In 1860, James, sizer, son of Joseph Mather, a labourer married Nancy Ponfret Cooper, dau of Page Ponfret Cooper at St Peter, Bolton.
WARNING: There was also James Cooper who married Peggy Mather at Blackpool in 1852 and had 5 children in Sharples.
In 1851, James (11) was the only child of Joseph (from Wigan) and Mary (from Ireland), living in Lupton Street, Bolton.
In 1861, Mary Jane's birth was registered in Wigan, although the other three births are all in Bolton. Both daughters, Hannah (names after Nancy's mother) died as infants. Nancy (wife) died in 1869, during or soon after giving birth to the second Hannah.
In April 1861 James and Nancy (20 & 19) are at 8 Hanover Street, Wigan with Joseph and Mary Mather (57 & 52).
In 1871, James (30, Widower) was a Steel Forger, back with his parents Joseph and Mary (68 & 63) and the two surviving children Mary Jane (10) and Joseph (5). They were living at 9 Partridge St, next to Bk Lupton Street (where they were in 1851)
In 1881, James Mather (40, Wid) was at Bk Spring Gardens, a general labourer, with son Joseph (14). He also had a daughteer Mary (aged 1) but was a Widowed in 1869