Biography

Joseph Harrison, the third child of Edward Harrison and Martha Mason, was born on 16 June 1881, at his parents home at 322 Spring View in Lower Ince. Around 1884, the family moved to 32 Corporation Street, Poolstock, where they were living when Joseph’s sister Alice was born in 1888. The family was enumerated at 32 Corporation Street in the 1891 census. Joseph was listed in the census as a scholar. In 1892, the family moved again to the Pumping Station at Boar’s Head where Joseph’s father was employed.

In the fall of 1894, when Joseph was 13, he lost both his parents. His father Edward died of rabies after being bitten by a stray dog. His mother Martha died a month later of breast cancer. Joseph and his siblings were taken in by their grandfather, Joseph Harrison. Joseph was given Edward’s job and residence at the Pumping Station, so the family continued to reside there. Joseph was a widower, and his spinster daughter, Margaret, raised the orphaned children.

At the time of the 1901 census, Joseph’s extended family was enumerated living at the Pumping Station at Boar’s Head. However, Joseph is not listed in the census so was presumably residing elsewhere at the time.

On 4 January 1902, Joseph Harrison, age 20, married Sarah Ellen Belshaw, age 18, at St. George’s Church in Wigan. Joseph gave his occupation as “water fitter” and, oddly, registered his father as Henry Harrison, engine tender (a description which would apply to his father’s younger brother). All the records for Joseph dated between 1902 and 1913 gives his occupation as a journeyman plumber.

The couple’s first child, Doris Belshaw Harrison, was born at the family home at 54 Barrow Street in Wigan on 1 August 1902. Their second child, Edna, was born at 16 Wignall Street in Poolstock on June 16, 1904. She was baptized at St. James Church in Poolstock in July. Edna died in the same house a year later of water on the brain. Joseph and Sarah Ellen’s third child, Joseph Edward Harrison, was born at 19 Chatham Street, Wigan, on 13 November 1910. Joseph Edward was baptized at St. Catharine’s Church. The family was enumerated living at 19 Chatham Street in the 1911 census. The youngest child, Nora, was born on 14 February 1913 at 1a Cumberland Street.

No records have been recovered for Joseph and Sarah Ellen between 1913 and 1932 when their daughter, Doris, was married. At that time, the family was living at 204 Thickness Street in Wigan, and Joseph’s occupation was listed on the marriage certificate as water superintendent. Joseph again reported 204 Thicknesse Avenue as his address when he registered the death of his sister Elizabeth in 1937; 204 Thicknesse was also the family address at the time of the 1939 register.


Details

  • Residence: 1888-05-15, 32 Corporation Street, Poolstock, Wigan; Edward & Martha Harrison's family home.

    Per Alice Harrison’s Birth Register.

  • Residence: 1891-04-05, 32 Corporation Street, Poolstock, Wigan; Edward & Martha Harrison's family home.

    Per 1891 Census.

  • Occupation: 1902-01-04, Jackson Row, Whelley; Water Fitter.

    Per Joseph and Sarah Ellen’s Marriage Certificate.

  • Residence: 1937-06-25, 204 Thickness Avenue, Beech Hill, Wigan; Joseph & Sarah Ellen Harrison's family home.

    This address was given by Joseph when he registered the death of his spinster sister Elizabeth Harrison.