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Nicholas is an uncommon name among the Thornber family. The article below draws together examples that seem to be from one family in the Waddington area in the 17th and early 18th centuries. The case starts with the manor court rolls of Slaidburn, kindly provided to me by Chris Spencer.
There are some examples in Gisburn in the late 16th century, Gargrave in the late 17th century and also in Giggleswick in 1740s and 1750s.
At this court came Nicholas Thornbur of Westbradford, by Henry Leemeinge, and surrendered a mansion or dwelling house, two barns, certain gardens belonging to the same, and certain closes or parcels of land lying and being in Westbradford aforesaid called the Barley Croft, Farhey, Overhey, Litle Inge, containing by estimation 7a of land, and also certain other closes of land now or lately improved from the wastes above Bradford called the Walker Feild, Slackbrowe, Stonedelfeild and the Rakes, containing by estimation 7½a of land, and 3½a of land of the new improvements as the same are divided and allotted. To the use and behoof of Anthony Thornber, son of the said Nicholas Thornber, his heirs and assigns, from and immediately after 2 February next and immediately following the decease of the said Nicholas Thornbur and Isabel now his wife, and the longer liver of them, forever. Admitted. Fine 7s. 10d
At this court comes Isabell Thornebur, widdowe, the relict of Nicholas Thornebur of Westbradford deceased, by Henry Leeminge, and surrendered the half of one messuage, two barns with other buildings, certain gardens with other parcels of land in Bradford aforesaid commonly called Litle Inge, Barley Croft, Farhey and Overhey, containing by estimation 7a of oxgangland and other parcels of ground now or lately improved from the wastes above Bradford aforesaid, known by the names of Walkerfeild Slacke and the Rakes, together with 3½ a of moss or turbary as now it is meared and set forth, containing by estimation 7a 3r 13f of land with the appurtenances. To the use and behoof of Raph Leeminge of Rodwellyaite in Grindleton and Henry Knowles of West Bradford aforesaid, and their heirs, according to the custom of the Manor aforesaid forever as feoffees in trust, to stand and be fined and seized thereof to such uses as are specified and declared in one Intent hereunder written. Admitted. Fine 6s. 3d.
The Intent … is to the use and behoof of the said Isabell Thornebur for and during her natural life, then to the use and behoof of George Thornebur son of the late Nicholas Thornebur, he paying unto Ellen the now wife of Thomas Dale of Bradford aforesaid, unto Elizabeth the now wife of John Franckland of Alderhouse, unto Margaret Thornebur and Isabell Thornebur, sisters unto the said George Thornebur, the sum of £48 equally to be divided amongst them upon the third Candlemas day next following the decease of the said Isabell Thornebur. And also paying unto Isabell Thornebur, Nicholas Thornebur, James Thornebur and Agnes Thornebur, sons and daughters of the late Anthony Thornebur deceased, the sum of £12 to be equally divided as hereafter: unto the said Nicholas Thornebur, James Thornebur and Isabell Thornebur, every of them 40s. as they accomplish the age of 21 years and unto the said Agnes Thornebur £6 at 21.
I am grateful to Chris Spencer for sending me details from his transcript of the will of Nicholas Thornber of West Bradford made on 29 March 1650 and proved on 5 October 1650. From the two documents we learn that his wife Isabella was executrix. His eldest son was Anthony and there was a younger son, George. In addition, there were daughters, Ellin, Elizabeth, Margaret and Isabell. The baptisms of two of the daughters have been found in the Waddington St. Helen's registers. Witnesses to the will were James Harrinson, Henry Leeminge, Gylles Thornber and Henry Knowles. Whereas Nicholas died in 1650 his son George did not take over the land until 9 October 1656 by which time the eldest son, Anthony, had died.
