Esther was brought up by Isaac and Mary Farrington.
In 1881, Esther Mather, aged 5 is described at the daughter of Isaac and Esther Fattington (49 & 51) at Entwistle. Also present is Sarah Greenhalgh (71, mother-in-law) and Abraham Mather (8 months) and two male boarders.
In 1891, Esther Mather, aged 15, is still with Isaac and Esther Farrington, but now described as a granddaughter.