A THORNBER FAMILY IN BLACKBURN, LANCASHIRE, ENGLAND
WITH ORIGINS IN SLAIDBURN: EMIGRATION TO THE USA

Slaidburn 6

This tree arises from a collaboration with Bernard Steele of the Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society. As a result of our contact I was able to identify that the Blackburn family he was researching was descended from one of the Slaidburn branches shown on this web site. After the first two generations, the information has been obtained by Bernard and I am grateful to him for permission to reproduce it here.

• 1. William Thornber, son of Ralph of Brookhouse Green, bapt. 27 July 1766, at St. Andrew's, Slaidburn. See link for details of his descent. William was buried at All Saint's Hindley, near Wigan on 23 November 1819 aged 53.
• + Mary Ellison, by banns on 19 August 1789 at St. Mary's, Blackburn. Both were said to be of the parish of Blackburn. William was a weaver and Mary a spinster; he signed as Wm and she made her mark. One of the witnesses was Richard Thornber. Mary is known from the details of the baptism of one of her children to have been the daughter of William and Ellen Ellison. She was born in Oswaldtwistle
  • 2. Anthony Thornber, son of William and Mary Thornber, bapt. 26 March 1797, St. Mary's, Blackburn. He was a carter. Wife's name was Easter or Ester from the baptism records of one child. In 1841 Census for Blackburn Anthony was 44, with no wife but seven children. Bernard Steele found that an Anthony Thornber died on 15 January 1864 at 50 Park Road, Blackburn. He was a coal dealer and said to be 69 and the informant was William Coppack of the same address. Anthony was buried on 20 January in the C. of E. section of Blackburn cemetery and recorded as being 67. (The same grave has William Thornber, buried 23 May 1860 and Ann Thornber buried 12 April 1863. Given that Anthony was a coal dealer from his death record could it be that he was the Anthony Thornborrow, bachelor and coal dealer, who married Margaret Ward, widow at Blackburn St. Mary on 30 October 1841. See below and Footnote 1)
    • 3. William Thornber, born abt. 1815/16, known from C51 and burial record where he is described as William son of Anthony, aged 45 years and of 74 Blakey Moor, buried on 23 May 1860. He was buried in the same grave as Anthony above. For details of administration of his estate, see Footnote 1.
    • + Ann Cunliffe. Marriage certificate shows William Thornborough, of full age, bachelor and labourer, son of Anthony Thornboroug, labourer, married Ann Cunliff of full age, widow, daughter of James Cunliffe, weaver, on 2 July 1846 at the Parish Church, Blackburn. Ann, widow of the late William Thornber aged 44 years, of 72 Blakey Moor, was buried on 12 April 1863 at Blackburn cemetery.
    • 3. Mary Thornber, born abt. 1819 from 1841 census. Mary, said to be the daughter of Anthony Thornber, carter, was married on 25 December 1844 at Church Kirk, Lancashire, to John William Wood, weaver, the son of John Wood. Bride and groom were of full age and both residing in Oswaldtwistle. Witnesses were Jonathan Toothe and Henry Hayes.
    • 3. Alice Thornber, born abt. 1821 and known only from census of 1841
    • 3. Ann Thornber, born abt. 1823 and known only from census of 1841
    • 3. Anthony Thornber, son of Anthony Thornber & Easter of Blackburn, carter, born 8 September 1826 and baptised at St. Peter's Blackburn on 23 September 1826. In 1851 he was a labourer in a cotton mill, aged 24, and living in Wood Street, Blackburn. He was a general labourer in 1881 and said to be 48, living at 51 Higher Audley, Blackburn, with his wife, Mary, 55, daughter Mary, 18, and widower son, John, aged 28 who had three children from his his first marriage. Anthony, of 240 New Road, Little Harwood, Blackburn died 8 July 1891 and was buried 13 July 1891 at Blackburn Cemetery, Whalley New Road. Death Certificate gives age as 64 and burial register as 62. Cause of death was pneumonia, informant was William Thornber, son, of 107 Ingham Street, Blackburn
    • + Mary Morry (Moray) on 13 January 1849 at Blackburn Register Office, when the groom was said to be 22 years old, residing at Turner Square, Blackburn and the son of Anthony Thornber, a carter. The bride was said to be 21 and residing at Tontine Street, Blackburn; witnesses were Thos. Mercer and Geo. Warrington (Marriage Certificate) Mary was born 6 June 1827 at Wigan and bapt. 30 September 1827 at St. Paul's Independent Chapel, Wigan, the daughter of George Morry and Rachel nee Wood. Mary, resident at 16 Eleanor Street at the time of her death, was buried on 20 March 1890 at Blackburn Cemetery, Whalley New Road. Burial register gives her age erroneously as 60, should be 62. (Grave in Nonconformist Section 'G', 11111)