From the court rolls we learn that Nicholas Thornber was married to Isabel. In 1656 it appears that Nicholas has just died but that Anthony had either predeceased him or died just after, before he could take over the tenancy. However, we also learn that by 1656 Anthony had children under the age of 21. In addition to Anthony, Nicholas and Isabel had children, George, Ellen, Elizabeth, Margaret and Isabel. George must have been over 21 to take over the land so we can begin to see a family tree which is enlarged from other data below.
The baptisms of four children of Anthony were also found in the Waddington Registers and the burials of an Anthony in 1656 and James son of Anthony at Waddington on 20 December 1657 and Margreta wife of Anthony in 1669. The death of Anthony in 1656 fits the facts in the court rolls that Anthony died near the time of his father and never took over the tenancy of his land.
There are records of a George Thornber who had a son Nicholas and he could be the one in generation 2 above. George Thornber married Margareta Chew on 9 April 1667 at Waddington and children of George were baptised at Waddington as Nicholas, 1668, Isabella, 1670 and Elizabeth in 1673. However, Nicholas son of George was buried at Waddington on 30 April 1672 and a George was buried on 7 August 1675. It would make sense that the George son of Nicholas and Isabel would name his first son Nicholas and his first daughter Isabella so I have put them tentatively into the tree above in italics
The Nicholas Thornber who was baptised in 1650 in Waddington is probably the one who had a son Anthony in 1675 and daughter Margaretta in 1680 baptised at Waddington. Anthony and Margeretta were the names of Nicholas' parents. (There is also another Nicholas at this time in Gargrave who married Jane in 1681. He and his wife were buried at Gargrave in 1722 and 1726 respectively.)
There are a number of records that could relate to the Anthony baptised in 1675 son of Nicholas and Elizabeth. An Anthony Thornber of Bradford married Alice Haighton of Chageley on July 1. 1707 at Mitton. Children baptised at Waddington were Nicholas, Elizabeth (i.e. names of Anthony's parents) Anthony, Jacobus, Grace, Thomas, Jane and John. The Christian name evidence fits with Anthony son of Nicholas and Elizabeth. Only two of the sons, Nicholas and Anthony survived childhood.
A Nicholas Thornber married Elizabeth Turner in 1734. He could be the one born in 1708. The marriage bond states:
26 October 1734, Nicolas Thornber, P. of Mitton, County of York, gent., and Elizabeth Turner of Casterton, P. of Kirkby Lonsdale, spr. Both above 21 years, Bondsmen were John Gilman of Kirkby Lonsdale, yeo. Witnesses were John Brigg and Robt. Crosfield.
This couple had a daughter Alice (the name of Nicholas' mother) baptised 12 August 1735 at Waddington.
There are some references to the name in Gisburn as early as 1584 but one of the references is to a Nicholas who died in infancy. However, it is interesting that the name was in use at this time and if we had more records from this period connections might have been discerned. However, few churches in the area have records prior to 1600 whereas Gisburn and Whalley do
Baptisms and Burials of children of John Thornber at Gisburn
Anthony, baptised 1576. Antho filius Johis Thornber buried 20 January 1576
Richus, baptised 1580
Barnardus, baptised 23 Aug 1584
Nicholas, baptised 23 Aug 1584. Nicholas filius Johis Thornber buried 2 Sept 1584
Anna, baptised 1586
Reginaldus, baptised 1592Marriage
Nicholas Thornber married Margaret Wilkinson on 9 October 1610 at Gisburn.
At this period there is another Nicholas who appears in the Gargrave registers. He married Jane on 21 May 1681 and was described as of Eshton. The following baptisms and burials are recorded at Gargrave. Nicholas was probably born around 1660 from his marriage date.
Marriage
Nicholas Thornber of Eshton married Jane, 21 May 1681 at Gargrave. Her maiden name is not given.
