Chest Tomb Of James And Mary Townley And 4 Other Railed Tomb Chests About 25 Metres North West Of Church Of St Laurence

The chest tomb of James and Mary Townley, along with four other railed tomb chests, is located about 25 meters northwest of the Church of St. Laurence. This Grade II listed chest tomb commemorates James Townley, who died in 1817, and Mary Townley, who died in 1839. It is constructed from stone and features iron rails. The tomb has a large platform with a moulded plinth, baluster corner piers, and reeded side panels, topped with a moulded and inscribed slab. The iron rails are designed with spear head motifs and urn finials, although the panels are intact but require refitting.

This tomb is considered historically significant as the Townleys were instrumental in the development of much of Ramsgate during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, influencing the town's current character. Notable developments attributed to them include Townley House, Chatham Place, Spencer Square, Royal Road, and Royal Crescent.

Nearby, there is a railed chest tomb dating from the early 19th century, which has a moulded base with a plinth, piers incised with blind arches, raised and fielded moulded side panels, and an inscribed top slab with reeded edges. The rails feature crescent finials and urn finial principals. Additionally, there are two railed tomb slabs to the south of the Townley tomb, both with illegible inscriptions, enclosed in spear-headed rail surrounds with urn finial principals, and an identical inscribed slab in a railed enclosure to the south.