Ancestors from Thurnham, between Glasson Dock and Cockerham.

[tortiegirl]

I am compiling a database of as many people I can find, and as far back as I can go, who lived or were born in Thurnham (between Glasson Dock and Cockerham). I am also researching its history. I would love to hear from anyone with info and, in return, I may have info for someone.

[wilkinmh]

I am also interested in members of the Hornby family who were born and lived in the Thurnham area. I do have some details already.

[tortiegirl]

I have 50 Hornbys although some may be duplicated entries, as I don't always know if certain details apply to a particular one or not - there are many with the same christian name. If I can't link it to anyone, I create a new entry until I find out more. What is the best way for me to share my info? Have just joined this website so am still finding my way. Can I send my Hornbys as an Word attachment?

[dianer]

Hi,

just read your thread on families in Thurnham.  My ancestors were the Penningtons and were mostly farmers in and around Ellel and Thurnham.  Will be glad to give you more info if you are interested?

Kind regards

Dianer

[jds1949]

By one of those strange coincidences that make a genealogist's life worth living I was updating my notes on this man earlier today:

 Papist Returns 1767
Ribchester and Stidd
John Swarbrick Farmer aged 30 resident 7 years
Ann Swarbrick his wife aged 32 resident 7  years

A John Swarbrick, Farmer of Ribchester, signed the Oath of Allegiance at Preson dated 12th January 32nd year of George III [1792] so did Thomas Swarbrick Farmer of Ribchester on the same date.

John Swarbrick married Mary Brownforth by licence. He was described as "John Swarbrick of the Parish of Cockerham, farmer." The other man who stood surety was William Proctor of the Town and Parish of Lancaster, Butcher. The marriage was to take place in the Parish Church of Lancaster. The marriage duly took place at St Mary's Lancaster on the morning of 4th April 1796.

The will of John Swarbrick late of Cock Hall, Thurnham, Yeoman dated 7th September 1805 - Probate granted 8th June 1807 - Estate valued at £300
Executors: his wife Mary & Joseph Chew of Preston, innkeeper & Thomas Duckworth of Preston, sawyer.
Beneficiaries: to his wife Mary his estate in Hothersall - also mentioned sons John and Richard and daughter Betty.

Date of Probate 8th June 1807
Testator: John Swarbrick of Cock Hall within Thurnham in the County of Lancaster, Yeoman
Executors: Mary Swarbrick, Joseph Chew, Innkeeper & Thomas Duckworth, sawyer, both of Preston aforesaid.
Legatees: John , Richard & Betty Swarbrick
Testator ordered that all his just debts to be paid, and beqeathed to his wife Mary Swarbrick, sons and daughter John, Richard and Betty Swarbrick all share and share alike.

Cock Hall Farm is next to Thurnham Hall and the Catholic Church of SS Thomas & Elizabeth. Thurnham Hall was the home of the Catholic family the Daltons.

I've probably got more on this family and I'm sure I've got one or two more references to Swarbricks in the area if you are interested.

jds1949

[tortiegirl]

Hi Deaner. Many thanks for this. I have some Penningtons on my list as follows: Isabella - b.1772 married Richard P in 1796, no address.
Jane - b.1825, lived at Bamber's Farm Thurnham.
Margaret - b.1835, married 1856-9 to John Croskell, lived in Thurnham somewhere, had 9 children, d.1916.
Thomas - a papist mentioned in Lancaster Sessions in 1717, was a cordwainer.
Thomas - a husbandman in Thurnham, d.1751.
Thomas - b.1721, lived at Pennington's (don't  know wherre that is in Thurnham).
William - lived at Bamber's Farm Thurnham, mentioned on farm rental list in 1892.
Any more info would be gratefully received.

[tortiegirl]

Thanks JDS1949 - I have John, Mary and his children on my list, as well as this for John - he was mentioned in farm rents 1794-lease expires 1809. Serving in the Lancashire Militia in 1799.
Also have Ann b.1800, Ann b.1838, Edward b.1825 - became a priest, James b.1822 also a priest, Thomas - no birth date but rented a cottage and garden in 1892 which burnt down, and Thomas b.1807.
Is John from Ribchester the same John who later lived in Cockerham parish?
Thanks for this info - much appreciated.

[jds1949]

James Swarbrick was the parish priest at Thurnham Catholic Church for a number of years.

Census entry 1871 [roll 4228 folio 33]
Thurnham
Woodside                  
James Swarbrick Head Single 48 Roman Catholic Priest of Thurnham Church occupying 28 acres of land & employing 1 farm manservant b. Nateby   
Edward Swarbrick Nephew Single 14 Scholar b. Nateby   
William Gillett Servant Single 64 Groom & herdsman b. Woodplumpton   
Clementine Bretherton Servant Single 29 Housekeeper b. Thurnham   
Mary Hudson Servant Single 15 Assistant servant [domestic] b. Elswick

At some point in the 1870s he moved to St Mary’s Fernyhalgh, but was back at Thurnham in 1878 for a short while before moving to Cockerham.

Both he and his brother Edward, also a priest who was at St Augustine's in Preston, are buried in the same grave at Thurnham Catholic Church. Their particular Swarbrick family was the one that farmed for many years at Nateby; the best known member of that family being Nicholas Joseph Swarbrick who was the last surviving member of the Merchant Navy who had served in the Great War. He died in 2006.

The John Swarbrick who held Cock Hall was from a different Swarbrick family who were at Singleton in the early 1700s.

I'm intrigued by the reference to the Lancashire Militia - do you have any further information on that, or the reference for the information?

This might be the Thomas whose cottage burnt down:

Census entry 1891 [roll 3462 folio 24]
Thurnham
Thurnham Road & Thurnham Hall               
Thomas Swarbrick   Head   Married   30   Market gardener   b. Nateby
Annie   Wife   Married   29      b. Claughton
John Hornby   Serv   Single   14   Assistant   b. Thurnham
William Henry Bullen   Serv   Single   12   Assistant   b. Kellet

He was another member of the Nateby lot. Again, I would be interested in any further details you might have on the fire.

jds1949

[Hello There]

Hiya tortiegirl,

I had the  Johnson's living in Cockerham. I will get my stuff together and post it on here if you want me to 

Jacky