Wigan Album

Thomas Milner, master watch maker (from 1881 census), had a watch and jeweller's shop at 46 Market Place (1855 Slater's Directory of Lancashire) and advertised it as the 'Old Guinea Wedding Ring Establishment', with 'Guinea' latterly replaced by 'Lucky'. Number 48 can clearly be seen (3 times) on the right hand side of the street and the 'Milner' sign can be seen just to the left of those. After Thomas's death in 1888, his son, also Thomas and also a master watch maker, continued the business till his death in August 1892. Some months before he died, there was a fire that reportedly raged across 3 floors of the building and £1000 of damage was caused (Liverpool Mercury, April 30th 1892). Thomas junior traded from 32 Market Street while his shop was being repaired, eventually moving back into his old premises just before his death; he was 43 years old. The family lived at Upper Dicconson Street, which was apparently a very well-to-do area at the time. Thomas junior was a prominent Freemason and many of his masonic brethren attended his funeral. Unfortunately, I cannot remember where this photo came from, so cannot give due credit.