Baptisms
Thomas s. of Nicholas and Jane Thornber of Eshton, baptised 7 May 1682, Gargrave. Buried on 30 Nov 1685, Gargrave
Mary d. of Nicholas Thornber, 16 March 1683, Gargrave
Alice d. of Nicholas Thornber, 27 November 1688, Gargrave
Susanna d. of Nicholas Thornber, 23 October 1692, Gargrave
An(n) d. of Nicholas Thornber of Eshton, baptised 2 February 1695, Gargrave. Buried oon 16 November 1697 at Gargrave.Other Burials
Jane wife of Nicholas Thornber of Eshton, 12 April 1722, Gargrave
Nicholas Thornber widw paupr of Eshton, 28 Feb 1726
The following children of Nicholas Thornborough were baptised at Giggleswick. It is not uncommon for Thornber and Thornborough to be used interchangeably in the registers but Thornber is more common in the registers of East Lancashire and West Yorkshire.
Jane d. of Nicholas Thornbourrah of Settle, bapt 16 Dec 1744. Buried 15 Feb 1747/8
Jane d. of Nicholas Thornborough of Settle, bapt. 14 Jan 1749/50
Grace d. of Nicholas Thornborough of Settle, bapt 21 June 1747
Thomas s. of Nicholas Thornber of Settle, bapt. 2 Aug 1752. Buried 3 Sept 1760
Nicholas s. of Nicholas Thornborough of Settle, bapt. 5 June 1755.Other Burials at Gigglewick
Anthony s of Nicholas Thornborough of Settle, 1 Feb 1747/8
Nicholas Thornber of Settle, 29 Nov 1761
I have in my possession a document from 2 August 1760 as follows:
To All to whom these presents shall come: Nicholas Thornber of Settle in the County of York, sendeth greeting. Whereas Nicholas Thornber, late of West Bradford in the said county, Yeoman, deceased, did in and by his last Will and Testament, bearing date, on or about first of September, seventeen hundred and nineteen charged certain Lands, called Houghton Closes in West Bradford in the said county with the sum of forty pounds which said sum of forty pounds he thereby gave to his grandson, Nicholas Thornber, And whereas the sum of thirty pounds, part of the said forty pounds has been long since paid to the said Nicholas Thornber the grandson, but the sum of ten pounds the remainder of the sum of forty pounts with interest remains due to the said Nicholas Thornber the grandson. And whereas William Thompson of Southowram in the said County, Gentleman did sometime since purchase or in otherwise become legally entitled to the said Closes called Houghton Closes, Now know ye that I have said Nicholas Thornber the grandson do acknowledge to have this day had and received from and of the said William Thompson the sum of nineteen pounds and ten shillings in full Discharge of the said sum of ten pounds the remainder of the siad sum of forty pounds and interest thereof and in consideration thereof the said Nicholas Thornber the grandson have remised released and for ever quitclaimed and by these presents do remise release and for ever quitclaim unto the said William Thompson his heirs and assigns for ever in his actual possession and seisin thereof now being all my Right Title ***** property Claim and Demand of in or to the sid Closes called Houghton Closes and every part and parcel thereof with the appurtenances so as neither I nor my Heirs Executors Administrators or Assigns shall may or *** at any time hereafter claim challenge or demand any Estate Right Title or Interest of in or to the said Closes called Houghton Closed or any part or parcel thereof but thereof and therefrom shall be utterly barred and excluded for every by these presents. In witness thereofI have hereunto set my hand and seal the second day of August in the year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and sixty.
The document is then signed by Nichs. Thornber in the presence of John Sutcliffe and Wm. Fenton
This highly repetitive and convoluted document reveals little genealogical information. All we learn is that Nicholas the grandfather made his will on 1 Sept 1719 and his grandson, also Nicholas was alive on 2 August 1760. The grandfather's will fits for a man who died 10 Feb. 1720/21 i.e. 1720 on the old Julian calendar but 1721 on the Gregorian Calendar which had already been adopted in Europe but would not be adopted in England until 1751. Nicholas the grandson is consistent with the one in generation five of my chart, who was the son of Anthony and born in 1708
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