William Mather, a crofter, was the illegitimate son of Ann Mather of Pilkington.
Its not clear where William was in 1841 and 1851.
In 1851, William may have been a servant (21, druggist) to Samuel & Ann Chadwick at Top o'the Height, Bolton. If this is him, he appears to have a sister Betsy, b.1822 at Blackrod, also a servant.
2 Jan 1857, William Mather of Stand Lane married Dinah Fogg of Cow Lane, daughter of George Fogg a Carter at All Saints, Stand.
In 1881, William and Dinah (49 & 45) were living at 2 Back Stonehewer Street with their three sons Joseph (23), George (19) and John (11)
In 1891, William and Dinah (60 & 55) where at Whitefield with sons George (30) and John (21)