There are a number of John Heaton Partington manuscripts deposited at Chetham Library, Manchester.  The volumes are all hand written and have been bound into book form.  I identified the following volumes as those which were most likely to contain references to the early Tonge family of Bolton.

 Each volume is fairly substantial, and would probably take at least a day to read in detail.  I have skimmed over 108, 110 and 114, looking for references for the Tonge family.  I have not checked the other volumes yet.

Farnworth, Kearsley and Rumworth

p3. c1297.  William le Chefe acquires estate in Farnworth.  Witnesses: Henrico de Workedley, Willor de Anderton, Elia de Tonge, Symone de Bradeshae, Rico de Redforde

p3. 1295. Witness: Elia de Tonge, Rico de Hulton, Rico de Radclive, Wils de Anderton

p3b, footnote, n.d..  Lever family Grant.  Witnesses: Elia de Lever, Elia de Hentwisell, Rogero de Boulton, Elia de Tonge (Towneley MSS p774)

p4, n.d.. Helie de Tonge.  Other witnesses: Ade de Farnworth, Leisingus de Lever, Adam de Buri, Rogero de p'va Bothelton, Willo de Middleton, Willo fillii Petro de Middleton, Ada de p'va Lever.

p7. n.d. Confirmation of William, son and heir of Henry de Lever.  Witnesses: Thomae de Hulton, Rico de Bothelton, Rico de Moston, Galfrido Wychistr, Rogero de Bothelton, Augustino de Warde, Gilbto de Tonge, Matheo de Levre

p8, n.d.. Transaction relating to William, son of Henry de Magna Lever, witnessed by: Ada de Biri, Galfridi de Chetham, Jordano de Hulton, Rico de Trafford, Elia de Tonge, Willo de Bradsae, Rogero de Boyelton

p8, 1281.  Document relating to lands in Great Lever, witnessed by Henrico de Tonge and others.

p8, n.d.. Document relating to recovery of tenement in Farnworth of John son of Roger de Great Lever, witnessed by (amongst others) Henrico de Tonge, Elia filio eius

p19, n.d.. Concord regarding the Hultons of Farnworth. Witnessed by Elia de Tonge, and others.

p20. Witnesses to transaction: Elia de Lever, Elia de Tonge, Robto de Bradshae, Simone de eadem, Jordano de Bosco, Ada de Sarpillis, Rogero de Farneworthe, John de Ainsworth.

p37. 1678.  List of  15 freeholders of Farnworth in 1678, including John Tonge, James Tonnge, William Tongue and Thomas Tong.

p49. "Tonges of Farnworth"

The Tonges of Farnworth, are a branch of the ancient family of that name residing at Tonge with Haulgh, many of whose names appear as witnesses to the ancient Deeds given in the preceding pages. Henry Tonge occupied a farm on the Hulton's estate in Farnworth during the latter years of the 15th century, and Alice his widow, still held the same farm in the year 1503. The will of William Tonge, of Farnworth, was proved at Chester in 1583.

It was found by an Inquisition taken a Bolton before Edward Ribgy, Esq., Escheator, on the 1st March 1613-1614, that Henry Tong, of Farnworth, Gentleman, died seized in fee of 3 messuages, 3 gardens, 1 orchard, 15 acres of land, 5 acres of meadow, 5 acres of pasture, 2 acres of moss and 12 acres of moor, with the appurtences, in Farnworth, Keasley and Worsley; which are held of Rowland Mosley, Esq., as of his Manor of Manchester, in free socage, and are worth per annum (clear) 26s 8d. Henry Tong dies on 15th January last; and John Tong, his brother, and next heir at the time of Henry's death was aged 26 years & more.

John Tong, of Farnworth, served as a juror upon several Inquisitions taken at Bolton during the years 1615, 1616, 1617 & 1618; he died before 1639, in which year an Inventory of his goods and chattels was exhibited at the Bishops Court in Chester. John Tong, of Farnworth, baptised a son Thomas at the parish church of Bolton, in 1623, a daughter Hannah, in 1626, a son John, in 1628, a son Robert, in 1630, a daughter Christian, in 1633, a daughter Mary in 1635, and a son Samuel, in 1637. The will of Thomas Tonge , of Farnworth, was proved at Chester, in 1626; and the will of another Thomas Tong, in 1637. James Tonge, of Farnworth, baptised a daughter Mary at Bolton parish church in 1625, a son William in 1632, a son John in 1641; and a daughter Margaret in 1644.

