William Charles Lay

He was born c. 1803 in Deptford, Kent. He married his first wife, Leonora Harrison, on 21 July 1826 at St. Mary, Rotherhithe, and then after her death, he married Elizabeth Lines on 23 August 1831 at St. Mary le Bow, London.

By 1861 he is  both a Draper and a  Coke Merchant and he is living with his wife Elizabeth at 10 Northbrook Street, together with his son Frederic, aged 22, a Draper; his nephew Benjamin Carter, aged 16, also a Draper; and Louisa Williams, aged 17, a Domestic Servant.

In 1868/69, advertisements in the Newbury Weekly News show he is delivering “a good household coal in Newbury, at 18 shillings per ton, and the poor are supplied at the Stores with a useful coal at 10 pence the Cwt”.  He was based at the Great Western Coal Stores, Newbury Station, and “payments will be thankfully received at the Stores, Mr. Joseph Hopson’s Furniture Warehouse, Northbrook Street, or residence at No.8 Madeira Place.”.

By 1881, aged 77 and still a Coal Merchant, he is living at 9 Kimbers Almshouses with Elizabeth. After the death of his wife, he continues to live at 9 Kimbers Almshouses, where he died on 9 February 1897 aged 94 years. Probate was granted to Katherine Hopson, wife of Joseph Hopson. 

He is buried with his second wife Elizabeth. There is an inscription to his first wife Leonora.

Sources: Census 1861 to 1891; Church of England Marriages 1754-1921;   BMD 1Q 1897 Death; National Probate/Wills             

Mrs. P. Code S (A) 12, page 40

Sources:as above