Dorothy Walpole

Dorothy Townshend, Viscountess Townshend (née Walpole), was born on 18 September 1686 at Houghton Hall. She was the thirteenth child of Robert Walpole and Mary Burwell. Prior to 25 July 1713, she married Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend, becoming his second wife. She died on 29 March 1726, with reports suggesting her death occurred under mysterious circumstances or possibly due to smallpox.

Her marriage to Charles Townshend produced several children:

- Hon. George Townshend, born in 1715 and died in August 1769.

- Hon. Augustus Townshend, born in 1716 and died in 1746.

- Hon. Horatio Townshend, born in 1718 and died in 1764.

- Very Reverend Hon. Edward Townshend, born on 25 October 1719 and died on 27 January 1765; he served as Dean of Norwich from 1761 to 1765 and was Canon of Westminster from 1749 to 1761.

- Hon. Richard Townshend, born in 1721 and died at a young age.

- Hon. Dorothy Townshend, born in 1722 and died in 1779.

- Hon. Mary Townshend married Lieutenant General Edward Cornwallis in 1763; he was born in 1724 and died on 14 January 1776. He was the son of Charles Cornwallis, 4th Baron Cornwallis of Eye, and Lady Charlotte Butler.

There are legends associated with Dorothy Walpole, including rumors that she was involved in an affair with Thomas Wharton, 1st Marquess of Wharton, before her marriage and that she was secretly confined in Raynham Hall prior to a mock funeral. These stories have contributed to the lore surrounding her, including the alleged identity of the Brown Lady of Raynham Hall, a famous ghostly apparition said to be her.