Joseph Fox, Sr. and Jane Dowbiggin

From Carolyn Fox Bernat – received 2001

Joseph Sr. was a printer (in the clothing industry) in Withnell in February 1841; and an Agricultural Labourer in June of 1841 of Abbey Mill, Withnell; and finally in 1851 was a Tackler/Weaver in Preston.

Jane Dowbin (Dowbeggin, Dawberkin) was a Steam loom Weaver.  They were married in the Anglican parish church by law, but probably married in a Catholic Church right after like most other Catholics did back then.  Joseph, his wife Jane, and their witnesses at their marriage, Jane Short and Thomas Aspin, all signed with an "X".  Joseph was Baptized in the Parish of Chorley-St. Lawrence.  Jane was born in Newton and Baptized in Hoghton, parish of Leyland.  In 1841 they both lived at Abbey Mill, Withnell, Lancashire County.  All Joseph and Jane's children were born in Hoghton, but were Baptized in the Parish of Chorley.

All marriages, except for those of Jews and Quakers, had by law to take place in the established Anglican parish churches, but many Catholic couples went through another ceremony in their own church.  These were not always recorded, as there was no legal requirement to do so.

They lived at Abbey Hill.  They later moved to Blacow Street in Preston, where son William was born, but moved to German Street in 1851.

Joseph’s parent’s names were William Fox and Alice Rigby.

John Dawberkin  was Jane’s father.  He lived with them after his wife died.  He was born about 1781 in Newton, County of Lancashire.  He was a weaver. 

Notes on Dowbiggin Line

There is a Dowbiggin society which has exhaustively researched this line back to 1505. There are many alternate spelling listed in the records (Dawberkin, Dowbin (Dowbeggin).

Click on Jane Dowbiggin hourglass tree to see more of the Dowbiggin line.

Click on Joseph Fox hourglass tree to see Fox line.

For a very deep scholarly history of the derivation of the Dowbiggin name and family history click on Dowbiggin History.  This is a wonderful example of how much can be revealed by a thorough investigation.