The Thornber family in the Fylde

Thornber is a name you are likely to come across in exploring the history of Poulton-le-Fylde. Three generations of the family became a celebrated part of the town between the mid-1790s and the mid-1880s, even though they had roots in the Trough and Forest of Bowland. Two tombstones remain in the north part of St Chad’s graveyard, despite the mass-clearance of gravestones in 1973. One is for Elizabeth and Giles Thornber who died, respectively, in 1851 and 1860. Click the images to see enlarged versions.

The other gravestone is for seven descendants of Doctor Cuthbert Harrison, a physician and an early Presbyterian Minister. These include Richard and Mary Harrison, the parents of Elizabeth Thornber, and Paul Harrison Thornber, her youngest son, and Mary Thornber, her only daughter.

The bottom text, not in the photo, reads: “There are those whose names will live not only in the memories but the hearts of men.
Also Mary, only daughter of the said Giles Thornber died Novr. 27th 1885 Aged 79 Years.
My Presence shall go with thee and I will give thee rest. Exodus 33:14.”

Further gravestones remaining at St Chad’s include more of Elizabeth Thornber’s family, including her uncle, John Harrison, and her grandparents, Richard and Elizabeth Tennant. The Tennant family grave is, unusually for St Chad’s, inscribed in Latin.

A plaque on Breck Road marks where local magistrate Giles Thornber had his family home and where he and his wife Elizabeth brought up their five children. The family tree is displayed in the adjoining image (click to see it enlarged).

Quick facts on the family

 William Thornber (1743-1812): Steward and Land Agent at Rossall Hall

Baptism

30 Jan 1742/43 at Melling.

Parents

Giles Thornber (1710-1775) & Hannah Wilson (1717-1764), married by licence at Melling 30 Nov 1710.

Birthplace

Lower Greenbank, near Melling.

Occupation

Husbandry at time of marriage (1740), later working at Rossall Hall, starting between 1791 and 1794 as steward / land agent for Bold Hesketh Fleetwood (1762-1819).

Marriage

Married Hannah Remington (1750-1788) by licence at Melling.

Children

Only child Giles Thornber (1776-1860), born at Lower Greenbank.

Death

Died at Rossall 29 Jun 1812, buried 2 Jul 1812 at Melling next to his wife.

Further details

After the death of his wife, aged only 38, he focused his attention on their 12-year-old son Giles, moving to nearby Wray so that his son could be privately tutored by Bryan Holmes, who specialised in early tutoring for future attorneys. William had moved to Rossall Hall by 1794, possibly after Bold Fleetwood Hesketh inherited the hall following the death of his grandfather Roger Hesketh (1711-1791). Giles, now aged 18, was entered into articles with Lancaster attorney John Dowbiggin in 1794. After his son Giles became ill in 1797, William arranged for his son’s articles to be transferred to Poulton attorney Thomas Wilson.

His work as steward to Bold Hesketh involved him arranging the reletting and auctioning of properties including, as can be seen from Lancashire newspapers, reletting Cleveleys public house and farm. He also appears to have been involved in other property auctions; this included Slaidburn in Clitheroe, from where his branch of the Thornber family originated.

We can see how importantly he felt about education from his 1808 will, which mentioned his infant grandson William Thornber (1803-1885). The witnesses to his will included his employer Bold Fleetwood, as well as Bold’s mother Frances (1735-1809), and Bold’s elder sister Anna Maria Hesketh (1760-1841), possibly indicating how highly the family regarded him.

William Thornber clearly made his mark in the Fylde, although he is now forgotten. However, his legacy included his son’s introduction to Poulton, and Giles would have a lasting impact on the town.

FamilySearch ID: KGC2-5XZ

Giles Thornber (1773-1836): Steward and Land Agent at Rossall Hall

Giles Thornber (1776-1860): Poulton Attorney, Thornton Farmer, and Magistrate

Elizabeth Harrison (1778-1851): Wife of ❸ Giles Thornber

Rev. William Thornber (1803-1885): Anglican Minister

Richard Thornber (1805-1830): Attorney

Mary Thornber (1805-1885): Daughter of ❸ Giles Thornber

John Thornber (1809-1857): Gentleman

Paul Harrison Thornber (1814-1883): Attorney & Parish Clerk

John Thornber (1804-1874): Attorney, moved to Wray

Sources and Acknowledgements

Page last updated 23 Aug 2024

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