Lydia Caroline Mays was the third child of Charles Mays & Lydia Dunford (Walker) born January 3rd, 1846 at Streatham, Surrey & christened May 8th, 1851 at St Leonard’s, Streatham.
Lydia was at home in 1851 at Leyham Lane, Streatham with 2 sisters – Elizabeth & Mary Ann. Her grandmother Lydia Walker was living with the family.
In 1861 Lydia (listed as Caroline in the census) was working as a servant for the Heron family at The White Swan public house, Kennington, Lambeth, Surrey.
Lydia, aged 20, married James Coleman, aged 18, on September 2nd, 1866 at St John the Evangelist, Lambeth. James was a dairyman & was christened May 7th, 1848 at Kennington, Surrey, the son of Jane Harriet & William Coleman, a bricklayer. Witnesses at the wedding were William Coleman & Lydia Mays, Lydia’s mother.
In 1871 Lydia & James were living at 25 William St, Kennington, Lambeth & James was a bricklayer’s labourer. They had 2 children – Charles W (4) & Edward (6 months).
By 1881 James & Lydia had moved to 14 Danbrook Terrace, Streatham & James had become a painter. At home were Charles, Edward & Jane (3). Sadly daughter Jane died later that year, aged 3 years.
Son Charles married Emily Hills in 1886 at Streatham.
The family were still living at Danbrook Terrace in 1891, now at number 48, & James continued to be a painter, as was son Edward, the only child still at home. Son Charles & wife Emily & their 2 children, Walter William Charles (3) & James Albert (3 months), were living in Streatham where Charles was also a painter.
James died, aged 45, at 48 Danbrook terrace & was buried on August 6th,1891 at Norwood Cemetery, Lambeth.
Lydia died, aged 51, in Jan-March 1898 at Streatham.
In 1901 son Charles & wife Emily were living at 17 Fullerton Rd, Croydon with their 6 children, Walter, James, Ada Martha (6), Edwin A.(4), Frederick D (2) & Emily C (7 weeks). Charles died in 1910 leaving widowed Emily with 6 children still at home (18 Alpha Rd, Croydon) in the 1911 census – Edwin, Fred, Emily, John C (8), Charles W J (6) & George A (4).
Son Edward married Emily Jane Burrell in April-June 1893 & by 1911 they had 5 children living with them at 80A Leverson St, Streatham & Edward was an electric light substation attendant.
The children of Lydia Caroline Mays & James Coleman were:
m.5.3.1 Charles William James Coleman born October 27th, 1866 at Kennington, Surrey; died Jan-March 1910 at Croydon, Surrey
m.5.3.2 Edward Arthur Coleman born Oct-December 1870 at Lambeth & christened April 12th, 1871 at St Stephen, Lambeth, Surrey
m.5.3.3 Jane Lydia Coleman born Jan-March 1878 at Streatham, Surrey; died Oct-December 1881 at Streatham