      • 4. William Thornber, born Q4 1849, power loom cotton weaver. William was living at 6 Walter Street, Blackburn when he died, aged 65, and was buried on 11 November 1914 at Blackburn Cemetery, Whalley New Road, Blackburn. He was buried with his wife and two children who predeceased him. (Nonconformist Section 'G' 11110) In the 1881 and 1891 census he was with wife and family at 107 Ingham Street.
      • + Amelia Clayton on 14 November 1871 at St. George's United Presbyterian Church. The groom was living at 43 Riley Street and the bride at Ingham Street and the witnesses were John Thornber and Ann Bolton. Amelia was born abt. 1851, Blackburn, the daughter of James Clayton. She was a power loom cotton weaver. She was living at 6 Walter Street when she died, aged 65, and was buried 30 October 1917 at Blackburn Cemetery, Whalley New Road. (Nonconformist Section 'G' 11110)
        • 5. John Thornber, born abt. 1872, resident at 55 Higher Audley Street, Blackburn at his death, aged 3, and was buried 3 August 1875, at Blackburn Cemetery. (Nonconformist Section 'G' 11110)
        • 5. Arthur Thornber, born abt. 1874, Blackburn. Was a cotton weaver in 1891.
        • 5. Thomas Thornber, born abt. 1876, Blackburn, cotton weaver in 1891.
        • + Annie Savage, on 28 March 1901 at Primitive Methodist Chapel, when groom said to be 24 of 6 Walter Street and bride 26 of 45 Oxford St. Blackburn. Witnesses were Albert Thornber and Mary J Savage. Annie Savage was born abt. 1874 the daughter of Thomas and Charlotte Savage.
        • 5. Mary Alice Thornber, born October 1877, of 55 Higher Audley Street, Blackburn, died aged 6 weeks and buried 11 December 1877 at Blackburn Cemetery. (Nonconformist Section 'G' 11110)
        • 5. Albert Thornber, born abt. 1880, Blackburn, occupation cotton weaver in 1891.
        • 5. Frederick Thornber, born abt. 1882, 107 Ingham Street, Blackburn.
        • 5. William Thornber, born abt. 1889, 107 Ingham Street, Blackburn.
        • 5. Ada Thornber, born abt. 1889, 107 Ingham Street, Blackburn, occupation cotton weaver. She married William Alder, iron driller, son of John Alker, on 26 December 1915 at Congregational Chapel, Audley Range, Blackburn. Bride said to be 26 and resident at 6 Walter Street, groom said to be 26 and of 205 Walter Street, Blackburn. Witnesses were John and Mary Alker.
      • 4. John Thornber, born abt 1852. Occupation soldier and cotton weaver. Emigrated to the USA, died on 4 August 1914 in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
      • + 1st wife, Ann Rhodes. She was born abt. 1853, died 16 March 1880 when she was resident at 59 Daisy Street.
        • 5. Priscilla Thornber, born Q4 1873, Blackburn, cotton weaver in 1891, died Massachusetts. At her marriage she was 21, a cotton weaver of 68 Daisy Street, Blackburn, daughter of John Thornber, cotton weaver.
        • + Jabez Newby, 18, corn miller's warehouseman of 21 Cromwell Street, Blackburn, son of Jabez Newby, corn miller's carter, on 15 October 1893 at Primitive Methodists Chapel, Higher Audley, Blackburn. (In C81 the Newby family were living at 53 Walter Street, Blackburn when Jabez senior was 41, a carter, born Oswaldtwistle, and his wife Ann, also 41 was born Yate. Jabez junior was then 6 and born Oswaldtwistle and one of ten children)
        • 5. Mary Elizabeth Thornber, b. Q1 1875, Blackburn, cotton weaver in 1891, married William Sykes 14 July 1906. She died 24 December 1954.
        • 5. Edward Thornber, born Q1 1875, Blackburn, died 29 January 1878.
        • 5. Walter son of John Thornber, cotton weaver, and Ann formerley Rhodes, born 18 July 1878.
      • + 2nd wife, Esther Yates on 14 April 1881 at St. Thomas' Parish Church, Blackburn. The groom was resident at 51 Higther Audley Street and the bride at 81 Derby Street Blackburn; witnesses were William and Martha Croasdale. Ester was born 27 January 1850, Row Lee Blackburn, the daughter of William Yates and Betty Sharples. In 1881 she was a cotton weaver. She died on 11 June 1899, Cancer Hospital, Stanley Grove, Manchester, buried 15 June 1899 at Blackburn Cemetery (C of E Section 'O' grave No. 16946 with her sister Jane Alice Gill and brother Thomas). Informant on Death Certificate was John Thornber, widower of deceased, of 6 Sour Milk Hall Lane, Blackburn.
        • 5. Aaron Thornber, born 21 May 1884, died 1 October 1884.
        • 5. Ebenezer Thornber, born 5 June 1885, died 11 July 1953, Warwick, Rhode Island.
        • 5. Maud Thornber, born 2 April 1887, married in USA to John Gray on 5 March 1922 and died 21 September 1977 in Texas.
        • 5. Beatrice Thornber (triplet) born 10 March 1888, died 16 March 1888.
        • 5. Willam Thornber (triplet) born 10 March 1888, died 16 March 1888.
        • 5. Elizabeth Alice Thornber, (triplet) born 10 March 1888, died 16 March 1888.
      • 4. Esther daughter of Anthony Thornber was buried at St. Mary's Blackburn on 23 July 1859 aged 4 weeks, with residence given as 2 Bolton Street. (Information from Merle Thornber)
        
