William Holding was the son of John Holding (1785) and Jane Darbyshire and was born in 1818 in Duxbury. In 1841 he was living in Grimshaw Cottages, Haigh, and working as a coal miner. He married Alice Alker. In 1851, still a coal miner, he was living at Bottoms, Blackrod. In 1861 he was living in Dove Lane, Hindley and, in 1871, in Cale Lane, Aspull. Alice had died before 1881 and he married Susannah Brookfield. In 1881, still working as a coal miner, he was living at 10 Longfield Street, Aspull.

Sources
• 1. 1841 Census. Grimshaw Cottages, Haigh. William Holding. Age 20. Born Lancashire. • 2. 1851 Census. Bottoms, Blackrod. William Holding. Head. Age 33. Coal Miner. Born Duxbury. • 3. 1861 Census. Dove Lane, Hindley. William Holding. Head. Age 42. Coal Miner. Born Duxbury. • 4. 1871 Census. Cale Lane, Aspull. William Holding. Head. Age 53. Coal Miner. Born Chorley. • 5. 1881 Census. 10 Longfield St., Aspull. William Holding. Head. Age 64. Coal Miner. Born Duxbury.