In 1841 there are two James Mathers, aged 4. One is the youngest son of Thomas Mather and Margaret Tinsley at Bengall Square. This James died aged 10. The other is the (baptised) son of James and Catherine Mather at Coronation Street. James aged 3, son of Jeremiah died March 1848, also aged 10. The only other is James, aged 4 with his mother Betty in Little Hulton.
In 1851, James (14) was at Spring Gardens with his father Thomas (50).
In 1861, James (23, unmarried) was a warehouseman, a boarder with James and Sarah Sharrocks at 53 Soho Street, E Bolton.