      • 4. Mary Thornber, born abt. 1862, Blackburn
      • + Bernard Smith
        • 5. Walter Smith, born July 1884, died September 1884, of 38 Riley Street, Blackburn, buried 1 October 1884, Blackburn Cemetery in same grave as his grandparents, Nonconformist Section 'G', grave 11111
    • 3. James Thornber, born abt. 1829 from 1841 census
    • 3. Ellen Thornber, born abt. 1832 from 1841 census
    • 3. Jane Thornber, born about 1835 from 1841 census. She was a card room hand (cotton) unmarried and living with her brother at 4 Wood Street, Blackburn in the 1851 census
    • 3. Ester Thornber? An Esther died aged 3, and is known to be the dau. of Anthony Thornber a labourer from enquiries at the register office. The record is December quarter 1839, ref. Blackburn 21 6. She may belong to this family
  • 2. Alice Thornber, bapt. 30 November 1799, St. Mary's, Blackburn. See footnote 2.
  • 2. Nancy Thornber, bapt. 2 July 1802, St. Mary's, Blackburn
  • 2. John Thornber, bapt. 21 July 1802, St. Mary's, Blackburn. Possibly the John Thornber described as confectioner, and bachelor who married Elizabeth Shorrock, spinster, Blackburn St. Mary, 1 Jan 1825, both signed in the presence of Richd. Maudsley and Wm. Hallam. Note that John's brother James, two below, was a confectioner
  • 2. Mary Thornber, bapt. 14 October 1804, St. Mary's, Blackburn, see footnote 2.
  • 2. James Thornborough, bapt. 26 September 1808, All Saints, Wigan, the son of William and Mary Thornborough, nee Ellison. (The names of the parents are sufficient for us to identify this record although the name is given as Thornborough). James Ellison Thornborough, confectioner and bachelor, married Martha Sargent, spinster on 23 September 1827 at Blackburn St. Mary, both made their mark, in the presence of Richard Maudsley
    • 3. Mary Ann Thornber, dau. of James and Martha, confectioner of Blackburn, baptised at Blackburn St. Mary on 17 Jan 1832.
    • 3. Alice Thornber, dau. of James and Martha, confectioner of Blackburn, baptised at Blackburn St. Mary on 7 March 1832.
  • 2. Ralph Thornber (twin) born 30 July 1812, Hindley, near Wigan, bapt. 25 October 1812 at All Saints, Hindley. Ralph and his twin William, were said to be the fifth and six sons of William and Mary Thornber, nee Ellison, indicating that there is a further, missing son.  Ralph son of William Thornbar, weaver of Hindley and his wife Mary was buried at All Saint's, Hindley on 9 March 1813.
  • 2. William Thornber (twin) born 30 July 1812, Hindley, near Wigan, bapt. 25 October 1812 at All Saints, Hindley. He was buried, aged 10 on 3 November 1822 at All Saints, Hindley

