John and Ruth Restell

John and Ruth are the parents of James Draper Restell (and I have the paper to prove it). I am getting somewhat confused about this Mr. and Mrs., however. The census tracks nicely through their early lives. In 1841 he is a labourer in Kent. In 1851 he is a labourer in Kent. In 1861 Ruth is a painter's wife but he's not at home on census day. Ruth dies in 1863 in Kent. After this things go a bit wacko. The only John Restell listed later than 1861 (with the same birthdate of 1808) leaps from labourer/tradesman to store-keeper/merchant. In 1871 John is living with someone called Rebecca. He is listed as an Engine Driver at works (I think this is his cement works) . In 1875 John marries Rebecca Smith (nee James) and is listed on the marriage certificate as a cement merchant. In 1881 he is listed as a grocer and he dies in 1883. In 1901 Rebecca is a pauper (ex- needlewoman ) and in the Hackney Union Workhouse. She dies in1902. Is this John the same person?