Born about 1755 as married in 1774, perhaps earlier as Betty born in 1751. Only one matching record for Bolton, son of John and Jane. However, James baptised 23 Sep 1753, son of John Mather and Jane Holt died aged 10 so this cant be him!
Living in G.B. when married
Likely a brother Richard Mather, as family used Walmsey chapel for the baptisms. Also, Isaac, James and John are reoccuring family names.
Very likely brother of William, both of Goose Cote Hill.
Not the son of William Mather of Heaton, Weaver. Heaton (Bolton) is between Deane and Halliwell, about 2 miles West of Bolton, but this Heaton is Manchester, so probably not that James.
James is no longer alive.
Death Notes
The James Mather that died 1794 in Turton, aged 37 is more likely to be the husband of Isobella
General Notes
James & Betty may be from Qularlton.
James and Betty lived at Turton. They were at "Rock" when James was born, and later at "Goose Cote Hill" for Isaac and Margaret. Goose Cote Hill was occupied by the Poor-law Guardians of Bolton Union before being sold in 1863.
This is NOT the James who married Esther Mason and later Hannah Howarth, (possible brother and witness to Peters marriage) as that James was literate.
Assumed cousins, James (and Betty) and Solomon (and Matty) had their daughters Margaret and Betty baptised together on July 3rd 1791 at Walmsley Meeting House.
James and Betty were married in a religious ceremony on November 9th, 1774 at St. Peter's (Bolton) by E Whitehead and witnessed by William Walsh & James Livesey.1
Marriage/Union Notes
Name: Jas. Mather Spouse's Name: Betty Knowles Event Date: 09 Nov 1774 Event Place: Bolton-Le-Moors, Lancashire, England Indexing Project (Batch) Number: I03995-3 System Origin: England-EASy GS Film number: 1545447
They had three sons and a daughter, and also a child of unknown gender, named John, James, Isaac, Margaret and <unknown>. There are possibly more children.
Family Notes
There should be some baptisms between 1774 and 1785. Appart from Peter & Richard Mather and the Howarths with baptisms 1762-1779, other records start with James and Betty in 1785
John was born in 1780 in Little Bolton and his baptism took place on September 10th, 1780 at Turton Chapel.2
Birth Notes
Name: John Mather Event Type: Baptism Baptism Date: 10 Sep 1780 Baptism Place: Bolton-le-Moors, St Peter, Lancashire, England Parish as it Appears: Turton Chapel Father: James Mather Mother: Elizth Mather Reference Number: L243/1/2/1 Item Number: 3 Archive Roll: 854
Although shows as "Turton Chapel" there seem to be too many baptisms for this to be correct. St. Ann, Turton has about 3 to 6 per month, not 20 to 100 (as is the case here). It may be tte name of the old church before St. Peters was built.
James was born in January 1785 in Turton and his baptism took place on January 15th, 1785 at Walmsley Presbyterian conducted by John Taylor.2
Birth Notes
Baptism: 15 Jan 1785 Walmsley Meeting House, Bolton le Moors, Lancashire, England James Mather - [Child] of James Mather & Betty (formerly Knowles) Abode: Rock, Turton, Bolton, Lancashire Notes: [Congregation: Walmsley Meeting] Baptised by: John Taylor Register: Baptisms 1783-1793, Page 8, Entry 92 Source: LDS Film 560904
Other siblings (Isaac and Margaret) were from Goose Colt Hill, which was also the location of the Turton workhouse.
Another James Mather and Betty (Lyon) was baptised 10 Apr 1785 at Turton Chapel, abode G.B.
Another James, son of James and Isabel was also baptised at Turton Chapel 5 Feb 1786. This child died, aged 1.
Yet another James, son or Robert and Peggy was baptised 1788 at Tockholes
He died at the age of 74 in January 1859 in Bolton.3
Death Notes
WARNING: This death is used for two James'
Lancashire Death indexes for the years: 1859 MATHER James 73 Western Bolton WB/26/206
MATHER, JAMES 73 GRO Reference: 1859 M Quarter in BOLTON Volume 08C Page 245
If his father James re-married Happy Lomax or Sarah Makin after James's mother Betty died in 1789, then this son James would be expected to have also died an infant, as his father named another son James (by both marriage options). There are two known deaths and burials for James, but both are of other families: 18 Apr 1787 - James & Isobel 30 Jan 1786 - James & Sarah