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James Hodkinson

1845 – 1899
2nd Great-Grandfather

James Hodkinson from Northwich, Cheshire is a 2nd Great Grandfather on my Dad’s side of the family. Thankfully, this branch seems to have remained local so a little easier to research. The family knew they ran a pub in Northwich that disappeared down a salt mine (no-one died thankfully!) and my great-grandma was born there before moving to Barrow-in-Furness.

I’ve been lucky enough to have some family photos passed onto me to look after. One brilliant find amongst the info passed down was the Holford Family Bible which included a folded papers recording the births of James & Ann’s children plus those of the aunts/uncles on Ann’s side of the family. This must have been passed onto Ann and in turn, onto either Elizabeth or Harriet.

We know little about the family apart from what can be pieced together from information online. Like his father, James initially was a Rock Salt Miner – Salt Mining being one of the main industries in the area.

At the time of his marriage, his occupation is recorded as a Boilermaker – there is a record of a James’ of the same age serving his apprentice in this industry, but there’s not enough info to determine if this is “our” James Hodkinson.

James Hodkinson Snr took over as Licensee of The Townshend Arms in 1869 and the Hodkinson’s ran this pub until James Hodkinson Jnr’s death in 1899. With the inn came land and James also ran a smallholding as a market gardener.

He was a noted angler and one of the founder members of the Townshend Arms Angling Society in 1885 and appointed Treasurer. From newspaper articles, it looks as though at least two of James Jnr’s son-in-laws were also anglers which may be how they met their wives!

James’ certainly kept himself busy; he was also a member of the Northwich Homing Club and trained homing pigeons – his most famous win coming on 30th June 1891 when one won the Cherbourg race with an average velocity of 1554 yards/minute (his other pigeons were also highly placed in this race as well).

In one of Colin Lynch’s books on Northwich, he mentions when the Brunner Free Library opened in 1885, a large procession took place with many local business people taking part. James Hodkinson was one of them. Will try and get hold of a copy of his book.

Excerpt:  "Mr James Hodkinson, Market Gardener of the Townshends Arms, Wincham next followed with a lorry on which was displayed a grand show of plants of bright bloom, as well as several classes of garden produce"

The market gardener connection may well be the reason how John Wilson Muddiman met our great-grandmother – Elizabeth Ann Hodkinson – John Wilson Muddiman was an established market gardener in Barrow-in-Furness. Chances are he went to work for James Hodkinson or another Market Gardener locally.

1845 – Birth of James Hodkinson

James Hodkinson was born on 31st May 1845 in Witton-cum-Twambrooks (Northwich as it’s now known). He was the only known son of James Hodkinson and Betty/Elizabeth Kennerley.

He had 3 older sisters (Harriet, and 2 younger sisters (although likely two of his older sisters both died in infancy).

James was baptised on 23rd August 1845 at Davenham.

The family were living in Witton and his fathers occupation was a Rockgatherer

1851 Census

Witton Brow, Wincham, Cheshire

Source Citation
Ancestry.com. 1851 England Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.  Class: HO107; Piece: 2165; Folio: 299; Page: 25; GSU roll: 87148-87149
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/8860/images/CHSHO107_2165_2165-0445

Source Citation
Class: RG9; Piece: 2603; Folio: 15; Page: 26; GSU roll: 542997
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/24254197:8767

1866 – Marriage to Ann Holford

James Hodkinson married Ann Holford at Lostock Gralam on 14th October 1866.

Witnesses were Elizabeth Holford (Ann’s sister) and her future husband, Charles Forster.

James and Ann had six children over 15 years. Their eldest son, James, was 15 when Harriet, was born.

1869 – Licensee – Townshend Arms, Wincham

James’ parents (James & Elizabeth Hodkinson) took over as licensees of the Townshend Arms in Wincham in 1869.

When James Snr died in 1872, his wife, Elizabeth took over and following her death, James took over the running of the pub until his death in 1899.

It is likely that James was involved in helping to run the pub whilst his parents ran the pub as neither could read or write.

More info on The Townshend Arms is at the bottom of this Blog entry.

