James may be a son of Thomas and Jane but missing in 1861. There are no other Lancashire (or Cheshire) MATHER (male) and JOHNSON marriages preceeding James's birth. However, there is no death registered for James between 1857-61.
In 1861, James Mather (4), born Leigh was "son" of Ann Mather (24), lodger of Peter and Catherine Hussey (50 & 52), silk weavers at Westleigh. Was he adopted out, or an illegitimate child of Ann