Charles Allen Du Val

William Higgins 1784-1853

William Higgins was born on 5 January 1784 at Wybunbury near Nantwich in Cheshire, and baptised there on 18 January 1784.

He married Elizabeth Meban 1787-1851. She was born on 28 January 1787, the younger daughter of David Meban of Dumfries in Scotland.

In 1851 William and Elizabeth Higgins were living at Mount House, Tetlow Fold, Broughton in Salford, Lancashire. He was then aged 67 years, and described as a "Proprietor of Mills, Houses and Railways". With them was his unmarried son Henry Higgins aged 33 years and described as a "Mechanic Master employing with his Partners 622 hands".

Irwell Street Chapel Salford

William Higgins and his wife Mary had the following children:

John Higgins. He was born on 8 November 1808 and baptised on 22 November 1808 at St John's Church in Manchester. He married Mary Cocker of Salford on 31 August 1831 at Manchester Collegiate Church. She died in 1833 aged 25 years, and was buried at Irwell Street Chapel in Salford on 22 November 1833. He married as his second wife Mary Jane Hind of Belfast on 18 May 1836, and they had four children. John Higgins died on 20 May 1877, and was buried at Prestwich near Manchester on 25 May 1877 aged 69 years.

William Higgins. He was born and baptised on 3 December 1810. He died on 5 August 1818 and was buried at Brunswick Chapel in Pendleton on 7 August 1818.

James Higgins 1813-1882. He was born on 27 January 1813 and baptised at Manchester on 25 May 1813. He died on 7 February 1882 and was buried at Turvey in Bedfordshire on 11 February 1882.

Edward Higgins. He was born on 4 May 1815 and baptised at Manchester on 11 June 1815. He died on 3 May 1831 and was buried at Brunswick Chapel in Pendleton on 8 May 1831.

Henry Higgins. He was born on 18 November 1817 and was baptised on 21 December 1817 at Manchester. He married Elizabeth Martha Morley on 3 September 1856. They lived at Morton Jeffries in Herefordshire, and he was High Sheriff of the county in 1887. He died on 11 April 1890 and was buried on 26 April 1890 at Withington in Herefordshire. There are monumental inscriptions to him and his wife in Chester Cathedral and Morton Jeffries Church.

Margaret Higgins. She was born on 23 August 1819 and baptised at Manchester on 10 October 1819. On 11 September 1839 she was married to Robert Platt of Stalybridge in Cheshire. She died on 11 August 1888 and was buried at Stalybridge on 16 August 1888. Her Will was proved at Chester on 12 October 1888. It was in accordance with the provisions of this Will that the surname of the next generation was changed to Platt-Higgins. There is a monumental inscription to them in Chester Cathedral and a memorial window in Christ Church, Stalybridge.

George Higgins. He was born on 13 September 1821 and baptised on 25 November 1821 at Manchester. He was twice married. He married Priscilla Payne at Birkenhead in Cheshire on 17 December 1850. She died in 1855, and he married Frances Mary Moult of Manchester on 7 January 1857 at Kersal near Manchester. He was High Sheriff of Anglesey in 1865. He died on 9 July 1881 and was buried at Kersal on 14 July 1881.

Mary Higgins. She was born on 4 February 1824 and was baptised on 30 April 1824 at Manchester. She died unmarried on 2 March 1844 aged 20 years and was buried at Brunswick Chapel in Pendleton on 7 March 1844.

William Meban Higgins. He was born on 4 February 1826 and was baptised on 6 April 1826 at Manchester. He died on 17 February 1842 and was buried at Brunswick Chapel in Pendleton on 22 February 1842.

Elizabeth Higgins. She was born on 25 February 1828 and was baptised at Manchester on 30 April 1828. She was married to James Renshaw, the eldest son of William Renshaw and Martha Constantine his wife, on 26 February 1851 at Manchester. His sister Anne Renshaw was the first wife of her brother James Higgins 1813-1882. She died on 12 January 1853 and was buried at Prestwich on 18 January 1853. There is a memorial window in Kersal church.


William Higgins died on 7 December 1853 and was buries on 14 December 1873 at Prestwich. there is a memorial inscription and window at Kersal church.