Years ago I was a Team Vicar in Westhoughton, between Bolton & Wigan, & locally known as just 'Houghton' (but pronounced 'Howfen'). There is a Wearish (or Warish) Lane there, which might be mis-transcribed as 'Waters', & IGI shows a couple of possible John Halls, eg:
name: John Hall
gender: Male
baptism/christening date: 04 Jul 1805
baptism/christening place: West Houghton, Lancashire, England
father's name: James Hall
mother's name: Ellen Hall
indexing project (batch) number: I03998-1
system origin: England-EASy
source film number: 1545485

Unfortunately this period is not yet transcribed by Lancs Online Clerks.

I offer this just as another possibility, not as any more likely than previous suggestions.

Best wishes,

Geoffrey

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PS: I'd forgotten Waters Nook in Westhoughton -only a hundred yards from where we used to live: that might make my suggestion a bit more likely.

G.

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Hi Geoffrey

It definitely throws another Houghton into the exuation (which is a good thing).
I'll keep digging away at it. I'll get there in the end.

Thanks again
RichB

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Just to add a bit more about John Hall's birthplace. Near to the Houghton (Blackburn) is a place known locally as Houghton Bottoms. There used to be a water powered cotton mill there years ago. This would have needed a reservoir or lodge to supply water to the wheel - could John have come from this part??

Dararyl

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Hi

That makes things interesting. on the baptism for John Hall in Blackburn which states place of birth as Houghton his fathers occupation is a miller, this would go along with what you were saying about the mill.

Thanks

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