Charles May was the fifth child of Elizabeth Agent & John May christened October 24th, 1813 at East Grinstead, Sussex .
Charles married Lydia Dunford on January 27th, 1839 at St Mark's, Kennington, London. Lydia was the daughter of Lydia Dunford & Robert Walker, who had married in 1813 at Croydon. Lydia was christened Lydia Walker on November 25 th 1817 at St John the Baptist, Croydon, Surrey. It is unknown why Lydia gave her mothers maiden name at the time of her marriage.
By 1841 Charles & Lydia had 2 children - Elizabeth (2) & Mary (6 months). The family were living at Mitcham Lane, Streatham, Surrey in 1841 & Charles was a horse keeper. Living next door were Lydia's parents, her father being described as a shoe m; they had 2 gardeners living with them.
In 1851 Charles & Lydia were living at Leyham Lane , Streatham & Charles was now described as a stable man. They now had Elizabeth, Mary Ann & Lydia (5) at home. Charles' mother-in-law, Lydia Walker, aged 79 was living with them. She was described as a pauper, gardener's widow.
By 1861 Charles had become a potter & he & Lydia were living at 1 Spencer Place , Kennington, Lambeth, Surrey . At home were 3 children – daughter Mary Ann (listed as Margaret in census), a servant & sons John (7) & William (3). Daughter Elizabeth was now married to her cousin William Mays, the son of William May [m.4] & they had a 2 week old son Arthur. They were living at Chiddingstone, Kent where William was a carter. Daughter Lydia, now calling herself Caroline, was a servant for David Heron & family, a publican in Kennington.
There is a death for Charles William Mays recorded in Lambeth in July-September 1865.
In 1871 widow Lydia , now a laundress, was living at 3 Milford Place , Kennington, Lambeth with sons John, a cowman, & William, an errand boy. Visiting was Sarah Barrister, a 34 year old dressmaker. Also listed with them was Frank Marks, a 3 year old nurse child.
In 1881 Lydia had returned to Streatham & was living at 2 Lanes Cottages, Croydon Rd. She was still working as a laundress & had 3 boarders living with her. Son William had joined the Royal Navy by this time & was a gunner in the Royal Marines on board ship ‘District Monarch' on the night of the census.
Lydia was still at Lanes Cottages in 1891 & with her was son John, a labourer.
Lydia died in April-June 1897, aged 79, the death being registered at Croydon.
The children of Charles May & Lydia Walker were:
m.5.1 Elizabeth Mays born March 26th, 1839 at Streatham & christened April 28th, 1839 at St Leonard 's, Streatham, Surrey
m.5.2 Mary Ann Mays christened July 9th, 1843 at St Leonard 's, Streatham, Surrey
m.5.3 Lydia Caroline Mays born January 3rd, 1846 at Streatham & christened May 8th, 1851 at St Leonard's, Streatham, Surrey
m.5.4 John Charles Mays born April 11th 1854 at Streatham & christened September 10th, 1854 at St Leonard's, Streatham, Surrey
m.5.6 William F Mays born c1858 at Lambeth, Surrey