William was born in 1837. William's father was James Mather and his mother was Mary Dodd. He had a brother and four sisters, named Thomas, Elizabeth, Hannah, Mary and Ann. He was the third oldest of the six known children.
General Notes
In 1841, William (4) was with his parents James (a "Shoem" i.e. a shoeman or shoe maker) and Mary at Greengate, Salford.
In 1851, William (12) was with his parents at Prestwich.