William Hodkinson was probably lived a very normal life for his time, but seemingly lived an extraordinarily long life, before his death in Adlington at the apparent age of 101. What might he have witnessed during this time?
He would have been born in about 1570, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. England was a Protestant country at this time, which is most likely the faith with which William was brought up. It is estimated that Catholics made up about 1-2 per cent of the population - however this is thought to be higher in the Northern counties such as Lancashire.
During his adult life, he would have lived through many historical events. As an 18 year old, he probably heard about and may have even witnessed the beacon on Rivington Pike that's thought to have been lit as a warning when the Spanish Armada was heading towards England in July 1588. He would have been about 33 years old in 1603 upon the death of Queen Elizabeth I, and for the crowning of the Scottish king as King James I.
He would have heard about, and judging by the small population Adlington is likely to have had at the time, probably have known the parents of the conjoined twins born in Adlington in 1613.
He would have heard about, and judging by the small population Adlington is likely to have had at the time, probably have known the parents of the conjoined twins born in Adlington in 1613.
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| Lit beacon at Rivington Pike for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee 2012 Image credited to Bolton Mountain Rescue |
In 1642, civil war began between king and parliament. Most of Lancashire supported the king. There was a John Anderton of Anderton, who was on the parliamentary side. William Anderton of Anderton is named on the royalist side, along with Norisses of Adlington, and they are both reported to have had their lands confiscated.
Now aged about 72, William would have been too old to have been recruited for either side, but it is likely that he may have had sons and grandsons taking part. Oliver Cromwell reportedly stayed at Astley Hall in nearby Chorley in 1648, after the Battle of Preston. I have also heard it rumored that Cromwell spent a night at Harrison Farm down Harrison Lane.
When Cromwell as a devout Puritan, became Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England in 1649, everyday life would have changed for somebody like William. Cock pits and bear baiting was banned, maypoles were pulled down, religious festivals were abolished. The rules were even stricter on Sundays, with games and sports banned, and even walking (unless to attend church) was illegal! When the Monarchy was restored in 1660, there were celebrations across England.
Adlington during William's lifetime was a part of the parish of Standish. Overseers from the parish would collect money from residents, which they would then distribute to the 'deserving poor'. The 'deserving poor' included the elderly, young orphans, and those physically unable to work. Those who were fit enough to work but didn't, were considered idle and were less likely to be helped.
William Hodgkinson is mentioned in these poor records. He was granted poor relief in 1661, and then again in 1665, where he and his wife were listed in Michaelmas petty sessions at Wigan as Adlington residents:
"Relief for William Hodgkinson aged 95 and Susan, his wife."
This relief may have consisted of outdoor relief, where they would have been provided with money, or food and clothing. However, given William's age, it's also possible that they were taken into a local almshouse. Perhaps this is in some way linked to the Old Poor House near the top of Babylon Lane.
We can see William's burial record in the Blackrod parish registers. He was buried as 'William Hodgkinson, th'eld' [the elder] at St Katherine's on 18th October 1671. He would have been aged about 101. His wife Susan died three years later was was buried on the same day of 1674.