John probably had a brother-in-law Jeffery Mather and sister Martha Mather who were witness to his marriage and also married in 1836. If so, his parents were James Mather and Mary Barrat who married 1812, the year his sister Martha was born.
In 1836, John Mather married Alice Kenyon. Having no parents or brothers, his sister Martha Mather (who married her cousin Jeffery Mather) was witness.
1 June 1841, John and Alice (both 25) were at Middleton, Salford with Joseph (3) and Sarah (14 days)
In 1851, John and Alice (36 & 35) were at Chadderton with Joseph and Sarah (13, 17, & 9) and Samuel Barlow (lodger, 17)
In 1861, John (46, Wid) was a labourer at the Calico Print Works, 46 born Tildslay Banks with Joseph and Sarah (23 & 19). He also had two nieces Sarah Balrow and Alice Middleton (both 11) with him. He was living in Church Street, Middleton (a "Private House").
In 1860, John's wife Alice died at Rhodes, Middleton.
In 1871, John Mather (56) was a Block Printer and Green Grocer at Church House, Middleton with Joseph (33) and Sarah (29), also Sarah Barlow (21, niece) and Alice Middleton (niece).
In 1881, John Mather (66, Coal yard labourer) was at Blackpool with Joseph (40) and Sarah (38, a lodging house keeper), both born Rhodes (Middleton)