The will of Christian Tonge, of Farnworth, was proved at Chester (under 40 pounds value), in 1670. In the year 1678 four members of the family, viz John, James, William and Thomas Tonge, each residing upon his own land in Farnworth, agreed (with others) that Edmund Rishton should be allowed to build a house for himself upon the waste. John Tonge, of Farnworth, yeoman, died in the year 1693, when an Inventory of his goods, &c under 40 pounds value, was exhibited in the Bishop's Court at Chester, and adminstration thereto granted to his next of kin. The will of Thomas Tonge, of Farnworth, yeoman, was proved at Chester in 1716; and adminstration ro rgw goods, &c, of Arabella Tonge, of Farnworth, spinster, was granted in 1768. The will of James Tong, the elder, of Farnworth, yeoman was proved at Chester, in 1787.

Farnworth, Rumworth and Kearsley, Heaton, Halliwell and Horwich

NB: Much of the information in this volume is repeated from the previous volume.

p2. n.d.. witness: Elias de Tonge

p3, 1321.  Grant to Adam, son of John de Lever.  Witness (amongst others) John de Tongh.

p4, n.d.. Henrico de Tonge: Towneleys MSS, Chet. Lib., vol. Inquisitions &c, p771

p4. n.d.. Witness: Elias de Tong (twice): ibid p773, p775

p15, n.d.. Witness: Helia de Tonge, ibid p767

p15, n.d. Witness: Elia de Tonge, ibid p774

p15, 1302, Witness: Elia de Tonge, ibid p781

p15, n.d.. Henrico de Tonge, Elia filio eius, ibid, p771

p15, n.d.. Helia de Tonge, ibid, p772

p17, final concord witnessed by Heni de Tong. (NB: I've copied the date down as "IX Edw. 4", which is 1469 which doesn't fit the dates of the other references, so is probably an error)

p17, 1295.. Elia de Tong (witness)

p17, XXV Edwardi (1296-97), Elia de Tong, (witness)

p30, The Tonge's estate

The Tonges of Farnworth - a branch of the ancient family of that name residing at Tong-with-Haulgh, are one of the most ancient and respectable families in the township. The will of William Tong, of Farnworth, was proved at Chester, in 1583. An Inquistion was taken at Bolton on the 1st March,  (1613-14) before Edward Rigby, Esq., Escheator, and the same jury that served upon the Inq: on Henry Scolecroft, after the death of Henry Toong of Farnworth, Gentelman, when it was found that the said Henry at the time of his death was seised in fee of 3 messuages, 3 gardens, 1 orchard, 15 acres of land, 5 acres of meadow, 5 acres of pasture, 2 acres of moss, and 12 acres of moor, with the appurtenances, in Farnworth, Kearsley and Worsley, which are held of Rowland Mosley, Esq., as of his Manor of Manchester, in free socage, and are worth per annum (clear) 26s 8d. Henry Toong died 15th January last (1613-14); and John Toong his brother and next kin at the time of Henry's death was aged 26 years and more. John Tong, of Farnworth, served as a juror upon several Inquisitions taken at Bolton during the years 1615, -16, -17 and 18; he died before 1639, in which year an inventory of his goods and chattels was exhibited at the Consistory Court of the Bishop of Chester. The will of Christian Tong, of Farnworth, a widow, was proved at Chester in 1670, as being under the value of £40. The will of Thomas Tong, yeoman, was proved at Chester in 1716. Ralph Tonge was Churchwarden for Farnworth at the parish church of Deane for the years 1737, 1738, 1741, 1742, 1744 and 1745; Henry Tonge was Churchwarden for the years 1729 and 1751; Richard Tong in 1749, and James Tonge in 1764. The will of Ellis Tong, the elder, yeoman, was proved at Chester, in 1787.