1870 – Birth of son, John George Hodkinson

James George Hodkinson was born on 5th July 1870 in Wincham.

He married Louisa Anderson on 25th December 1891 (same day/church as his sister, Mary, married Jesse Poole) and they had at least seven children together, including a set of twins.

Children of James George & Louisa Hodkinson

• James Hodkinson (1892 – 1917)
• Polly Rebecca Hodkinson (1894 – 1933)
• Harriet Hodkinson (1896 – ?)
• Elizabeth Ann Hodkinson (1896 – 1966)
• Nellie Hodkinson (1898 – ?)
• Jesse Hodkinson (1901 – 1901)
• George Hodkinson (1903 – 1989)

James George died in 1905 aged just 35 years of age at 8 Leater Street, Middleton, Lancashire and buried at St Helen Churchyard, Northwich on 13th July 1905. He is buried alongside his parents in the family grave (more info under 1899 – Death of James Hodkinson)

Louisa married twice more after James’ death and is also buried in the family grave at St Helens, Witton.

1871 Census

Hollands Lane, Wincham, Cheshire

Source Citation
The National Archives; Kew, London, England; 1871 England Census; Class: RG10; Piece: 3697; Folio: 2; Page: 3; GSU roll: 842112
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/24787923:7619

1872 – Death of Father, James Hodkinson

James’ father died on 7th January 1872 and his death was reported in the local paper.

After James death, his wife continued running the Townshend Arms with the help of James & Ann.

1873 – Birth of Daughter, Mary Hodkinson

Mary Hodkinson was born in 1873, the oldest of four daughters.

She married Jesse Poole at Great Budworth on 25th December 1891 – the same day as her older brother James George married. They witnessed each others weddings.

Children of Jesse & Mary Poole

• Mary Poole (1892 – 1892)
• James Poole (1894 – 1962)

Jesse died in 1902 aged just 35 and Mary died shortly afterwards in 1905.

Mary and Jesse had two children; Mary who died as a baby and a son, James.

1875 – Birth of Daughter, Sarah Ann Hodkinson

Sarah Hodkinson was born on 1st April 1875.

She married William Robert Handford at St Helen, Northwich on 21st October 1895. The ceremony was witnessed by James Maycock and Minnie Norbarry.

Children of William Robert & Sarah Handford

• Richard Handford (1897 – 1979)
• Margaret May Handford (1899 – 1972)
• Norman Handford (1901 – 1901)

It looks as though Sarah was in service in Manchester in 1911 and in London in 1939 where it was stated on the Register she was single.  William Handford remained in Northwich.

William and Sarah had three children; Richard, Margaret May and Norman who died aged just 3 months old.

William Handford died in 1943 and left his estate to be divided equally between John and Sarah Capper and his son, Richard Handford. If his son couldn’t be traced within 12 months of his death he would be presumed as dead and his portion would go to his nephew, William Robert Handford who was a Prisoner of War in Italy at the time the will was written.

No mention in his will of his daughter, Margaret May who was alive at the time nor Sarah. Sarah died about 1953.

LEFT: Photo believed to be Sarah Ann Hodkinson – this was a photo postcard sent to Mrs Muddiman, postmarked Highbury on 4th November 1934.

1879 – Birth of Son, Johnny (John/Jack) Hodkinson

John / Johnny / Jack Hodkinson was born in 1879 in Wincham.

We know very little about John but he may have married a Henrietta Butterworth in Rochdale.

A Mary Butterworth of Rochdale witnessed his fathers – James Hodkinson’s – will. It’s possible she was a relative – her maiden name was Hodkinson and she was born in Northwich.

Photo left: The youngest three Hodkinson siblings: Jack (John) Hodkinson with sisters, Elizabeth (left) and Harriet (right)

1881 Census

Townshend Arms, Wincham, Cheshire

Source Citation
Class: RG11; Piece: 3525; Folio: 28; Page: 49; GSU roll: 1341844
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/7572/images/CHSRG11_3523_3528-0400

1881 – Birth of Daughter, Elizabeth Ann Hodkinson

Elizabeth Ann Hodkinson was born on 22nd October 1881.

