In March 1851, William Morris, aged 12, was a thatcher’s labourer.

Childhood at Hardington

 William was born at Hardington in about 1838, the eldest child of Jacob and Mary Morris. His father was a weaver who later became a farm labourer.

Life in Lancashire

By April 1861, William was married and living at 42 Ann Street, Castleton, Lancashire, where he worked as a cab driver. His wife, Catherine, who as six or seven years older than him, was born in County Mayo, Ireland.

By April 1871, they had moved to Parish Street, Wardleworth, where William worked as a coachman. They later lived in Hanover Street and Penn Street:

April 1881 36 Hanover Street, Groom unemployed

April 1891 14 Penn Street, Cabman.

William died in 1897, aged about 59.

The 1901, 1911 and 1921 census returns show Catherine living at 12 Penn Street.

Catherine died in 1925, aged 95.

Children

William and Catherine had ten children, four of whom survived to adulthood.