RECORDS RELATING TO THE NAME MICHAEL THORNBER IN EAST LANCASHIRE

ENGLAND

Michael was an uncommon name among the Thornber families of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries so when it occurs it tends to stand out. This page started out by collecting together a number of fragments of information gathered over several years. In the 17th and 18th centuries the information is too sparse to draw up more than a few family connections but there seems to be consistent pattern of occurrence in Colne, Burnley and Newchurch in Pendle.

Since I began this work I have been in contact with Ian Roberts in Sheffield who has provided much more information. He has researched the family of Michael Thornber who married Mary Hargreaves as shown in Section 4 below.

1. Early Records at St. Bartholomew's, Colne and St. Peter's, Burnley.

The following children of Anthonie Thornburre were baptised at Colne in the early 17th century.

John, 12 October 1624, Colne
Michael, 28 Feb 1626, Colne
Laurence, 27 Jan,1630, Colne
Alice, 17 Aug 1634, Burnley

There was also the following burial: (in which case Alice was born posthumously.)

Anthoni Thornbur, buried 7 May 1634, St. Bartholomew's, Colne.

Note that Anthony is a name that is associated with the Slaidburn group of Thornbers. The Slaidburn register's first entries are for 1600 with a gap until 1631. However, in view of the Newchurch in Pendle connections listed below it is interesting that an Anthony Thornber married Alice (?) in 1624, at Newchurch in Pendle.

The following entries in the late 17th century have been noted. It is conceivable that the Michael marrying Ann Horobin in 1679 might be the son or nephew of the one baptised in 1626. More work needs to be done on the burial registers for Burnley but it is already known that a Michael died in 1684.

Michael Thornber married Ann Horobin by banns on 8 June 1679, Burnley St. Peter.

John son of Michael Thornber, baptised 1 May 1680, Burnley St. Peter

Michael Thornber buried on 26 February 1684, Burnley St. Peter.

Two later entries for St. Peter's shows that a John Thornber had two children baptised, including one called Michael. In view of the use of this name it is possible John was the son of Michael, baptised in 1680.

Mary daughter of John Thornber, baptised on 24 May 1713, Burnley St. Peter.
Michael son of John Thornber, baptised on 27 March 1715, Burnley St. Peter.

2. Michael Thornber and Elizabeth Dugdale at Newchurch in Pendle and Wheatley Lane.

This group starts with a marriage record at Newchurch in Pendle. The origin of this Michael is not know. If he were the one baptised at Newchurch in 1715 he would have been 48 by the time of the marriage in 1763, but he died in 1784.

Michael Thornber married Elizabeth Dugdale, both of this Chapelry, 6 June 1763, itpo Wm Hartley and Roger Folds at Newchurch in Pendle.

There are also a baptism at Newchurch in Pendle as follows:

Elizabeth d. Michael Thornber, 3 Jul 1764

Burials found so far are:

Elizabeth wife of Michael Thornber 3 Jul 1764 (same day as baptism of child above)
Elizabeth d. Michael Thornber, 8 Apr 1765

It would appear that only one child survived, Michael, mentioned in his father's will in 1784.  He may have been baptised as Michael Dugdale.  The same Michael Thornber, then of Wheatley Lane, a weaver, left a will that was passed on 20 May 1784. The executors were sworn on 27 April 1784

Bequest to Michael Thornber, my reputed son by Betty Dugdale, then a single woman but late my wife, deceased, whom I acknowledge for my rightful child.  The will was made on 14 April 1784 and witnesses were Jonas Moore, John Haworth and Jas. Haworth.

This Michael must have died between 14 April and 27 April 1784 and is therefore distinct from the Michael in the next entry who baptised a child four years later in 1788. While typing up Dr. John Laycock's transcription of the Wheatley Lane Inghamite Registers, I encountered the following burial entry which fits the required event:

22 Apr 1784 Michael Thornber of Wheatley Lane

3. Michael and Rebecca Thornber at Colne, Newchurch in Pendle and Wheatley Lane.

This Michael could be the son of Michael and Betty Dugdale mentioned in the will. If he was born before his parents married that would be prior to 1763 making him at least 25 by 1788. 

