cowley, daughter of the above who died June 28th 1869 age 13.



Thomas Edward Cowley (d.1940 age 79) & Eleanor his wife (d.1937 age 62). Thomas was a son of Thomas C above d. 1912). I believe this Thomas Edward C to be the grandfather of Gerard Swarbrick who draws the Old Mawdesley maps.


This might possibly be Richard Cowley & wife, brother of Ellen & Thomas?


This is likely to be Edward, eldest child & brother of Thomas & Ellen Cowley. The gravestone also mentions Alice Wright who I think maybe Alice Cowley, sister of Edward, Thomas & Ellen, but not absolutely sure because I dont know if she married a Wright.

Sylvia Wilcox, Aus (nsatstanwelltops@smartchat.net.au) is a direct descendant of the Cowleys, her ancestor being Everilda Cowley, one of the many sisters of Ellen Cowley (my GGG grandmother) & Thomas Cowley (my GGGG uncle).
The gravestones above can all be found in St Peter & Pauls RC church, Mawdesley.

There is no doubt that the Ainscough & Cowley families were good friends and neighbours in historic Mawdesley. The relationship between the 2 families can be traced back to the mid 1800’s.
My GGG grandad Hugh Ainscough (b. 1822-1882) married (1843) Ellen (Elizabeth) COWLEY (1824-1895), who on 6 Jun 1841 was recorded as being the family servant (age 15yrs) at Blackmore Grove, Mawdesley, home of William Finch

Thomas Cowley (b 21 Dec 1828, Bispham), married twice, both of his wives were called Margaret Ainscough.

His first wife was Margaret Ainscough (b 1826 - d 1872), daughter of John Ainscough (1794-1872) and Margaret (Wignall, 1797-1866) and cousin of my GGG grandad Hugh Ainscough. Margaret and Hugh shared the same grandparents, John Ainscough (1752-1835) m Margaret Worthington (1751-1835). His second wife was cousin of his first wife and sister of Hugh my GGG grandad - all very complex & intertwined hey?


From information provided from various sources this is what I know about the Cowley family.
PARENTS:
RICHARD COWLEY, Upholland (b.1797-1881) m (17 April 1820) ALICE (SWIFT b.6 Nov 1798?-1879, Wigan)

CHILDREN
Richard Cowley 1798 - 1881 & Alice Swift 1798 - 1879 (see image) had at least 9 children, although Sylvia's records indicate 14 children!! they are my 4x Great grandparents

Info. from Sylvia Wilcox:
3.1. Edward Cowley b. abt 1822-1887, Mawdesley (see image)

3.2. Ann Cowley, b. 21 March 1821 and perhaps died before 1851. She is not listed on the census. Then again she may have just been out visiting. 

3.3 * Elizabeth (Ellen) b. 11 Dec 1826- 1886 (my GGG grandmother) 

3.4. *Thomas b. 21 Dec 1828 - 1912, Bispham married twice, both were called Margaret Ainscough – see blog detail Sept 25th 06

3.5. Everilda b. 14 Sept 1830, Bispham married John Southworth 1833, Mawdesley - (descendant Sylvia Wilcox)
3.6. Alice b. 1836-1898, Eccleston married Richard WRIGHT c1825-1885 (see image- descendant John Cobham & Jo Horridge)
3.7. Matilda b. 1838 Eccleston 

3.8. Jemima b. 1840 Eccleston 

3.9. James b 1842 Eccleston - (descendant Margaret Eaton)

And this is a photo of Sylvia with her daughter.....