General Notes

There is no baptism record for this Solomon.  We know he was born 1789 in Turton from his death record (aged 64) and census returns. However it is unlikely he is the son of the other Solomon from Turton who married Martha in 1790, as there are early Turton baptism records for his children, Betty and James in 1791 and 1792.  Therefore, this Solomon is more likely to be the son of one of his brothers, most likely Isaac.  This would also explain the name of their first son Isaac in 1812 and the 4 year gap in birth after they married.

9 Aug 1909, Solomon Mather, a weaver, married Mary Grime.

20 Mar 1819, Solomon was charged at Lancaster Assized for issuing forged one pound bank note at Bolton and similar offence at Sharples.

Solomon's wife was Mary Grime.  The Manchester Mercury (Tue 6 Apr 1819) records Peter Howcroft, William Entwistle, James Grime, Solomon Mather (and others) were all transported for 14 years for having forged bank notes.  The Lancaster Gazette also shows Solomon was aged 29, so this is him!  This is also listed in the England and Wales Criminal Register. Solomon was released after 6 of his 14 year sentence and returned to his wife Mary where it appears he had two more children after a 15 year gap.

1829 - 1830 Amos and Fanny are born and baptised at Edgworth Independent, and after that there's no trace of Amos.

in 1839 when Isaac married, he recorded his father Solomon as a Mechanic.

In 1841, Solomon and Mally were at Crownpoint, Edgworth, Solomon an Ag. Labourer.  They had daughter Alice Hargreaves (25, F.S.) and her daughter Margret (4) with them.

30 Sep 1848, The Manchester Examiner records that the Licence of the Dog (Inn) in Brown Street was transferred from Thomas Sawdon to Solomon Mather.

In 1849: Solomon never learned his lessons.  He was sent down again for 6 months with hard labour for keeping a disorderly house at John Street, Bury (probably the Talbot Inn).

Solomon and Mally were alive in 1851, with Solomon a Publican at the Talbot, 18 Brown Street, L.B.  He had his daughter Alice Hargreaves with him working as the Cook.  John and Elizabeth Mather (both born about 1808) were also at Brown Street in 1841, so may be related.  Alice remarried in Dec 1852, also showing Solomon as a publican.

In 1853, Solomon is shown at the Talbot Inn (Old Dog), 18 Brown Street in the Whellan & Co Trade Directory.  James Grime (probably related to his wife Mary Grime) was at the Wagon and Horses, 172 Blackburn Street, Little Bolton.  His son Isaac also had a Beer House at Edgworth.

Solomon left a Will, probate dated 29 Apr 1854, where he is described as an Inn Keeper.  The Talbot Inn (also known as the Old Dog) closed in 1879.

Solomon's death in April 1854 was reported in the Bolton Chronicle: "On the 13th inst., very suddenly, Mr Solomon Mather of the Talbot Inn, Brown Street, Little Bolton."  The Inn was a working man’s pub, and a meeting place for Bolton's "Radicals".