ROCK FARM, INCE, 1867

Does anyone know where ROCK FARM was in Ince? My grandad was born there in 1867. Can't find it on any map. Thx

Not sure, brenda, but just googled it and copied this little bit from 'Sudworth family history'



*Sarah Jane’s late husband, Isaac Orrell (b. 18 June 1865 at Rock Tavern, Rock Farm, Ince), died on 28 August, 1893, from a type of TB at 249 Warrington Road, Ince. He was just 28 years old and is buried in an unmarked grave in Ince Crem. He was born in 1867.

I would think it was near where the 'Rock Inn' is/was in Lower Ince. There was a Rock House so I would think the farm was near the house

Yes - I found the Sudbury reference too, but I was trying to pinpout where it was. I heard there was a Rock House also, but was hoping for a map. Thanks for the quick responses!

It is possible that Rock Farm stood where the Rock Inn stood. I note from your web page that Issac's father was a beer seller as well as a coal miner. At one time, many families would brew ale and sell it at the door to earn a few extra bob.. and it is possible this was the beginnings of the Rock Tavern. Although I have to admit, the timeline 1867 up to 1929 when the Rock Tavern stood as it does today is a bit short. Also many taverns also had farm buildings attached. The very word Tavern actually means 'shed'... and they differ from a public house in that at one time drinkers were classed as guests rather than members of the public. This excluded them from the licensing laws of the time. Of course, there is no distinction made now, and any pub called a Tavern is just in name only, it is a public house.

So it is perfectly possible Rock Farm had a Tavern which stood where it does today.

That sounds very feasible to me - Rock House, Rock Farm, Rock Tavern - G-Grandad was a miner, not a farmer, but as you say the farms has many outbuildings and it's quite possible he was renting a cottage on farm land - his son's (my Grandad's) birth cert just says Rock Farm, Ince as place of birth. Appreciate the input - thanks!

My great grand parent was born at Railway Bridge Row, Rock Farm, Ince in 1874. At a later date this area could have been part of Warrington Road between the "Big Rock" and the railway bridge going towards the canal at Britannia Bridge. I think it was called the "Big Rock" by locals because further along the road was another public house called the Rock Ferry. Probably the whole area had been farmed in the past and continued to be called Rock Farm long afterwards.

Hi monome, thanks for the info - it's nice that you have a Street name for your G-grandparent at Rock Farm. Thanks to all responses & to Wigan World!

hi brenda,very interesting rock farm ive never heard of it but i do know the rock ferry pub its had a couple of names over the yrs but its always been the big rock to me and everyone else in this area it is still standing in lower ince although its all bourded up like most pubs today its a shame.

Weren't there two pubs, Big Rock & Little Rock, close to one-another in Ince?

My grt.grt. Grandparents both died at Prestons Arms Inn, Rock farm, Ince. They were Thomas Caswell (died 04.11.1876) and his wife Maria ( died14.10.1877)
I have been trying to learn of where it was situated but haven't had much success at all.
I would be extremely grateful for any info.
On Thomas' death cert it said he was a beerseller.

Hi James, just been looking at an old map of Ince and wondered if the Inn you mention could have been on Preston Street, Ince which I feel is in the right area for Rock Farm. Also on the Ince in Makerfield Directory 1869 which is on the "stuff" section, above, a Mrs John Preston was living at Rock House. Looking at the map too it is a possibility that Rock Farm was one of the farms connected to the Westwood Hall Estate many years before and continued to be known by that name when building began on the land. I know for sure that my gg.parent was born in the area of Rock Farm but I never recall it being used as an address in my time only that they lived on Warrington Rd. So I wonder when it stopped being used in an address. Hopefully someone else will keep adding to this thread.

hi monome, didn't you ask quite a while ago about Wolstencroft/Rigby family? I think I replied to say I am related to the Wolstencrofts by marriage ie.my mother's brother married Marjorie. My name is Norma and I visited the shop quite a lot during my childhood. Would your grt grt g/parents you mentioned be the mr and mrs Wolstencroft I knew? Would be good to hear from you.

Hi james,
Yes I did respond to the Wolstencroft/Rigby thread quite a while ago. I am not related to any of these families. Just that I remembered the shop and some of the names mentioned. I moved away in the 1950's. Sorry not able to help further but nice to hear from you though.

Ah! I was thinking you were a relative. It's lovely to hear from you to. My best wishes.

Also got a relative who died at 38 Rock Farm in 1875. 1881 census description of Ince registration district 23 states 'This district contains two parts known locally as Rock Farm , Rock Hill Fields'. The district is bounded on the east by Warrington Road (nos 2 to 70), on the north by Brittania Bridge, on the West by the railway and on the south by James Street. It contained Chapel Street, Frederick Street, Albert Street, John Street, Baldwin Street, Richard Street,Preston Street and various yards. No official addresses as Rock Farm on the census - how births and deaths were registered that way is anybodies guess. Hope this helps.

Also got a relative who died at 38 Rock Farm in 1875. 1881 census description of Ince registration district 23 states 'This district contains two parts known locally as Rock Farm , Rock Hill Fields'. The district is bounded on the east by Warrington Road (nos 2 to 70), on the north by Brittania Bridge, on the West by the railway and on the south by James Street. It contained Chapel Street, Frederick Street, Albert Street, John Street, Baldwin Street, Richard Street,Preston Street and various yards. No official addresses as Rock Farm on the census - how births and deaths were registered that way is anybodies guess. Hope this helps.