FAMILY GROUP RECORD OF
JOHN WITHINGTON AND
ELIZABETH HIGGINSON


John Withington of Tildsley was christened  27 June 1604 in Leigh parish, Lancashire, with no parents listed.


John
        Withington baptism

Baptism record for John Withington in Leigh: "John Wythington de eodem (the same place as above) - 27"


John married Elizabeth Higginson 16 October 1633 in Leigh.


John Withington marriage

Marriage record for John Withington and Elizabeth Higginson in Leigh:
"John Withington Elizabeth Higginson - 18"


John is described in a history of Atherton: "John Withington, nailor died in 1665. His wife was Elizabeth and a daughter of the same name, who had married Edward Green. He had given by agreement to his daughter an ample dowry, but £27 of it was still unpaid at the time of his death. Other daughters were Ann, wife of Richard Lythgoe, and Margaret, unmarried. A son Henry took a pair of looms and all its accessories to be found in the shop. Withington left in all £51 6s. 6d. In this grate and iron chimney he burned coal and cannel." (History of Atherton)


John was a nailor in Leigh: "Nailmaking was a guild mystery, with the special rules governing the admission to the craft, the quality of wares and the service conditions of the young apprentices...the apprentice on shedding his indentures received 6s. 8d. from his master and a piece of iron. They were the guild's rules to regulate the setting up of a new member of the ancient craft." (History of Atherton, John Lunn) 


These Withingtons are found in the 1642 Protestations:

The men of Atherton who took the Oath of Protestation in Leigh Parish Church before John Atherton, February 1641.

Nicholas Withington
John Withington
Peeter Withington
Joseph Withington
George Withington
Henry Withington


"Withington Common, 1612: This thatched homestead lies on the very boundary of the two townships of Astley and Tyldesley. It was for many generations the home of the Withington family. George Withington was buried at Leigh in 1612. Richard Withington and John took the oath in 1641; Thomas and George in 1696. The farm stood originally in Chaddock Lane and the waste, from which its name derives, is still common land, though situate in Astley. In early times the Withingtons were dependent on Chaddock Hall." (www.tyldesley.co.uk) 


John died and was buried 15 November 1665 in Leigh.



John and Elizabeth had the following children:


*1. Elizabeth, christened 20 February 1639 in Leigh; married Edward Green in April 1663 in Leigh.

Elizabeth
      Withington

Baptism record for Elizabeth Withington in Leigh: "Elizabeth Withington of Tildsley da of John"



2. Ann, married Richard Lythgoe.


3. Margaret


4. Henry



SOURCES: Leigh parish registers, www.ancestry.co.uk; History of Atherton, by John Lunn.



George Withington of Tyldesley died and was buried 2 April 1612 in Leigh.


George
        Withington burial

Burial record for George Withington in Leigh:
"George Wythington de Tildesley - 2"


This is the George mentioned in the history of Tyldesley as being of Withington Common like John: ""Withington Common, 1612: This thatched homestead lies on the very boundary of the two townships of Astley and Tyldesley. It was for many generations the home of the Withington family. George Withington was buried at Leigh in 1612. Richard Withington and John took the oath in 1641."   Possibly George was John's father.




Withington Common still exists. John Lunn the author of  the histories of Tyldesley and Atherton later fought to save Withington Common from developers. It is now a triangular greenspace in Astley.


Withington Common

Withington Common near Chaddock Lane (Google Maps)


Withington
            Common

Withington Common (Google Maps)

Withington
            Common

Trees in Withington Common (Google Maps)


Withington Common

Withington Common (Google Maps), the ancient home of the Withingtons