William Hodkinson was born in 1816 in West Leigh and was the son of Thomas Hodkinson (1786). He married Sarah Coop around 1838. In 1841 he was an agricultural labourer and living in Westhoughton. In 1851 he was living in Chew Moor, Rumworth and working as a colliery charcoal burner. In 1861 he was a widower living in Chew Moor and was listed as a coke burner.

Sources
• 1. 1851 Census. Chew Moor, Rumworth. William Hodskinson [sic]. Head. Age 35. Colliery Charcoal Burner. Born West Leigh. • 2. 1861 Census. William Hodkinson [sic]. Head. Widower. Age 43. Coke Burner. Born Westhoughton. • 3. 1841 Census. Westhoughton. William Hodkinson. Age 25. Ag. Lab. Born Lancashire.