The Henry Harold Harrison Family

Biography

Jemima Whittle was born in Chorley on 13 March 1790 and baptized shortly thereafter on 2 April 1790 at Chorley St. Laurence Anglican church. Nothing is known about Jemima’s parents other than their names: James Whittle and Ellen Bouling. However, there were many Whittle families in Chorley at the end of the 18th century, and it is likely that Jemima grew up among many uncles, aunts, and cousins.

On 29 November 1812 at age 22, Jemima married John Harrison, a farmer, in the same St. Laurence Anglican church. She signed the marriage register with her mark, indicating that she was probably never schooled. The couple took up farming in nearby Coppull where Jemima had six children in twelve years. Her second son James, born in 1814, probably died in infancy as the couple also named their third son James. There is a gap of nine years between 1824 when daughter Ellen was born in Coppull and 1833 when son Henry was born in Adlington, during which information concerning the couple is lost. They may have had more children during this period, but it seems unlikely as they had no children of the right age living with them at the time of the 1841 census.

At the time of the 1841 census, John and Jemima were farming and living in Adlington. Their son William was living at home, as were two young boys, Henry age 8 and John age 4. Henry and John were probably grandsons, although it is not confirmed.

By the time of the 1851 census, John and Jemima had moved to Callendar Yard, Wallgate, in the centre of Wigan. They were looking after an age 2 granddaughter named Sarah Ashcroft. They had taken in a lodger.

Ten years later in 1861, the census taker found Jemima at the home of her eldest son John on St. Thomas Street in Wigan. She may have been visiting her son’s family for the evening, or perhaps John and Jemima had separated.

The 1871 census taker seems to have overlooked Jemima. However, it was there at 17 St Thomas Street that she died of old age on 1 September 1871. Jemima is buried in the church yard at Standish St Wilfrid Anglican church. Her headstone inscription proclaims “Jemima Harrison of Wigan.” Jemima Harrison must have been an impressive woman, because so many of her descendants chose to name their daughters “Jemima.”

Source Documents

• Baptism Record of Jemima Whittle (1746–1871)
• Death Certificate of Jemima Whittle (1790–1871)

Details

• Burial: Standish St. Wilfrid's Church Yard;
• Christening: 1790-04-02, Chorley St Laurence;
• Residence: 1814-05-01, Coppull; John & Jemima Harrison family home.

  Per Baptism Record for son James, Coppull Chapel, 1 May 1814.

• Residence: 1815-10-15, Coppull; John & Jemima Harrison family home.

  Per Baptism Record for son James, Coppull Chapel, 15 Oct 1815.

• Residence: 1817-04-16, Coppull; John & Jemima Harrison family home.

  Per Baptism Record for son William, Coppull Chapel, 16 Apr 1817.

• Residence: 1820-07-30, Coppull; John & Jemima Harrison family home.

  Per Baptism Record for daughter Alice, Coppull Chapel, 30 Jul 1820.

• Residence: 1824-06-20, Coppull; John & Jemima Harrison family home.

  Per Baptism Record for daughter Ellen, Coppull Chapel, 20 Jun 1824.

• Residence: 1833-06-16, Adlington, Lancashire, England; John & Jemima Harrison family home.

  Per Baptism Record for son Henry, Coppull Chapel, 16 Jun 1833.

• Residence: 1841-06-06, Adlington, Lancashire, England; John & Jemima Harrison family home.

  Per 1841 Census.

• Residence: 1851-03-30, Callender Yard, Wallgate, Wigan; John & Jemima family home.

  per 1851 Census.

• Residence: 1861-04-07, 17 St Thomas Street, Wigan; John & Elizabeth Harrison family home.

  Per 1861 Census.