THE FAMILY OF ANTHONY THORNBER IN SLAIDBURN
FORMERLY YORKSHIRE, NOW LANCASHIRE, ENGLAND

Anthony Thornber was baptised the son of Giles Thornber and Margaret Jackson on 13 May 1705 at Slaidburn.  Anthony married Hannah Booker, both of Slaidburn on 21 April 1733, at Gisburn, by licence.  On the marriage bond and allegation, dated 18 April 1733, it states that Anthony of Brookhouse Green, yeoman, above 27, and Hannah Bouker of Slaidburn, aged above 26, were licensed for a marriage at Slaidburn or Gisburn.  Anthony was a bondsman as was Henry Isherwood of Gisburn, yeoman.

The administration of Anthony's will began on 26 October 1762 so we can identify him as the Anthony of Brookhouse Green, buried on 28 September 1762 at Slaidburn.  Hannah Thornber, his wife, of Brookhouse Green, was buried a few days later on 4 October 1762.

There are baptism records at Slaidburn for the following children except Ralph.  There is a gap in 1736 in the Slaidburn registers and this probably accounts for there being no record for him. We know from the date of Ralph's marriage that he cannot be one of the younger children and so the gap between 1734 and 1738 seems most likely for him.
 

• 1.      Anthony Thornber, bapt. 13 May 1705, Slaidburn, buried 28 Sept 1762, Slaidburn.  Will of 17 April 1756 gives children as Ralph, John, Giles, William, Anthony, Elizabeth and Margaret.  William and Anthony were said to be the youngest sons.
• +      Hannah Booker, 21 April 1733 at Gisburn by licence; marriage bond and allegation state he was 27 or above and she 26 or above.  Hannah was baptised in 1704 in Slaidburn, and was buried 4 Oct 1762, Slaidburn..
  • 2.      Giles, son of Anthony of Woodhouse bapt. 21 April 1734, at Slaidburn. A Giles was buried at Slaidburn on 15 Oct. 1789.  There is an Admon. for a Gyles, late of Slaidburn, by Betty Thornber, widow and administratrix, dated 10 Dec 1789.
  • +       Elizabeth Bleazard in Slaidburn on 4 Jan 1763, both of this parish, witnesses were John Thornber and Chris Weanman.
  • 2.      Ralph must have been born about 1736 but his baptism record has not been found as noted above.  He is known to be the son of Anthony from Anthony's will.  Ralph must have been born before 1743 to marry at full age.  Ralph Thornber of Mittons in Woodhouse, buried Slaidburn, 26 June 1793
  • +      Mary Wilson in Slaidburn on 16 February 1764, both of this parish, in the presence of Robert Coat and Wm Wainwright.  Burial of Mary Thornber of Bridge End, on 10 Sep 1821, aged 84, (plausible for Ralph's wife.)
    • 3.     Anthony, son of Ralph of Brookhouse Green, bapt. 23 Sept 1764, at Slaidburn.
    • 3.     Wm, son of Ralph of Brookhouse Green, bapt. 27 July 1766, at Slaidburn. See link for details of William Thornber who married Mary Ellison and had a family in Blackburn
    • 3.     Jennet, dau. of Ralph of Brookhouse Green, bapt. 5 Feb 1769, at Slaidburn.  She was said to be of Woodhouse Lane when buried on 4 Dec 1783 at Slaidburn.
    • 3.     Ralph, son of Ralph, of Brookhouse Green, bapt. on 19 June 1771, at Slaidburn.  This is probably the Ralph, of Slaidburn, cotton weaver, who married Alice Banks of the same parish on 30 May 1801, by licence.  The minister was Joseph Bowman, curate and the witnesses William Banks and Wm Slaiter.  The marriage bond and allegation of 28 May 1801 states that Ralph, cotton weaver of Slaidburn, 21 or over, bachelor, was licensed to marry Alice Banks of Slaidburn, 17 or above, spinster, at Slaidburn.  The bondsmen were Ralph himself and John Banks of Slaidburn, farrier, who appeared personally to swear that he was the natural and lawful father of Alice Banks and that he agreed to the marriage.  They had at least 10 children all baptised at Slaidburn.
      • 4.     Alice, dau. of Ralph & Alice of Burnside, bapt. 23 June 1805 at Slaidburn. Alice Thornber, full age, spinster, of Staple Oak, Parish of Slaidburn, dau. of Ralph Thornber, labourer, married Thomas Laycock, of full age, bachelor, labourer of Wycollar, son of Thomas Laycock, farmer on 27 September 1842 at Colne Parish Church. Witnesses were Peter Smith and James Laycock. (Marriage Cert.)
      • 4.     Ralph, son of Ralph & Alice of Burnside, bapt. 17 May 1807 at Slaidburn