Baptisms at Colne and Newchurch in Pendle that relate to this family are:

Rebecca, d. Michael and Rebecca Thornber of Pendle Forest on 3 Feb 1788, at St. Bartholomew's Colne
John s. Michael & Rebecca Thornber, 20 Mar 1791 at Newchurch in Pendle
Betty d. Michael & Rebecca Thornber, 30 Aug 1795 at Newchurch in Pendle

Note the following burial reported at Wheatley Lane Inghamites.  It may be Rebecca the wife of Michael Thornber

Rebeka Thornber of Wheatley Lane, buried on 20 Jun 1805.

Rebecca the daughter of Michael Thornber may be the one marrying at Newchurch in Pendle:

Henry Haworth, weaver, married Rebecca Thornber, on 5 March 1810 at Newchurch in Pendle itpo of John Smith and Jas. Bowker.

A further interesting entry was found in the burial register of Wheatley Lane Inghamite Chapel as follows:

Michael Thornber of Wheatley Lane, buried 30 May 1817.

4. Michael Thornber and Mary Hargreaves

I am grateful to Ian Roberts and William de Villiers for their contributions to this section. Ian notes that there there may be two couples called Michael and Mary Thornber because of a problem with ages as described below. In chronological order we have a couple marrying at Colne in 1808.

Michael Thornber of Reedley married Mary Hargreaves on 14 November 1808, at St. Bartholomew's Colne.

This couple lived initially in Little Marsden and their first two children were baptised at Colne in 1809 and 1812. By 1819 the family had moved to Haggate and three children are recorded in the records of the Baptist Chapel. They are recorded in the 1841 census for Burnley (HO 107/506/21 Folio 37 page 15) at Burnley Lane Head, when Michael was 60, Mary 55 and four children were at home as shown below.

No relationships are given in the 1841 census and the ages are usually rounded down to the nearest five. The age of Mary Thornber seems high for her to be the mother of the youngest child but it could be a mistake in the census. If Mary had been 55, she would have been born about 1786. She would have been 22 at the time of the marriage in 1808 and 50 by the birth of the last child William. The Thomas mentioned in Haggate Baptist records would have been 19 by the census of 1841 so the age of 15 may be rounded down.

The following burials at Haggate Baptist Chapel fit with the address of Michael and Mary in the 1841 census. Ian Roberts has obtained a copies of the death certificates as shown below.

Michael Thornber of Lain (sic) Head, buried at Haggate Baptist Chapel on 5 March 1842.
Mary Thornber of Lane Head buried at Haggate Baptist Chapel on 16 February 1847.

Death Certificates:

Michael Thornber, aged 61, weaver, died of consumption on 2 March 1842 at Walshaw Lane, Burnley, informant was Hargreaves Thornber of Walshaw Lane, present at the death.

Mary Thornber, aged 50, widow of Michael Thornber, weaver, died of anascara ten week certified, on 11 February 1847, informant was Mary Lee of Burnley Lane Head, present at the death.

If Michael was aged 61, indicating birth about 1781, he was old enough to be the one that married Mary Hargreaves in 1808. The age on the death certificate would mean that he was indeed 60 at the time of the census in 1841.

However, if Mary was only 50 at her death in 1847, she was born about 1797 and was too young to marry in 1808. Ian Roberts considers that there could be two Marys with the most plausible divide between the birth of Mary in 1825 and the birth of Sarah in 1831. This hypothesis leaves us searching for a further marriage record and would still require there to be an substantial error in one or more records. If there was a second Mary and she was 50 at her death in 1847 then she could have been only 44 at the time of the 1841 census. I have identified the burial of a Mary Thornber with no details of age at Haggate Baptists on 23 November 1825. No abode is given and in the absence of an age it could be either Michael Thornber's wife or infant daughter.

