Criminal records - Thomas and Ellen Houghton from Houghton, Wigan

[hughsba]

I found in a newspaper that the death of a baby resulted in an inquest and a verdict of starvation.  The parents were indicted on it's manslaughter, and another Rootschat member has told me that the couple were acquitted.  I would like corroborative information if possible, so that I can confirm if the couple are actually related to me.  They were Thomas and Ellen Houghton.  The inquest took place in Wigan on 11 Feb 1876, and the trial was reported on 22 March the same year.  Thank you!

[Bregantia]

Houghton is usually a shortened version of Westhoughton, but this is not a Wigan Parish
A couple married in Wigan below might fit the parents bill if you'd like to check it out

Marriage: 23 Feb 1874 St George, Wigan, Lancashire, England
Thomas Houghton - (X), Full, Collier, Bachelor, Scholes
Ellen Gibson - (X), Full, Spinster, Scholes
    Groom's Father: James Houghton, Collier
    Bride's Father: Samuel Gibson, Labourer
    Witness: John Donnelly, (X); Agnes Gibson, (X)
    Married by Banns by: Philip Hains
    Register: Marriages 1873 - 1880, Page 19, Entry 38
    Source: LDS Film 1885726

[ThrelfallYorky]

This sounds as if it may elicit a useful reply if you contacted either a Wigan Paper, or Library, or possibly the free site called "Wiganworld".

[rosie99]

OP has not been on here since 2015, hopefully they will be notified of a reply on this post.

[ThrelfallYorky]

Can't think how I happened upon it, then. Thanks, Rosie99.