      • 4.     John son of Ralph & Alice of Woodhouse, bapt. 12 June 1810 at Slaidburn. John Thornber of full age, bachelor, labourer of Colne Moor, son of Ralph Thornber, farmer, married Susan Whitaker, minor, a spinster of Nar End, the daughter of William Whitaker a farmer on 8 January 1839 at Colne Parish Church in the presence of Peter Smith and Ralph Thornber. (Marriage Cert.) See pages for Halifax and Todmorden.
      • 4.     Mary Ann,dau. of Ralph and Alice of Underburn bapt. 25 Dec 1812 at Slaidburn, died 18 October 1866 in Yorkshire.  Mary Ann Thornber, of full age, spinster of Colne Moor, daughter of Ralph Thornber, farmer married Peter Smith, of full age, bachelor, labourer of Cowling, the son of William Smith on 14 July 1840 at Colne Parish Church in the presence of James Smith and James Ellis. (Marriage Cert.) Peter Smith, born 1820, died 26 Sept 1867 in Yorkshire.
      • 4.     Jennet, dau. of Ralph and Alice of Underburn, bapt. 2 Apr 1815 at Slaidburn.  She died on 23 June 1896 in Fall River, Columbia County, Wisconsin, USA.  On 12 May 1844 she married Phineas Parkinson Baxandall in England; he was born 9 Nov 1819 in Skipton,  Yorkshire. (Foothnote 1)
      • 4. Elizabeth, dau. of Ralph and Alice of Underburn, bapt. 6 Apr 1817 at Slaidburn.
      • 4. Jane, dau. of Ralph, a weaver, and Alice, of Woodhouse, bapt. on 19 Sept 1819 at Slaidburn
      • 4. William, son of Ralph, a farmer, and Alice, of Veepings, bapt. 2 Feb 1823 at Slaidburn
      • 4. Hannah, dau. of Ralph, a farmer, and Alice, of Hey, bapt. 26 Sept 1824 at Slaidburn
      • 4. James, son of Ralph, a farmer, and Alice, of Hey, bapt. 25 Feb 1827 at Slaidburn.
    • 3.     Giles, son of Ralph of Brookhouse Green, bapt. 1 Jan 1774, at Slaidburn.
    • 3.     John, son of Ralph of Brookhouse Green, bapt. 19 May 1776, at Slaidburn
    • 3.     Christr, (Christopher) son of Ralph of Brookhouse Green, bapt. 10 June 1781, at Slaidburn
    • 3.     Edmund, son of Ralph of Woodhouse Lane, bapt. on 11 Jan 1784, at Slaidburn
    • 3. Molly dau. of Ralph of Davisons bapt. 14 May 1786, at Slaidburn.  
  • .2.     John, son of Anthony of Woodhouse, bapt. 27 Dec 1738, at Slaidburn. Burial of John Thornber of Woodhouse on 16 Dec 1797 aged 58.  This fits a birth in the region of 1738/9.  John left a will of 6 March 1797, naming sons William, John, Anthony, Giles and Benjamin and a daughter, Hannah the wife of Wm. Richardson fitting the children known to be baptised except for Hannah.
  • +     Ann Wilson, by licence, both of this parish, in Slaidburn on 9 July 1763, witnesses were Richard Bradley and Will Slaiter.  The marriage bond and allegation, dated 7 July 1763 stated that John Thornber of Brookhouse Green, Slaidburn, farmer of 22 or over and Ann Wilson of Brookhouse Green, 21 or above, spinster, were licensed to marry at Slaidburn.  Bondsmen were John himself and Richard Bradley of Height, farmer.  The details on the marriage allegation are consistent with this being John the son of Anthony, baptised in 1738.  Ann Thornber of Brookhouse Green was buried at Slaidburn on 25 April 1791.
    • 3.     Ann, dau. of John of Brookhouse Green, bapt. 30 July 1763 at Slaidburn.  Ann, dau. of John of Brookhouse Green was buried on 31 July 1763 at Slaidburn.
    • 3.     Betty, dau. of John, bapt. 7 Oct 1764 at Slaidburn.
    • 3.     Jane dau of Jno. Thornber of Woodhouse was interred in the church 9 June 1796 at Slaidburn, aged 28.  This means that she was born about 1768.
    • 3.     William son of John of Brookhouse Green, bapt. 19 Nov 1769 at Slaidburn.  William Thornber of Woodhouse was buried on 2 Apr 1799, aged 29at Slaidburn. His will, dated 28 Feb 1799 mentioned his brothers John, Anthony, Giles and Benjamin, a sister Hannah Richardson, and his wife Hannah.
    • 3.     John, son of John of Brookhouse Green bapt. 30 Aug 1772 at Slaidburn.
    • 3.     Anthony, son of John of Brookhouse Green, bapt. 20 Aug 1775 at Slaidburn.
    • 3.     Giles, son of John bapt. 22 March 1778 at Slaidburn.
    • 3.     Benjamin, son of John of Brookhouse Green, bapt. 15 July 1781 at Slaidburn.
