Mark

Finch House c1900

Between 1741 & 1752 this house was the residence of Edward Dicconson - The Roman Catholic Vicar General of the Northern District.

In 1941 Ernest & Marjorie Dowding were living in Crosby, nr Liverpool and to avoid the threat of the bombing moved to Appley Bridge - first to Whitehall Terrace and then here as tenants until 1968 when the building was demolished for housing.

Ernest & Marjorie came here with Pat and John and in 1944, Twins, Judy & Ann were born and grew up here. The left and centre part of the house were occupied by the Dowding family whilst other tenants occupied the right hand side, connecting doors having been blocked off. Both Pat and her family and Ann and her family lived here temporarily in the attic rooms (not at the same time though)

Click HERE to see a report from the Wigan Observer - Nov 1968

The 1881 Census gives the following details about the occupants of Finch House at the time although the dwelling is referred to as Finch Mill House because of the mill in the vicinity.

Dwelling: Finch Mill House
Census Place: Shevington, Lancashire, England
Source: FHL Film 1341899 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 3758 Folio 130 Page 35

Name	Marriage	Age	Sex	Birthplace	Rel	Occupation
Enoch HEYES	W	53	M	Aspull, Lancashire, England	Head	Town Councilor Marchant
James PARKINSON	W	33	M	Wigan, Lancashire, England	Nephew	Groom (Dom)
William HEYES	U	18	M	Wigan, Lancashire, England	Nephew	Grocers Assistant
Elizabeth J. HEYES	U	20	F	Wigan, Lancashire, England	Niece	Housekeeper
Anney HEYES		12	F	Wigan, Lancashire, England	Niece	Scholar
John SHARROCK	U	17	M	Wigan, Lancashire, England	Serv	Labourer

Two views of the main hall and the front door.

The piano gives an idea of the size of the room and it was said that a horse could get through the front door!

Ernest and Marjorie on a bicycle made for two!

On the beach

l-r Nell, Ralph, Eliza Alice and Thomas William Dowding.

Presumably it was a hot day but Thomas is in his Sunday best and Eliza has a fur coat on!