Hi Anne,
Your notes are correct. Refs are:
1841: HO107 548/12/6 Page 4 says born in County (Lancs)
1851: HO107 2243/186 Page 39 born Bury, Lancs (wonder if f-i-l filled it in?)
1861: RG9 3411/33 Page 20 born Cheshire
1871: RG10 4603/20 Page 34 born Cheshire New Church
I was going to suggest getting the marriage certificate for John and Ellen assuming she was WALTON before marriage to get his father's name, but I can't find anything that matches! Have you tried looking for this before?
Jean
Added: Just noticed that Thomas WALTON is stepfather, do you know Ellen's maiden name?
Added again: Must learn to read through the posts thoroughly, I see you have already posted that she was MILLS!