20 Hodson Street

20 Hodson Street was the home of William Harrison (b. 1838) and Ann Williams for at least a decade from 1871 to 1881. It was probably their first home after their marriage in 1870. They may have been living there at the time of the 1871 census but unfortunately we have been unable to locate that record. Their first four sons were born at this address: William in July 1871; John in March 1873; Joseph in April 1877; and James in May 1879. It is likely that their daughters Marthaand Mary Elizabeth were also born at 20 Hodson Street, although we have not yet located their birth certificates. The family was still living at that address at the time of the 1881 census.

The 1907 ordinance survey map of Wigan shows Hodson Street running parallel to Caroline Street one block to the west. This location is only perhaps 500 metres from Pool Street where William’s brother Joseph and his family were living in the 1870s (albeit on the other side of the canal). In fact, William and family moved to Pool Street when they left the Hodson Street home. Hodson Street is in the same location today, although it is no longer residential.