Born in Flintshire, North Wales, but John (and other family members) moved to Stoke, Staffordshire. Both John and brother Edward were coal miners.
John was born about the time of the Gresford Disaster. This was one of Britain's worst coal mining disasters which took place on September 22, 1934, just a few miles from where they lived.
Living at 63 Union St, Hanley, Staffordshire in 1861, with name recorded as John "Habbutt", but of correct age, born in same village as later census records, with wife and son Ephriam.
Living at 23 Morpeth Buildings, Birkenhead in 1871
Living at 156 Cathcart St, Birkenhead in 1881
Living at 7 Craven St., Birkenhead in 1891.