For there to be only one Mary her birth date would be say 1791, making her 17 at the marriage in 1808 and 50 at the census with her last child born when she was 45. She would then be 56 at her death in 1847. This requires errors in both the census and on the death certificate but is not completely impossible.

The following family tree has been compiled in part from information collected by Ian Roberts, incorporating all the material discussed above together with a lot of new information.  The family of Wilfred Earnest Ewart Thornber has been added from information provided by William de Villiers.

• 1. Michael Thornber, born 1780/81 from death record. He was a weaver living at Reedley at the time of his marriage in 1808. He died 2 March 1842, aged 61 at Walshaw Lane Burnley, buried at Haggate Baptist Chapel on 5 March. Informant on death certificate was Hargreaves Thornber
• + Mary Hargreaves, married 14 November 1808, St. Bartholomew's, Colne. Died 11 February 1847, at Walshaw Lane, Burnley said to be widow of Michael Thornber, aged 50. She was buried at Haggate Baptist Chapel on 16 February 1847.
  • 2. John Thornber, son of Michael and Mary of Little Marsden, born 13 January 1809 and baptised 19 February 1809 at St. Bartholomew's, Colne.
  • 2. Margaret Thornber, born 18 July 1812, baptised at St. Bartholomew's, Colne, daughter or Michael and Mary Thornber of Little Marsden. (She may be the Mary Thornber who married William Procter at St. Peter's, Burnley in 1834)
  • 2. Hargreaves Thornber, born about 1813 in Marsden from 1861 census when he was a stonemason's labourer living at Primrose Bank. Assumed to be son of Michael and Mary as her maiden name was Hargreaves. Died 10 June 1873 at 3 Lee Street Burnley, a mason's labourer.
  • + Sarah Foulds married 14 May 1837 at Haggate Baptist Chapel, Burnley. Sarah was born about 1816 in Briercliffe from 1861 census.
    • 3. Hargreaves Thornber, buried Haggate Baptist Chapel 25 November 1839 of Bend Hill. No age given but assumed to be infant and child of Hargreaves and Sarah Thornber. No death certificate for this event.
    • 3. Susannah Thornber, born c. 1838 at Briercliffe from 1861 census when she was an unmarried power loom weaver living with parents at Primrose Bank. She could be the Susan Bradshaw who was the informant on Hargreaves Thornber's death certificate in 1873.
    • 3. Deborah Thornber, born about 1845 at Briercliffe from 1861 census when she was an unmarried power loom weaver living with her parents at Primrose Bank. A GRO index reference for a Deborah exists for Sept Q 1844 at Burnley
      • 4. Norman Thornber, born about 1859 from 1861 census was living with grandparents at Primrose bank and may be son of Deborah or Susannah Thornber. In 1901 census Norman Thornber was 42 and a coal miner living in Burnley. In the 1881 census Norman Thornber aged 22 was cotton weaver in Burnley with his wife Jane, 22, born Brierfield and a daughter Martha, aged 2 born in Brierfield living at 2 Vine Street
  • 2. Michael Thornber, born about 1815 from 1841 census, at which time he was a weaver.  He is assumed to be son of Michael and Mary just from his Christian name and date of birth. In the census of 1841 he is reported to be weaver living at New Ground Top, Burnley and had one child.  In the census of 1851 he was a railway labourer, still at New Ground Top, with his wife and five children. His wife, Mary, was born about 1812/13 in Briercliffe from the census data..
  • + Mary Hirst, married 25 December 1834 at St. Peter's, Burnley.
    • 3. Elizabeth Thornber, born 29 October 1835 from Haggate Baptist Chapel record. In census of 1841
