1875 Kelly's Directory of IOW
Richard James, photographer, Royal Arcade, Ryde

My thanks to Ann Barrett for locating this advertisement.

Richard James senior was found to be occupied as a china dealer at 45 Union Street in the 1851, 1861 & 1871 censuses, and probably carried on until his death in 1878 (being buried at Ryde Cemetery). During the earlier years, Richard and Sarah had two further children while in Ryde - Robert George (c1843) and Thomas Edwin (c1845). Sadly, Thomas died from consumption (TB) in March 1861 at the age of 16, just a few days before the 1861 census (see below).

Richard James junior married Fanny Coombes Halsted on 11 March 1850 at All Saints Church, Newchurch. Fanny was from Bognor, Sussex, the daughter of a Thomas Halsted. Fanny's second name of Coombes is interesting, because in 1847 at St Marys Church, Cowes, Richard's sister Caroline had married a James Coombes, a smith from Shorwell. The name Coombes also crops up in later censuses associated with the James' family.

By the time of the 1851 census, Richard jnr and Fanny had moved to Lymington, Hants, where Richard was working as a china and glass dealer on the High Street. They had also had the addition of a 3-month old son, Richard Oliver (born in Lymington).

Their time on the mainland may have been short lived, because in 1852 they had another son, Leonard Albert, born at Ryde, followed by a daughter, Amy Eliza, in 1860. Of course, it is possible they continued to live in Lymington, and just came over to the Island to be in the company of other relatives for the births of their children. However, by the time of the 1861 census, the family was in residence at 18 Union Street, Ryde, close to Richard senior's china shop. In the census, Richard was described as a 32 year old photographic artist & estate agent, lodging house keeper & reporter(?). Living with Richard were his wife Fanny, children Leonard and Amy (firstborn Richard Oliver was not present, he may have died), servants Ann Lewis and Mary Farrell (both 15 and from the mainland), and 20 year old photographic assistant William Cass from Newport. Interestingly, just three houses away lived photographer John Symonds, while further along lived another early photographer William Hicks.

The family was still living at 18 Union Street in 1871, and the census for that year confirms that Richard (43) was still operating as a photographer, though with no mention of his previous sideline activities! The family had increased with the addition of children Percy Edwin (7), Ellen Eliza (3) and William Halsted (1). Richard's wife Fanny (45) and eldest son Leonard (18), now described as a photographers assistant, completed the family (by this time daughter Amy had disappeared), and there was one servant, 17 year old Charlotte Eveny from Dorset.

By the time of the 1881 census, the family had moved to Portsea, Hants, and Richard had apparently given up photography as his occupation was described as author & publisher of tracts, occasional preacher. Richard's wife Fanny and children Percy, Ellen and William were present, though eldest son Leonard had disappeared. Once again, the family enjoyed the benefits of a servant, and at this time it was a 23 year old unmarried Frances Coombes from Ryde - no doubt a relative.

The 1891 census shows that Richard had not given up photography entirely, as his occupation was described as a publisher of photographs etc (employer). Likewise, his son Percy was employed as a photographic printer. The family was still living in Portsea, and included Richard's wife Fanny and unmarried daughter Ellen (by this time William had disappeared!).

Richard James died at Portsea in 1899, and the 1901 census finds his widow Fanny (75) living back in Ryde as head of the house Lulworth in John Street. Also living with her were her widowed daughter Ellen Corney (33) and boarders widow Caroline Coombes (75) - Richard's sister - and unmarried Frances Coombes (43) - her old servant and probable relative. By this time, Percy James had married and was living in Portsmouth with his young family, working as a furniture warehouse porter.

Further information about Thomas Edwin James and details of his grave can be found on the Ryde Social Heritage Group website at www.rydecemetery.org.uk/grave_record.asp?graveid=726