Biography of James Gay

James was born on 4 April 1826 to parents Thomas Gay & Martha Clark, probably at Heigham, Norwich.

His mother died 20 September 1840. In the 1841 census he's 15, a labourer, living at Lime Kiln Yard, Heigham, Norwich with his father (35), brothers Thomas (15, bakers boy) & Isaac (15), and sisters Martha (13), Matilda (11), Marianne (8), Hannah (6) & Eliza (2).

James married Mary Baker on 24 May 1847 at St Pancras, Middlesex. By 1851 he's living at 2 St. George Street, Bromley, Middlesex, age 25, working as a labourer, his wife is 26, and they have two children, Eliza (3) and Henry (11 months).

In the 1861 census James (37, now a boat makers labourer) & Mary (38) are living at 17 Bull Lane, Stepney, London, with daughters Eliza (13), Emma (9), Esther (7), Charlotte (3), and sons Henry (11) & William (5). By 1871 James (45, now a road-sweeper) & Mary (46) have moved to 41 Carr Street, Limehouse, Stepney, London, living with their sons Charles (14, butcher's boy) & John (6), and daughter Emma (18, washing & charing).

His wife died in 1888; he died eary in 1891.