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The History of Molineaux & Webb
This site is a result of two family history researchers discovering that the Webbs in their family tree led back to those who were involved with the setting up the Manchester glass company that eventually became known as Molineaux, Webb & Co. Manchester Flint Glass Works. The information on this site is an expanded version of a presentation given to family members, and deals primarily with the business history of the firm and the people behind it. Further sections have been added on the glass items produced by the company.
The Basics
All the families behind Molineaux & Webb had roots in the Warrington glass industry. In the 1820s, a number of Warrington glassmen moved to the Ancoats area of Manchester to set up new glass businesses. The company eventually known as Molineaux & Webb opened in 1827, at Kirby Street, Ancoats. The founders were William Maginnis, Thomas Molineaux, Boulton Molineaux, Owen Ellis and Thomas Webb. The partnership spilt in 1831 and after several changes of name and leadership the company was controlled by the Webb family from the 1860s. The company continued until its liquidation in 1929, and passed out of the hands of the Webbs soon afterwards. Thomas Percival, one of the founders of Ancoats glass firm Percival & Vickers, was the nephew of Thomas Webb. There is no family link to the Webbs active in the Stourbridge glass industry.
Company history in ten chapters
See how the Warrington glass manufacturers stuck together to the end with the monuments of the Molineaux, Webb, Ellis, Percival and Woolfall families.
Images taken at the Manchester General Cemetery.
A comprehensive list of designs registered by Manchester glass companies
(includes photos and links to images where available)
A discussion of the Molineaux & Webb pattern book covering company designs from approximately 1830 to 1870
Ancoats Glass Exhibition of 2016
Shown during the Manchester Histories Festival, this exhibition showcased the Victorian Ancoats glass manufacturers
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