Wigan Album

William Gidlow of Amberswood, Ince, colliery and mill owner. The 3 storey mill was situated at the top of Moat House Street.

This private bank was established as Thicknesse & Woodcock in 1792, by Ralph Thicknesse and Thomas Woodcock; it was also known as Wigan Old Bank. Thicknesse retired in about 1829, whereupon Woodcock admitted his son to the partnership, which traded thereafter as Thomas Woodcock & Son.

By 1846 the firm was known as Thomas, John & Henry Woodcock. In 1850 Thomas Woodcock died and his two sons continued the business. In 1860 Nathaniel Eckersley became a partner and the firm was restyled Thomas Woodcock, Sons & Eckersley. The bank was acquired by Parr’s Banking Co in 1874.