    • 3. John Thornber, born 19 June 1841, son of Michael and Mary (Hirst) Thornber of New Ground Top in Burnley.  At the census of 1861 he was a power loom weaver living with his wife and father-in-law in Brierfield, Lancashire.  In 1871 he was a cotton weaver living in Pickering Street, Little Marsden with his wife and five children.  In the census of 1881 he was a cotton weaver at 7 Hartington Street, Whalley and in 1891 a cotton manufacturer of 30 Claremont Street, Little Marsden with his wife and four youngest children. 
    • + Mary Ann Pickering, married 26 May 1860 at St. Bartholomew's church, Colne. She was daughter of Thomas and Ellen Pickering and was born about 1843 at Brierfield from census of 1881 and her marriage certificate. They had eight children.
      • 4. Susannah Thornber, born 1861/2 at Brierfield, with parents in census of 1881
      • 4. Albert E Thornber, born 1863/4 at Brierfield, with parents in census of 1881 and cotton cloth overlooker in 1901 at 14 Carlton Street in Brierfield.
      • + Isabella ?, born about 1865 at Earby from 1901 census but not with parents in 1881 and had child Maria Thornber born about 1886 at Brierfield.
      • 4. Sarah J Thornber, born 1865/6 at Brierfield from 1881 census, when with parents and a cotton weaver.
      • 4. Mary Thornber, born 1868/9 at Brierfield from 1881 census, when with her parents and a cotton weaver.
      • 4. Wilfred Ernest Ewart Thornber, born about 1871 at Brierfield from 1881 census, when with parents.   In 1891 he was a cotton weaver living with his parents at 30 Claremont Street in Little Marsden.  In 1891 he was an overlooker and lived at 4 Reedley Terrace, Reedley Hallows near Burnley, with his wife and three children.
      • + Emma Wilkinson, daughter of David and Ellen Wilkinson, at Burnley in 1893.  She was born about 1868/9.
        • 5. Evelyn May Thornber, born Brierfield, 1894
        • 5. William Ewart Thornber, born Burnley, 1896
        • 5. Beatrice Thornber, born Brierfield, 1891
        • 5. Kathleen Thornber, born, probably in Brierfield, 1901.  At the age of 19, she was described as of 65 Market Street, Church, Lancashire, when she married Walter Meredith, born Accrington in 1899, at Haslingden Register Office, on 11 July 1921. (By this time, Kathleen's father had died but she described him as a mill-wright.)
      • 4. Betty P. Thornber, born 1873/4 in Brierfield from 1881 census, when with her parents.
      • 4. Ellen H. Thornber, born 1877/8 at Brierfield from 1881 census, when with her parents. In 1901 a cotton weaver a 30 Claremont Street in Burnley.
      • 4. Walter H Thornber, born 1882/3 from 1901 census when with parents and a joiner. The death of a Walter Thornber, aged 17 is in the GRO index for June quarter of 1901 at Burnley.
    • 3. William Thornber, born 5 January 1848 son of Michael and Mary (Hirst) Thornber at New Ground Top, Burnley. A cotton weaver in 1881 living at New Ground Top. In the 1901 census a cotton weaver living at 1 Whalley Street, Burnley.
    • + Jane Riley, born 1849/50 at Burnley from 1881 census but not with husband at census of 1901. (The surname Riley was sent to me by John Clarke together with the information on her son Edmundson and his wife.
      • 4. Ellen Thornber, born about 1871 in Burnley from 1881 census
      • 4. Nancy Thornber, born about 1873 in Burnley from 1881 census. With father in 1901.
      • 4. Michael Thornber, born c. 1874 in Burnley from 1881 census. In 1901 a woollen felter at 28 Old St., Rawtenstall. Reported as married but wife not present on the evening of the census.
      • + Catherine ? was reported as daughter-in-law at 1 Whalley Street Burnley in census of 1901. Born c. 1877 at Bacup. Also in the house an Edmondson Thornber, grandson.
