James is the son of William Lawley, also a Collier.
James was a coal miner in Little Neston. The Ness and Little Neston mines closed by 1855 after the silting of the Dee Estuary made it difficult to move coal in bulk. James had to move elsewhere to find work.
In 1852, James (33, widower) a collier of Neston married Elizabeth Lewis (22) of Ness.
In 1871, James and Elizabeth (51 & 39) are in Rainford with Joseph, James and John Lawley (lodgers) and Richard and Richard Lewis (37 & 11, assumed father and son).
In 1881, James and Elizabeth (62 & 49) are in Little Neston with John (18) and Elizabeth (11)
In 1891, James and Elizabeth (66 & 54) are in Little Neston (both born Ness)
Neston Colliery reopen in 1874 after the building of a new railway line.