She married John Wilson Muddiman at St Mark, Barrow-in-Furness on 1st July 1899. It was witnesses by James & Mary Lord.

Elizabeth died on 8th November 1961 and is buried at Thorncliffe Cemetery in Barrow-in-Furness.

1882 – Death of Mother, Betty Hodkinson

Betty (or Elizabeth as she wanted to be known), died in Wincham in June 1882.

She is buried in the Churchyard at St Marys & All Saints in Great Budworth.

1885 – Birth of Daughter, Harriet Hodkinson

Harriet was the youngest of the six children and was born on 14th November 1885.

She married Abraham Fletcher in 1908 in Bradford who was a renound violinist at the time.

Whilst Harriet didn’t have any children of her own, she was very close to her nieces and nephews and a frequent visitor to Barrow.

Harriet died on 20th February 1972 at 12 Whinney Ends, Barrow in Furness – she was visiting her niece, Evelyn Jackson (née Muddiman), at the time.

1891 Census

Townshend Arms, Wincham, Cheshire

Source Citation
The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; Census Returns of England and Wales, 1891; Class: RG12; Piece: 2838; Folio: 117; Page: 43; GSU roll: 6097948
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/1591879:6598

1897 – Death of wife, Ann Hodkinson

Ann Hodkinson died in Wincham on 8th February 1897 aged 50 and is buried in St Helens Churchyard in Northwich.

1899 – Death of James Hodkinson

James Hodkinson died at The Townshend Arms in Wincham on 19th January 1899 aged just 53 years of age.

Cause of death was recorded as Cirrhosis of the Liver (Hypertrophic) and his eldest son, James George, registered his death.

The Morning Post – Saturday 21^st January 1899

This report appeared in several newspapers including Aberdeen, Sheffield and Bristol.

Source: British Newspaper Archive
https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000174/18990121/023/0003

Details of James’ funeral were reported in The Runcorn Guardian on Wednesday 25 January 1899 and also appeared in the Northwich Guardian.

It is noticed that Elizabeth Ann, his third daughter, did not appear to be present at his funeral or perhaps just omitted by the reporter.

Source: British Newspaper Archive
https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001753/18990125/005/0005

IN LOVING MEMORY
OF
ANN BELOVED WIFE OF
JAMES HODKINSON OF WINCHAM
WHO DIED FEBRUARY 8TH 1897
AGED 50 YEARS
AN AFFECTIONATE WIFE AND BELOVED MOTHER
ALSO THE ABOVE JAMES HODKINSON
WHO DIED JANUARY 19TH 1899,
AGED 53 YEARS
ALSO JAMES GEORGE HODKINSON
OF NORTHWICH
WHO DIED JULY 10TH 1905
AGED 35 YEARS
ALSO PETTY OFFICER JAMES HODKINSON
WHO DIED OF WONDS RECEIVED
AT ANCRE IN FRANCE, FEB 4TH 1917
AGED 24 YEARS
ALSO DOREEN, BELOVED DAUGHTER OF
JOHN AND NELLIE GARA,
& GRAND-DAUGHTER OF JAMES GEORGE HODKINSON
WHO DIED JANY 6TH 1925
AGED 2 MONTHS
ALSO LOUISA HODKINSON DUTTON
WHO DIED AUG 27TH 1961, AGED 90 YEARS

Photo ©2002 Karen Harrison

James along with wife Ann and other family members are interred at St Helens, Northwich. Along with Ann & James are also their oldest son, James George Hodkinson, his wife, Louisa, and grandchildren James and Doreen.

The grave is located on the main path leading up to the church.

Photo ©2002 Karen Harrison

Last Will and Testament of James Hodgkinson

Note: will had stated surname as Hodgkinson – often mis-spelt over time

James did leave a will and appointed his son-in-law, Jesse Poole, (Mary’s husband) and his friend, James Hodcroft of Sale as Executors, Trustees and Guardians of any infant Children. They were to sell all his farming stock and household furniture and put the money in trust to initial settle all debts and funeral expenses.

The residual amount was to be invested and held in trust until his youngest daughter, Harriet, turned 18. Once she had attained that age, the money would be equally split between his children, James George Hodgkinson, Mary – wife of Jesse Poole, Sarah – wife of William Handford, John Hodgkinson, Elizabeth Ann Hodgkinson and Harriet Hodgkinson.