      • 4. Edmondson Thornber, born c. 1876 at Burnley from 1881 census. Cotton weaver in 1901 at 1 Newton Street, Clitheroe
      • + Sarah Helen Maud nee Driver born about 1876 at Sheffield from census of 1901.
        • 5. Ernest A Thornber, born c. 1897 at Burnley from census of 1901
        • 5. Percy Thornber, born c. 1898 at Burnley from census of 1901.
        • 5. Nellie Thornber, married Smith Clarke
      • 4. Wilkinson Thornber, born c. 1880 at Burnley from census of 1881. A cotton weaver at 7 Randall Street in Burnley in 1901.
      • + Sarah ?, married prior to 1901 census. Born Burnley c. 1883 from 1901 census.
        • 5. William E. Thornber, born about 1900 in Burnley from 1901 census.
      • 4. Elizabeth Thornber, born c. 1880 at Burnley from 1881 census. In 1901 a cotton weaver with her parents.
      • 4. Thomas Thornber, born c. 1883 at Burnley from 1901 census when he was a cotton weaver living with his parents.
      • 4. Willie Thornber, born c. 1885 at Burnley from 1901 census when he was a cotton weaver living with his parents.
      • 4. Harry Thornber, born c. 1895 at Burnley from 1901 census.
  • 2. Betty Thornber born at Coalpit House Burnley, recorded birth as 7 August 1819 at Haggate Baptist Chapel, dau. of Michael and Mary.
  • 2. Thomas Thornber, born Woodhouse, Little Marsden, Burnley, 11 April 1822 as recorded at Haggate Baptist Chapel, son of Michael and Mary Thornber. At his marriage, a weaver of full age living at Primrose Bank, Burnley. In 1851 census a labourer at New Ground Top but dead by 1861.
  • + Ann Lee, a minor, spinster and a weaver, dau. of Robert Lee a joiner when she married on 27 November 1843 at Briercliffe Church. Born c. 1825 from 1861 census by which time she was a widow.
    • 3. John Thornber, born c. 1846 in Burnley from 1861 census living with widowed mother at 15 Back Hammerton Street, Burnley.
    • 3. Robert Thornber, born c. 1848 in Burnley from 1861 census. In 1881 a cotton weaver living with his brother Hargreaves Thornber at 260 Colne Road, Burnley. Not found in 1901 but there is a death of a Robert aged 55 in GRO index for December quarter of 1900 which could fit.
    • 3. Hargreaves Thornber, born 4 March 1851 at New Ground Top, Burnley, son of Thomas and Ann (Lee) Thornber. When he married in 1876 he was a cotton weaver of 16 Ivy Street. In 1881 he was a cotton weaver and grocer at 260 Colne Road, Burnley.
    • + Sarah Ann Procter, married 1 January 1876 at Ebenezer Baptist Chapel, Burnley when she was 22, a cotton weaver, living at 21 Heap Street, the daughter of William Procter, a contractor. Born c. 1853 from census of 1881.
      • 4. Millicent E. Thornber, born c. 1878 at Burnley from 1881 census. A Millicent appears in the index of the 1901 census, aged 22, a cotton winder born and living in Burnley.
    • 3. Michael Thornber, born c. 1855 in Burnley from 1861 census when he lived with his mother at 15 Back Hammerton Street.
    • 3. Mary Thornber, born c. 1857 in Burnley from 1861 census.
  • 2. Mary Thornber, born at Mounford, Pendle Forest, 25 Jan 1825 and recorded at Haggate Baptist Chapel as dau. of Michael and Mary Thornber. She or her mother may be the Mary buried at Haggate in November 1825.
  • 2. Samuel Thornber, born c. 1831 at Brierfield from census records. In 1841 census with parents at Lane Head. At time of his first marriage a groom, son of Michael Thornber and living in Burnley. During his second marriage, recorded in 1861 census as a farmer of 20 acres at Tyndale moving to Higher Spen, Goldshaw Booth. Married a third time and died 15 April 1906, buried Newchurch in Pendle aged 75. Will names third wife as Annie and four children.
