Margaret Stelfox McGregor, Daniel Campbell McGregor, Agnes McGregor in the 1860s

Duncan's father retired from running Molineaux & Webb some time around 1887. One would have expected the eldest son, Baden Webb, to take control of the firm, but instead it was Duncan who led Molineaux & Webb from this point until approximately the end of Word War 1, taking the job title of managing director. Baden became the company secretary. A couple of Duncan's other brothers opted for a medical career.

Leven Terrace, Fairfield - Address of Duncan Webb in 1891

(house marked with arrow)

View Google Map of Fairfield Avenue, Droylsden

In the 1890s Duncan moved into a large house called "Morningside" at Fairfield, Manchester (on the same street as Leven Terrace above - off to the right side of the photograph.) He inherited it after the death of his father-in-law, Daniel McGregor.

Duncan made few appearances in the newspapers until the First World War. In October 1914 he donated £50 to the relief of the poor, and in December 1915, both he and his wife donated £2 2s each for Christmas gifts to soldiers on the front.

The war also triggered a little activity on the glass front, with a Duncan Webb being credited with a patent on 1916, and a contribution to a glass journal paper at around the same time. As he shared the same name as his son, we cannot be 100% sure which Duncan was responsible for these.

The Family

Duncan Webb Junior, Agnes McGregor, Duncan Webb, Constance Margaret Webb, Mary Elizabeth Webb

Duncan retired from Molineaux and Webb around the end of the First World War, and his subsequent appearances on documents are limited to being an executor of wills, as siblings and children passed away.

His wife died in 1928, leaving an estate valued at around £42,000:

On April 14, 1928, suddenly, at a nursing home, Agnes, the dearly-beloved wife of Duncan Webb, Morningside, Fairfield, Manchester, and younger daughter of the late Daniel McGregor of Fairfield. Interment at Brooklands Cemetery, Sale, Cheshire.

In 1936 it was Duncan's turn:

On Feb 9, 1936, at his residence, Morningside, Fairfield, Manchester, Duncan Webb, late Chairman of Molineaux Webb and Co. Ltd., Manchester. Interment at Brooklands Cemetery on Thursday.

Duncan made a will in 1933 which divided the financial assets of his estate between his son, Duncan Webb Junior, and his surviving daughter, Mary Furnival. The gross value of the will was just short of £70,000, with £11,000 being deducted for tax.

Family Grave at Brooklands Cemetery, Sale, Cheshire

The family house, Morningside, was sold on and the building survived until very recently. A sale of the property in 1952 described it as a semi-detached residence, with three floors, a basement cellar, good gardens, with a plot of land behind the property.

"Apart from its obvious use as a private residence, the property is also eminently suitable for flats, offices and institutional purposes. It is being offered at a very low reserve and will appeal to a person of enterprise."

The building, later used as a council education centre, was recently knocked down and earmarked for the development of flats. As of 2008, the plot remained vacant and overgrown, with only the surrounding wall surviving - and a little graffiti!

Entrance to demolished Morningside in 2008

1861 CENSUS:

Address: Ardwick, Manchester

Others: Living with parents, four siblings and three servants

1871 CENSUS:

Job Title: Student

Address: Abbey Hey House, Gorton, Manchester

Others: Living with parents, nine siblings, one other relative and four servants

1881 CENSUS:

Job Title: Glass manufacturer

Address: Fairfield Fields, Droylsden, Manchester

Others: Living with wife

1891 CENSUS:

Job Title: Glass manufacturer

Address: 11 Leven Terrace, Droylsden, Manchester

Others: Living with wife, three children and two servants

1901 CENSUS:

Job Title: Flint glass manufacturer

Address: "Morningside", Droylsden, Manchester

Others: Living with wife, three children and two servants