Please help this poor confused soul.

I have Martha Later born abt 1803 in Bowden,Cheshire
married to Richard Jones in 1822 Bowden,St Mary,Cheshire
Then I think she married John Stewart in 1859 Altrincham,Cheshire
I have her on 1881 census as Martha
Later (widow) but I can't seem to
find her on earlier census lists. Her children are proving difficult to find as well.
Would it be usual for a widow to use her maiden name and change her childrens names too?
Can anyone help me find her on any other census please?
Any help would be great
Thanks
Raylen