Lancashire Lantern
Lancashire Lantern: Lancashire Pioneers
Part of the Lancashire Lantern network, the Pioneers gives details of people who were famous local people in science, technology and innovation. These pioneers were either born in Lancashire or their endeavours made a significant contribution to the development of the County.
William Windle Pilkington - Family Life
William Windle Pilkington was born at Windle Hall, St Helens on September 26th 1839.
He was the eldest son of Richard Pilkington who was one of the founders of Pilkington Brothers Glassworks in St Helens and Ann Evans who was the daughter of Richard Evans, proprietor of the Haydock Collieries.
William had five brothers
- Richard (1841 - 1908)
- Edward (1843 - 1923)
- Alfred (1844 - 1896)
- Charles (1850 -1918)
- Lawrence (1855 - 1941)
The birth certificate of William Pilkington
(Click the image to enlarge)
William was educated at Bruce Castle, a school known for its progressive methods such as no corporal punishment.
He married Louise Salter in 1867 and had seven children
- Henry William (1871-1902)
- Richard Austin (1871 -1951)
- Sidney (1872 - 1905)
- Constance Emma (1874 - 1970)
- Alfred Cecil (1875 - 1966)
- Anne (1877-1900)
- Christine (1880 - 1965)
The 1881 census shows that only the youngest daughter was at home on census night. Most of the family were staying at Crag Cottage in Grange Village.
The two eldest sons were listed as boarders on the census return for Oakfield School in Hornsey, Middlesex.
The 1881 census - click to enlarge the image.
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