John James Rayner, born 22nd August 1823, Halifax Yorkshire. Son of Rachel and John Rayner, linen draper.
In October 1849 John married Ellen Walker, postmistress of Fleetwood, and eldest daughter of the late Thomas Walker, chemist and druggist, Poulton-le-Fylde.
In 1851 John James Rayner is living at the premises of his brother-in-law, Joseph Walker, Druggist and Grocer,
Market Place, Poulton Le Fylde, Fylde, Lancashire. John’s trade is recorded and tailor and draper.
In December 1851 Rayner is declared bankrupt.
At some date before 1864 Rayner re-establishes a drapery / outfitting business at 64 Regent Road, Bootle; this time he is successful.
Ellen and John James Rayner had eleven children. Four sons joined the company: William Henry Rayner, Charles Herbert Rayner, Frank Walker Rayner and John James Rayner (Jnr).
The sons carried on running the company after John James Rayner (Snr) died in 1894.
The entry in the 1911 Gore’s Directory of Liverpool for the company is given as:
[Regent Road] 51,52,53,54 & 55, Rayner J.J. & Sons, merchant tailors, naval outfitters and general contractors. Telegrams “Outfits, L’pool” Telephone 5323 (Central)
In August 1914 the Company merged with two others, Miller & Sons and G. Haysom Ltd., forming a new company, Miller, Rayner and Haysom Ltd.
Hi Mike
I have an entry in a rent book of Rayner &Co. Athertons Building, Dale Street Liverpool in 1829
They paid £15 in a lease to James Atherton a wealthy merchant.
best wishes
Stan Turner, Liverpool UK
My Great Uncle Joseph Edward Thompson worked for J J Rayner & Sons in 1908. The details are on his enlistment papers for 10th Scottish Kings Liverpool Regiment. Joseph was the first piper killed at Loker (Locre) on 22 December 1914 a week after his 25th birthday. He was killed trying to help a colleague who had fallen.
I have just recently purchased the glass door sign for jj rayner at 24 lord street it was taken out by a demolishion man many moons ago but I cannot find a photograph of the actual premises at the time. I’d post a picture of the sign up but I don’t know how?
I would dearly like a photograph of that. See my post above
I would very much like a photo of that sign – see post above