John Mays was the fourth child of Richard Mays & Caroline Roser christened July 12th, 1840 at East Grinstead.
In 1841 John, his 2 sisters & 1 brother & his parents were living at East Grinstead where his father was a farmer.
By 1851 John was working as a farm boy for Ann Brooker, a farmer of 6 acres, & her sister Mary Brooker at Goring Field, Forest Row, East Grinstead.
By 1871 John had become a licensed victualler & was living in London in the Golden Square district of St James Westminster. Lodging with him was his uncle Joseph Mays [m.9], an office keeper, & his wife Caroline.
John married Emily Thompson in Oct-December 1872, the marriage being registered at St George, Hanover Sq, London. Emily was born c1842 at Evesham, Worcestershire.
In 1881 John & Emily were living at 38 Cambridge St, St George, Hanover Sq & John was described as a ‘licensed victualler out of business’.
At the time of the 1891 census John & Emily were living with John’s cousin Arthur Mays (a carpenter) & his wife Mary at 8 Gt. Coram St, Bloomsbury St George, London & John’s occupation was given as publican. Arthur was the son of Thomas Mays [m.3] & his wife Mary Hart.
In 1901 John & Emily were boarding with William Crowe & family at 31 Tabley Rd, Upper Holloway, Islington, London. John was now described as a retired licensed victualler.