James John Couch was born on 16th February 1826 in St. Just, Cornwall, he was baptised at Falmouth, Cornwall, on 26th July 1826; he was the son of James Couch, senior, 36yrs, and Ann, 25yrs, nee Penaluna, born in Truro, Cornwall. James had 4 siblings, Mary b.1833, William b.1834, John b.1837, and Thomas b.1842.
James joined the Royal Navy as an able seaman 1849 1857, and on 18th October 1851, he married Eliza Julyan, at Truro. They had 7 daughters over the following 20 years, Sarah b.1859, Eliza b.1861, Mary b.1863, Elizabeth b.1865, Rosa b,1867, Minnie b.1870, and Emily b.1872.
The family moved from Cornwall to Newhaven, Sussex, where in 1861, James was a coastguard.
By 1871 they had moved again, to Worthing, Sussex, living in the Coastguard Cottages, and then in Brunswick Road, before their final move to Milton Street.
James was widowed when Eliza died on 27th December 1889, aged 62yrs, and his unmarried daughter, Mary, became his housekeeper. James had retired from his coastguard career and set up his own business hiring out bathchairs for invalids using the adjacent Worthing Bath House in Heene Road. He continued this business working from home in Milton Street until his death on 13th April 1904, aged 79yrs.
Probate was granted to Mary and Rosa Couch, spinsters, effects £1194 16s 9d. Value 2022 - £154K.