• General Notes

  Did James lead a double life?
  
  7 Aug 1837, James (24), bachelor and spinner, son of Samuel Mather a weaver married Margaret daughter of Joseph Slater (21), both of Kearsley.  Could this be the James with Lomas Mather in 1841? 
  
  From GRO records, t seems James and Margaret had no children.  The Mather+Slater births for John in 1847 & Sarah Hannah 1849 are for Job Mather and Elizabeth Slater. Both their children died.   Joseph Stockton was a witness.  However, they did have children, but the MMN is STCOKTON, not SLATER.
  
  Although married to Margaret with a son Henry (6mo), he was not with them in 1841. Instead James was working nearby at Culcheth, Leigh as a farm servant.  Margaret (20) was at Janes Square, Leigh with her son Henry (6 months) and her mother Ann Stockton (65).
  
  In 1851, James and Margaret (38 & 31) were in Ancoats, Manchester with Henry (10), Joseph (6) and Elizabeth A (3)
  
  Around 1855, James and Margaret appear to have seperated.
  
  In 1861, James Mather (47) and the four children (but not Elizabeth) were living in Sharples.
  
  In 1871, Margaret Mather (Mar, 51) with Elizabeth Alice (22) and James (19) were "boarding" with he older son Henry and his family.  Husband James wasn't there.
  
  In 1877, Another James Mather (son of Ellis and Jane) died at 32 Chapel Street, Blackburn aged 63 (so same age).  Probate shows his wife was also Margaret.  He was a Grocer.  He and his wife Margaret (56 & 54) and daughter Jane (17) were in Blackburn in 1871, so this must be another family.

Details of James' family with Margaret Stockton (Slater)