  • + 1st wife Alice Greenhalgh, married 12 Feb 1854 at St. Peter's, Burnley. She was baptised 6 Sept 1829 at St. Peter's, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Willis) Greenhalgh. She died of tuberculosis on 8 Feb 1859 at Paradise Street, Burnley. No known issue
  • + 2nd wife Elizabeth Holt, married 13 September 1860 at St. Peter's Burnley. She was born c. 1831 at Tyndale, Goldshaw Booth, dau. of Giles and Margaret Holt.
    • 3. Mary Jane Thornber, born 21 March 1861 (Birth Cert) died 20 March 1938 (Monumental Inscription) and buried at Newchurch in Pendle.
    • + George Thomas Duerden, born c. 1855 at Brierfield and died 16 January 1946, buried Newchurch in Pendle, (MI). In census of 1881 a butcher in Whalley and later a gentlemen's outfitter.
    • 3. Margaret Thornber, born c. 1864 at Higher Spen, Goldshaw Booth, Newchurch in Pendle. Died at New Row, Holden on 7 September 1926 and buried at Bolton by Bowland (MI).
    • + Thomas Roberts, in June quarter of 1886 at Burnley. He was born March quarter of 1860 in Burnley the son of Henry and Hannah (Robinson) Roberts. He was a farmer initially at Rumforth near Bolton in Lancashire and later at Bolton by Bowland. Died 30 July 1932 and buried at Bolton by Bowland (MI). This couple are the ancestors of Ian Roberts who prepared this family tree.
    • 3. Annie Thornber, born c. 1868. Lived at 32 Ashfield Grove, Reedley, Burnley and died 23 May 1914 (probate papers).
    • + 1st husband William Henry Hartley, married June quarter of 1886 in Burnley. He was born c. 1854 and died in 1894.
    • + 2nd husband Joseph Rodwell. Married after 1906. He was born c.1867 from 1901 census and died in 1942. He had been married previously.
    • 3. John Thornber, born 1872, farmer at Bank Top Farm, Lostock near Bolton. Died 5 April 1932 and buried Newchurch in Pendle
    • + Hannah Jane Parkinson, married June Quarter of 1899 at Salford at Pendleton Church near Manchester. She was born c. 1876 from 1901 census when named as Annie. Died 18 December 1962 and buried at Newchurch in Pendle (MI).
      • 4. Florence Maude Thornber, born at Lostock
      • + Charles Rigby, married 7 September 1931. He was a gardener on Leverhulme estate and died 31 June 1966
      • 4. Elizabeth Thornber, died unmarried 27 November 1927
      • 4. John Raymond Thornber, born c. 1908. Lived at Bolton then Westhoughton. Retail manager. Died 13 Aug 2000. (Two daughters)
      • 4. James Albert Thornber born c. 1912. One son known.
  • + 3rd wife of Samuel, Annie Fisher, married 20 December 1887 at St. Peter's Burnley. She was born c. 1845 at Keswick in Cumberland from 1901 census and survived her husband, Samuel.
  • 2. William Thornber, born c. 1836 from 1841 census when living at Lane Head, Burnley. A farm labourer living at 82 Townley Street in 1881 census.
  • + Ellen ?, born about 1836 from 1881 census. (She may be the Ellen "Shomber" in the 1901 census, aged 65 and living with an unmarried daughter, Sarah E. Thornber at Briercliffe Road, Burnley
    • 3. Stephen Thornber, born c. 1861 from 1881 census when at 82 Townley Road, Burnley with his parents.
    • 3. Nancy Thornber, born c. 1863 from 1881 census when a cotton weaver.
    • 3. Sarah Thornber, born c. 1867 from 1881 census when cotton weaver.
    • 3. Esther Thornber, born c. 1871 from 1881 census.

In January 2008 I was contacted by John Clarke doing research on a Thornber family in the Burnley area.  He reports William the son of Michael Thornber and Mary Hirst, reported above in generation 3, married Jane Riley. Their son, Edmondson Thornber married Sarah Helen Maud (nee Driver).  They had three children, Ernest, Percy and Nellie, who married Smith Clarke.  This information has been incorporated into the tree.

Return to Thornber Index page