Although baptised at Ridgway Gates, this John is the missing 3rd son of John and Ann from Blackrod. The other 5 sons (and 3 daughters) are all baptised at St. Katherine, Blackrod and numbered 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th.
In 1841, John and Mary Mather nee Biggins (both 45) are Farmers at Brown's Fold, (Little Scotland), Blackrod. Betty & William Biggins are servants. Ann (60, sister-in-law), John, Thomas and Hannah (30, 20 & 15) are neighbours at Mackinson's farm, Blackrod.
1851: John's wife Mary Biggins died in January. By April, John (60, Wid, born Blackrod) is a farmer of 12 acres at Makinson's Farm, Blackrod. He has Betty Biggins (59) and her son William (21) as servants. His son TBC, Thomas Mather and wife Alice (30 & 25) are on the neighbouring Sibbering's farm (BL6 5LR, Little Scotland, Blackrod).
1852 John Mather died, a year after his wife.