Footnote 1.

Merle Thornber has found the following details in the 1841 census for Blackburn at Holt Buildings which indicates that Anthony had more children than have been located so far in registers.

In addition Merle found the following details in the 1851 census for Holt Buildings in Blackburn which fit the other people in the grave in Blackburn cemetery. William Thornber, aged 35, a broker, born in Blackburn was with his wife Ann, aged 32, a housekeeper born in Blackburn. In the burial registers of St. Mary's, Merle found William son of Anthony, aged 45 years and of 74 Blakey Moor was buried on 23 May 1860 and Ann, widow of the late William Thornber aged 44 years, of 72 Blakey Moor, was buried on 12 April 1863.

William and Ann are probably those I found in a marriage certificate under the name of Thornborough as follows:

William Thornborough, of full age, bachelor and labourer, son of Anthony Thornboroug, labourer, married Ann Cunliff of full age, widow, daughter of James Cunliffe, weaver, on 2 July 1846 at the Parish Church, Blackburn. Both made their mark and the witnesses were James (X) Ashton and and John Pilkinton

This suggests that William, born about 1815, was probably the eldest son of Anthony, born when he was under 20. Merle also found a letter of administration which relates to William as the date of death fits the burial date quoted above.

Thornber, William - 4 June 1860 - Effects under 450 pounds: Letters of Administration of the Personal estate of William Thornber late of Blackburn in the County of Lancaster Furniture Broker deceased who died 19 May 1860 at Blackburn aforesaid were granted at Lancaster to Ann Thornber of Blackburn aforesaid Widow the relict of the said Deceased she having first been sworn.

Footnote 2.

There was considerable switching between the names of Thornber and Thornborough in Blackburn at this period as shown in some of the tree. As a result it is possible that the following marriage records relate to the daughters of William Thornber and Mary Ellison shown in generation 2 above. These marriage records were provided by Merle Thornber in Australia.

Alice baptised in 1799, assuming that she survived, could be:

Alice Thornborough, spinster, who married James Watkinson, nailmaker, bachelor, both made their marks in the presence of James Hutton and George Blackburn, on 18 December 1821 at Blackburn St. Mary.

Mary, baptised in 1804, assuming that she survived, could be either:

Mary Thornborough, spinster, who married Edward Yates, weaver, bachelor, both made their marks in the presence of Ralph X Almond and Jas. Bolton on 17 February 1824 at Blackburn St. Mary, or

Mary Thornber, spinster, who married John Almond, weaver and bachelor, he signed and she made her mark in the presence of Robert Yates and Richd. Maudsley on 22 November 1824 at Blackburn St. Mary, or

Mary Thornber, spinster, who married John Almond, husbandman, bachelor, he signed and she made her mark in the presence of Joseph Fairbrother and Thomas Walsh, on 15 February 1831 at Blackburn St. Mary.

 

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