James Hesketh (1835-1911) GJ3C-67R was the son of Henry Hesketh and his first wife Jane Aspinwall, farmers from North Moor Lane. James’ mother died in 1850 when he was only 14 years old. His father, Henry, later married Mary Pilkington (1818-1887) who was the younger sister of Edward and James Pilkington, who had both previously been the innkeeper at the Warehouse Inn/Saracen’s Head. 

James worked on his father’s 70-acre farm until he took over the running of the Saracen’s Head. He married his wife, Catherine Charles on 12th June 1861. She was the daughter of farmer Joseph Charles of Halsall, formerly of Formby. By 1871, James and Catherine were living at the Saracen’s Head and had 4 young children who were all described as scholars in the census. Henry was 9, Eliza – 7, Jane -5, and Joseph – 3 – all named after their grandparents. A few months later on 26th June 1871, another daughter, Ellen was born and then baptised on 16th July of the same year. John was next, born on 3rd December 1872. 

As mentioned previously, the first formal license for the Saracen’s Head was obtained by James Hesketh in 1872.

In 1881, the family was still living at the public house (except for Henry who was a farm servant for John Thompson, farmer and innkeeper at the Scarisbrick Arms in Halsall village). By 1891, James and Catherine had moved out of the pub and were living down the road on Bangor’s Green Lane. James was a labourer. He moved out of Halsall to live in Skelmersdale and in 1901 he was 66 years old, a farmer living at Glebe Farm, Wigan Road, Skelmersdale. 

Catherine Hesketh passed away in 1910 and James died only a few months later in February 1911. He was buried on 22nd February 1911 at Halsall church.