Mary and Humphrey Coley had six children, all baptized at St. Philip's Church, Birmingham, England. Following are the names of the children and their dates of baptism: Benjamin Coley, 27 Mar 1769; Sarah Coley, 2 Mar 1771; Thomas Coley, 3 Apr 1773; Mary Coley, 31 Jul 1775; Humphrey Coley, 11 May 1778; and Humphrey Coley, 30 Oct 1781. I have no further information for any of these children, except for Benjamin.

ELIZABETH AND BENJAMIN COLEY OF BIRMINGHAM

Benjamin Coley, son of Mary and Humphrey Coley, was baptized 27 Mar 1769, at St. Philip's Church, Birmingham. Benjamin Coley married a woman whose first name was Elizabeth. Elizabeth and Benjamin Coley had three children, all baptized at St. Philip's: Elizabeth Coley, 6 Jan 1804; Amelia Coley, 17 Mar 1806; and Benjamin Coley, 25 Jan 1808.

Before proceeding, I must present this disclaimer. I do not know for a fact that Benjamin Coley, the father of Elizabeth, Amelia and Benjamin, was, in fact, the son of Mary and Humphrey Coley. I am speculating that he was.

According to their obituary notice, mother Elizabeth Coley died 12 Jan 1832, at the age of 63 years. Father, Benjamin Coley died 19 Oct 1845, at the age of 76 years. Both died at Egbaston.

ELIZABETH (COLEY) AND EDWARD RICHARD JONES, CARVER AND GUILDER, OF LONDON, STOURBRIDGE, AND BIRMINGHAM

Elizabeth Coley, daughter of Elizabeth and Benjamin Coley, was baptized 6 Jan 1804, at St. Philip's Church, Birmingham.

Elizabeth Coley married Edward Jones, 16 Oct 1830, at St. Philip's Church. For an unknown reason, Edward did not use his middle name, Richard. The marriage was performed by A. A. Pountney. Witnesses were Amelia Coley and Benjamin Coley (whom I presume to have been Elizabeth's sister and brother,) and James Fisher.

Edward Richard Jones, son of Mary Edith (Alvin) and Edward Biven Jones, was born about 1802, at London, England, according to the 1851 Census for Birmingham. In the NATIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GREAT BRITAIN, Edward Biven Jones was described as the "son of Schoolmaster Jones of Hanbury, born in Wales...married to a Biven girl." Edward Richard Jones, who lived in both London and Stourbridge before moving to Birmingham, was a professional carver, guilder, and picture frame maker.

Edward Richard Jones had been living in London with his widowed mother, until her death when he moved to Stourbridge. It was there that he met Elizabeth Coley. Two years after their marriage, Elizabeth (Coley) and Edward Richard Jones moved into a new home on Bennet's Hill, Birmingham. Edward had set space aside for a studio for himself so that he could work at home and be near to his wife and their new baby boy who was born 28 Aug 1833.

Sadly, Elizabeth (Coley) Jones suffered complications of childbirth and died a few days after the baby's birth. Edward was in no position, nor frame of mind, to care for an infant. He was distraught over the loss of his beloved wife.

Edward's married sister, Keturah (Jones) Burne, took the infant home with her while her brother grieved for his lost love.

Four months had passed before the distraught father, upon the urging of his sister, brought his infant son to St. Philip's Church in Birmingham, to be baptized 1 Jan 1834. The infant was given the name Edward Coley Burne Jones. The Coley was, of course, for his mother; the Burne was in honor of Keturah, who continued to care for the infant.

GEORGIANA (MacDONALD) AND SIR EDWARD COLEY BURNE-JONES, ARTIST AND BARONET, OF BIRMINGHAM AND LONDON

Edward Coley Burne Jones, son of Elizabeth (Coley) and Edward Richard Jones, was born 28 Aug 1833, at Birmingham. He was baptized 1 Jan 1834, at St. Philip's. Young Edward did not enjoy robust health during his formative years. As a youngster, his father would take him on outings to the Choyce farm at Wootton Wawen, where he would play with his young cousins, Benjamin Coley Choyce and Henry Charles Choyce. These cousins were the children of Amelia (Coley) and John Choyce, Jr. Their mother and Edward's mother were sisters.

Edward Coley Burne Jones recounted those memories in his later years. He described the visits as pleasant outings and considered them
to be some of the most memorable and enjoyable times of his childhood. He said he would amuse himself by drawing portraits of the family. It would be interesting to know whether some of his early sketches have survived the years.

Edward got off to a rather insecure start in life, both physically and emotionally, what with the early death of his mother, and the despondency suffered by his father. However, Edward did gradually improve in health under the loving care of his Aunt Keturah, a love which sustained him through his infancy and early childhood. By the time his physical strength improved, and his father's emotional stability was restored, Edward returned to live in his father's home.