    • 3.     Hannah is known from her father’s will and the will of her brother, William.  No baptism record has been found.  She married William Richardson from the evidence of her father's will. The baptisms of some of her children have been found in the registers for Skipton in Craven.
    • +      William Richardson
      • 4. Ann Richardson, 2nd daughter of William Richardson of Skyracks, labr. son of Edward Richardson of Meer Sykes near Wigglesworth, labourer and Hannah, daughter of John Thornber, late of Woodhouse near Slaidburn, labourer, born 26 Jan, bapt. 10 March 1799, Skipton in Craven.
      • 4. Anthony Richardson, 4th son, born 23 March, bapt. 19 April 1800, Skipton in Craven.
      • 4. Robert Richardson, 5th son, born 9 June, bapt. 4 July 1802, Skipton in Craven.
      • 4. Hannah Richardson, 3rd daughter, born 3 April, bapt. 5 May 1804, Skipton in Craven.
      • 4. Jane Richardson, 4th daughter, born 3 May, bapt. 2 June 1811, Skipton in Craven
  • 2. Elizabeth, daughter of Anthony of Woodhouse, was baptised on 9 April 1741 at Slaidburn.  Elizabeth Thornber of Brookhouse Green, spinster, was buried on 6 June 1763 at Slaidburn
  • 2.     Jennet, daughter of Anthony of Woodhouse, was baptised on 30 Jan 1743 at Slaidburn.  Jennet, daughter of Anthony of Woodhouse, buried at Slaidburn on 29 October 1761.
  • 2.     William, son of Anthony of Woodhouse, was bapt. 20 October 1745 at Slaidburn. (See Footnote 2.)  The will of William, who died in 1828, confirms the name of his wife as Jane and the children baptised at Slaidburn.  It names two other children, Thomas and Ann whose baptism records have not been found. William Thornber of Stony Bank, was buried at Slaidburn on 19 February 1828, aged 82. (fits birth in 1745/6)
  • +      Jane (x) Brennand of Slaidburn, by banns, by R Brockbank, curate, witn: Ralph Thornber and William Brennand, 7 Jan 1772 at Slaidburn.  Jane Brennand was born in 1748.  Jane Thornber of Stoneybankwas buried at Slaidburn on 10 June 1831 aged 82.  The family of William Thornber and Jane Brennand is covered on a separate page.
  • 2. Margaret, dau. of Anthony of Woodhouse, baptised on 8 March 1747 at Slaidburn
  • 2.     Anthoney, son of Anthony of Woodhouse, bapt. 12 March 1749 at Slaidburn. Merle Thornber in Australia has found a burial record at Blackburn St. Mary for an Anthony Thornber on 9 February 1794. There was also a note in the Blackburn Mail on Wednesday 12 February 1794 recording that Anthony Thornber, aged 54 had died on the previous Thursday. No other Anthony is known who was born about 1749.
  • +      Margaret (x) Fell of Slaidburn, spinster, by banns, 5 Feb 1774, at Slaidburn by Thos Wilson, curate, witn; Wm Slaiter and Agnes Slaiter.  All the children mentioned below were baptised at Slaidburn.  (Footnote 3.)
    • 3.     Hannah, 23 May 1774, dau. of Anthony of Champion,
    • 3.     Sarah, 4 November 1775, dau. of Anthony of Woodhouse.
    • 3.     Anthony, 25 January 1778, son of Anthony of Woodhouse.
    • 3.     Betty, 13 July 1788, dau. of Anthony of Davisons.

Footnote 1.

Information from John Udell who has a letter to Jennet from her brother James signed "from your brother and sister J & G Thornber", dated Nov 24, 1890.  The letter mentions a sister Jane.  The sister with initial G. has not been identified.)

Footnote 2.

The William born in 1749, son of Ralph, can be distinguished from this William who married Jane Brennand in having a daughter, Agnes, who is mentioned in her grandfather’s will in 1790 and in her father's will in 1823 as described in the tree shown on Slaidburn families page 1

Footnote 3.

In Waddington there is another Anthony who married Alice Clayton in 1768.  He had children, Ann, Giles, Richard, Peggy, John and William baptised in Waddington between 1769 and 1789.  There is also a Jenney baptised at Great Mitton in 1797 said to be the daughter of Anthony and Alice.  There are two children of an Anthony Thornber, baptised at Bolton by Bowland, Alice, 6 September 1772 and Thomas, 15 March 1780.  This Anthony may be the one baptised in Waddington in 1745 the son of Richard.
 

Slaidburn Families page 1
Slaidburn Families Page 3
Slaidburn Families Page 4

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