If any child were to die in his life time or before attaining the age of 21 and having a child/ren, the child/ren would receive/split the share their parents would have received.

Until Harriet reached the age of 16, the trustees would expend for her maintenance and education the sum of 6 shillings per week to be paid out of the interest of the proceeds of his estate, although if this was insufficent, this could be taken from the residuary estate.

Will dated 3rd February 1898

Witnessed: W Bancroft of Northwich & Mary Butterworth, Widow, 9 Littlewood Street, Rochdale

On 1st May 1899, probate of this will was granted at Chester to Jesse Poole and James Hodcroft, the executors

Wednesday/Thursday 22nd/23rd February 1899

In line with the wishes in James Hodkinson’s will, all his small holding animals, produce and equipment were sold by auction over two days. In addition, his household furniture and contents of the club room were also sold.

The extensive list of everything was listed in detail in the local papers.

Northwich Guardian – Saturday 18 February 1899
https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001975/18990218/220/0008

Townshend Arms

Licensees of the Townshend Arms

James’ parents (James & Elizabeth Hodkinson) took over as licensees of the Townshend Arms in Wincham in 1869. When James Snr died in 1872, his wife, Elizabeth took over and following her death, James took over the running of the pub until his death in 1899.

Over the time the pub was ran by the Hodkinson’s it was more than just a inn. Several inquests were held at the pub, including that of the death of 43 year old Harriet Platt of Marston in 1869 (natural causes) and the industrial accident in 1873 involving the scalding of John Kay aged 85 (died from the shock and injuries of accidental scalding).

The pub was central to various clubs and activities – Townshend Arms Angling Club held their meetings and annual dinner at the pub. From newspaper articles, Northwich Harriers (running club) also used this as their base and many a race started from the pub.

In January 1901, a Mr & Mrs Hodkinson were still running the pub as they hosted the annual dinner on the 15th Anniversary of the formation of the Townshend Arms Angling Society. The Brogdens took over the running of the pub between here and the following year as they continued to host the society meetings.

In 1886, the pub was under the control of Greenall Whitley & Co. and a 21 year lease issued with a rent of £65 per annum.

Subsidence was commonplace in Wincham as the area was riddled with salt mine shafts. Sadly the pub was closed for good on 10th July 1913 as Mary Brogden and her staff moved out. Much of the fixtures, fittings and furniture were all sold by auction on 7th July. It wasn’t long before the pub disappeared below the water for good.

LEFT: Lancashire Evening Post – Saturday 05 July 1913

Originally known as Barry Arms after the Smith-Barry family of Marbury, the pub can be traced back to the late 1700s. It changed its name to The Townshend Arms in 1821 and the pub was often referred to locally as “The Witch and Devil” but the reason why has been lost over time.

Back in the 19th century, there were numerous pits for the mining of rock salt across the area that is now the Flashes. At that time, Ashton’s Flash and the adjacent landfill site were known as Dunkirk. On 6th December 1880, just before the miners were due to begin their working day, the Platts Hill Salt Mine collapsed. Whilst parts of Ashton’s salt works began to tumble into the newly appeared craters, the subsidence also caused water to pour in from the River Weaver and Witton Brook, creating bubbling cauldrons of water blasting up through the ground. The road collapsed, houses on Warrington Road, including a Public House the Townshend Arms (or Witch and Devil) subsided and slowly sank.

- Amanda Pritchard (Cheshire West & Cheshire Council) - Greenspace Ranger 

The Townshend Arms was situated near where the Old Warrington Road met Witton Brow. To find the location today you would walk clockwise along the path around the flashes until you are on the stretch that runs alongside Old Warrington Road, then just before you come to the central path which runs across the middle of the flashes look to your right and it was about there.

Sources

Ancestry
British Newspapers Archive
Find My Past
GRO

Photos:
Except where noted, all other photos used on this page are from a collection of photos held by our family

Websites:
https:/www.northwichguardian.co.uk/

About Post Author

Karen

https://hweb.uk

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