John Mather & Elizabeth Kay

John Mather
John was born in November 1815 in Little Bolton.² 

• Birth Notes
  • Aged >21 in 1837 when married
    Aged 25 in 1841 (rounded)
    Aged 35 in 1851, Born Little Bolton, Lancashire.
    Aged 45 in 1861, Born Bolton (and Elizabeth 43, Halliwell)
    Aged 49 in Mar 1865 when died
    
    Born before March 1816 as aged 49 at time of death.
    Born after Sep 1817 as minor when marrying Ellen Buckley
    
    Older brother Isaac was baptised at Ridgway Gates in 1810.  The Bolton Library baptism records for Ridgway Gates finish at 1814, and the only other records for there which have been deposited are burials records.  The only John Mather I can find a baptism for is 21 Jun 1816 at Walmsley (St. Mary, Turton) a son of Samuel Mather and Alice Greenhough Mather, which is another John Mather.
    
    For John to be a minor (under 21) when he married Ellen, he was born after 9 Oct 1816
    
    John Mather born 21 Jun 1816, Baptism 21 Jul 1816, son of Samuel Mather and Alice Greenhamgh is another.
    
    

He died  due to Chronic Hepatic disease and Jaundice at the age of 49 on March 21st, 1865 at 114 Chorley Street.  The funeral took place at Moor Lane Baptist.  His burial was on March 25th, 1865 at Tonge-with-Haulgh Cemetery.^3 4 5 

• Death Notes
  • Elizabeth was a widow by 1871 census
    
    John Mather died 21st March 1865, while living at 114 Chroley Street, of Chronic Hepatic disease (liver disease), and Icterus (now called jaundice) - 3 weeks.  He was only aged 49 at time of death.
    Joseph Mather (his son), was present at the death, who was also living at 114 Chorley Street, Little Bolton.
    
    See death certificate for further details (added Aug-2007).
    
    The grave records dated 1873 are in the Inman/Foot family.  The grave was bought originally for £2 by Elizabeth in 1865 and is in Tonge and Haulgh cemetery (at the back of where Fred Dibnah used to live)  Ref - 2:F:29NC  There are 3 inmates buried as follows:
    Burial     Internment            Name                           Age
    12657     25/3/1865            John Mather                 49 years
    73225     15/11/1902          Ruth Inman                   48 years
    77741     9/1/1908              Hannah Richardson     65 years
    There is no tombstone but we think it is next to the grave bought by John's brother George also in 1865 when his first wife died.
    
    The epitaph from the tombstone is matriarch Alice Mather, Samuel’s widow, is buried here as well as George and family.
    
    The funeral service was conducted by T.W. Handford, who was daughter Sarah Alice's brother-in-law.  Grave 2.F.29
    
    Another John Mather, aged 66, of Kay Street died 27 Feb 1849
    
    Lancashire Death indexes for the years: 1865
    MATHER    John    49    Little Bolton    LB/32/112
    

Elizabeth Kay
Elizabeth was born in December 1817 in Halliwell and her christening took place on December 14th, 1817 at St. Mary (Deane).^2 6 

• Birth Notes
  • Aged 32 in 1851, born Halliwell
    
    Born Halliwell, Deane, Lancashire. Confirmed by 1851 and 1861 and 1871 census records.
    
    Aged 32 on 1851 census
    Aged 54 on 1871 census (and stationer)
    
    Name:    Elizth Kay
    Baptism Date:    14 Dec 1817
    Baptism Place:    Deane, St Mary, Lancashire, England
    Father:    Ralph Kay
    Mother:    Ruth Kay
    Reference Number:    GB127.L85/1/2/2
    
    Abode Halliwell (finisher)
    

She died due to natural causes or old age, By the visitation of God from Natural Causes, at the age of 74 in April 1892 in Birkenhead.  The funeral was arranged by Charles Thompson.  Her burial was on April 13th, 1892 at the Flaybrick Memorial Gardens.^7 3 

• Death Notes
  • According to census records, Elizabeth must have died between 1891 and 1901 in either Birkenhead or Bolton.
    
    Died in Birkenhead, recorded Q2-1892 as aged 70 (Page 8a, page 304), based on deaths in Birkenhead after 1891.  There are other deaths in Birkenhead and Bolton that also match, but burial record confirms this is the one.
    
    The Will and probate for this Elizabeth Mather was ordered from Leeds (14-Jun-2007), but no record of a Will could be found.
    
    Elizabeth was buried in the non-conformist section of Flaybrick cemetary on 13-April-1892, age 70 (?), widow of John.  The address was 34 Vine Street, Birkenhead.  She was buried in a public grave in section NC5, grave 5,558.  The funeral ceremony was performed by Charles Thompson.
    
    Celia tells us that her death certificate says she died "by the visitation of God from natural decay".  No wonder there was an inquest!