Wigan Album

Name Thomas Milner
Age 31
Estimated Birth Year abt 1850
Relationship to Head Head
Spouse Ann Milner
Gender Male
Where born Wigan, Lancashire, England
Civil parish Wigan
County/Island Lancashire
Country England
Street Address 65 Mesnes St
Marital Status Married
Occupation Watch Maker Master
Registration district Wigan

There used to be a Thomas Milner,a dentist who had his surgery in Ince Green Lane when I was growing up.

I lived in Ince Green Lane in the 1950s, (when I was very small!), and the 1960s, Julie, and I remember Milner's dentists well....it was only yards from or house. I wonder if the two Thomas Milners were related across the years?

Yes Irene,I thought the same.

This would be the fellow who designed the clock belonging to the old market hall.

Three generations of Thomas Milner were watchmakers and jewellers in Wigan

The Ann Milner of Winnie's contribution was Ann Pollard whose father Kept the Commercial hotel off Market Place The family went to Southport.Ann died there but is buried in Wigan

There were Milner in the 1920s and 30s at 66 Ince Green Lane
and a family in Moore Street,Whelley

There is no apparent connection between the three families,,,,,,,,though Milner is an uncommon name in Wigan

Thanks for all your comments. It is a rare name in Wigan and how the Milners came to be in Wigan is still a bit of a mystery, but I think I'm slowly sorting it out. George Esplin, another Wigan watch maker was in a partnership with his mother, Elizabeth Barton in Wigan, from about 1838 to 1841. Elizabeth was born Elizabeth Milner in about 1791 and married William Barton, a watch and clock maker, in Manchester in 1830. Before this, Elizabeth had given birth to her illegitimate son George Esplin in Manchester in 1819; George's father cannot currently be found. It seems likely the family moved to Wigan in the early 1830's, which was apparently renowned for its clock and watch making at that time. Meanwhile, Thomas's father (not the photographed Thomas, but his father, also Thomas), William Milner, was a coastguard/revenue officer and was stationed in Ireland in the 1830's and 1840's. while two of his children - Thomas and his Maria - were living in Wigan in the 1841 census, in the same household as George Esplin and his mother Elizabeth Barton (née Milner), who was probably a widow by this time as William Barton cannot be found in that census. It seems very likely to me that there is a strong family link between Elizabeth and William Milner, possibly a sibling relationship, hence, I am looking for a link between Elizabeth Milner, who was born in Brighouse in 1791, and William Milner (the elder Thomas's father), but it has so far eluded me. If anyone has any ideas or further information, they would be gratefully received. I hope the above makes some sense!

"Thomas Milner was a member of the Clockmakers’ Company in London between 1739 and his death in 1763. He was succeeded in the business by his son of the same name who was active until 1772."

Thanks, Mick. From what I've researched so far, it seems the London Thomas Milner is not connected to these Milners, but with family history you always have to keep an open mind and I'll look into it further. Cheers.

Testing - I posted a couple of responses to this subject yesterday. Neither has appeared yet.... Just testing if this gets through.

Well, evidently the Test did get through - so my two Comments from yesterday are lost in the ether. As they are probably only of possible interest to you, Alan, perhaps you could email me: dave.w.long@icloud.com, and I'll send you the information I came across.

The history of watch and clock making in Wigan (Which I was not aware of) has me intrigued. Did someone somewhere say that there was further reading on the matter?
I have recently discovered a interesting aspect to this and a unique, ornate and beautiful grandfather clock with the family name and Wigan on the ornate dial but I'm not sure where it was made.
I say unique because three were commissioned, one was broken in transit, the other destroyed in a house fire, the remaining one available for all to see in the town centre. Seen but ignored for generations.
I have photographs of the Grandfather Clock and other retained memorabilia which has kindly been shared with me. I have sent this with a report to the Wigan Museum, Library Street for them to trace a window frame, removed from the shop and once on display, they think it might now be in storage.
Should anyone like me to forward this email to them together with my findings and pictures, please contact me at colinptraynor@icloud.com. Perhaps you might even wish to post this on WW as I have had no success with any of my postings.

Regarding Thomas's origins, I have found records that prove that Thomas Milner the elder (father of the Thomas in the photo) and George Esplin (both Wigan watch and clock makers) were cousins; their parents, William and Elizabeth Milner - children of Thomas and Sarah - were born in Rastrick/Brighouse in 1791 and 1787 respectively. It's a fascinating story and I am at last beginning to piece it together. Thomas the elder was my 3rd great-grandfather and any info anyone has about the Esplins, Bartons and Milners will be gratefully received.

Alan, further to my posting 17th November I found two long case clocks with Wigan on their faces on display at the Wigan Life Centre, Library Street.
Together with the other I located in Goldsmith Shop (Formally Bakers Jewel Casket) in the Market Place I wonder if they would be of interest to you? Drop me a line and I will email the pictures to you.

Hi Just going through a box of old pocket watches from my late uncle and found a Thomas milner watch. numbered 488 on the workings inside

That's interesting, Colin. I have sent you an email regarding this. Hope it hasn't gone to spam!