Hi
I think the family may have been split up, look at this burial
Ellen Cheetham ~ 14 May 1837 All Saints, Rainford, Lancashire, England
Age: 44 yrs
Abode: Eccleston
Note in R.H. Column: New ground No. 25, James Cheetham 2 breadths.
New marriage for father James, maybe. With young children a quick remarriage would make sense
24 Sep 1837 St Lukes, Farnworth (Widnes), Lancashire, England
James Cheetham full age, Coal miner, Widower, Eccleston
Ellen Fairclough of full age, Widow, Sutton
Groom's Father: Benjamin Cheetham ~ Engineer
Bride's Father: Peter Hardman, Coal miner
Witnesses: Ralph Platt and Mary Ann Hasleton.
Still not finding them in the census though, I can find Ellen Cheetham (2nd wife) born 1781 with children Peter ,Alice ,Thomas and Mary Ann, all children surnames Fairclough, in Standish. Ref: Class HO107, Piece: 527, Book 13, Folio 26, Page 12, Line 15.
A marriage in 1848 for MARTHA CHEETHAM
21 Aug 1848 All Saints, Wigan, Lancashire, England
Joseph Henshall - 22, Barber, Bachelor, Wigan
Martha Cheetham - 21, Spinster, Wigan
Groom's Father: Thomas Henshall, Weaver
Bride's Father: James Cheetham, Dead
Witnesses: Peter Topping and Dorothy Topping.
And a possible burial for JAMES CHEETHAM in Shevington, Standish ( where 2nd wife Ellen is living in 1841)
16 Jun 1840 St Wilfrid, Standish, Lancashire, England
James Cheetham -
Age: 51 yrs
Abode: Shevington
claire