I recently acquired about 100 late victorian water colours - all according to the seller from the estate of Joseph Coleman who died in 1930 aged 74, he was variously described as a clerk, brass foundry manager who was born + bred in Birmingham; they would appear to have named their house 'Andreas';
From internal evidence the paintings cover early 1880's to c.1900 and show that a considerable time must have been spent on Island - none are dated nor any signed - there were it seems a few non-Manx paintings but the Manx ones formed the major component (?over 90%).
He had married Margret Higgins, in Feb 1881 in Birmingham, she was aged 26 and in 1881 born Douglas IoM and noted as a milliner, but on marriage cert gave a Manchester address - her father was noted as James Higgins deceased bootmaker - she died 1902 aged 48 - my own inclination is that she might have been the artist - several show some professional training (eg at art school)
There would appear to be no children to the marriage Margaret would appear to be daughter of James Higgins and a widow Margaret Melvin (her maiden name was not given) who married at Braddan in 1847 and had at least 2 children born on Island - Thomas and Margaret junr - both noted in Kk Braddan.
In 1851 census this family of 4 can be found in Chester - James a foundryman aged 31 born Ireland; by 1861 Margaret senr is widowed and has moved back to IoM working as a milliner in Church St Douglas + gives birth parish of Kk Michael, son Thomas is in household,
Margaret junr would appear to be a servant girl at Enemona (or Ennemona) farm - head of household Thomas Gawne (aged 39) + wife Margaret (?Margt Fitzgerald) - Enemona was a 75ac intack farm in Onchan near Begode - Gawne would appear to have been a tenant (a reasonably fast turnover of these is seen - Woods notes owner as - Orr
Margt Fitzgerald was with her sister Elizth a servant with Sarah Meldau (6 Prospect hill) in 1851
By 1871 Margaret Higgins junior is back with mother at 5 Strand street nd a milliner like her mother - son Thomas Higgins cannot be found nor can be be found in 1881 census
with the Higgins household in 1871 is boarder Margt Cunningham age 18 born Ramsey - she would appear to be d/o [Margt] Ann Kelly + Patrick Cunningham - Ann a widow age 34 in 1861, a young son born andreas whilst Ann + margt noted as born Ireland - there is a MI for Patrk
Returning to Margt Higgins senr - she cannot be found in 1881 but there is a burial of a 70yr old Margt Higgins in Braddan in 1876 (? age seems a little out) with a newspapaer note she was the 'wife' of James Higgins and aged 76 (this could easily be a misread 70)
I'm posting this in case any of the sleuths out there can suggest (a) Margt Higgins senr's maiden name, any possible Melvin (the name appears much later in Bride but not earlier other than burial of a James Melven age 3 in 1863 in grave 3442 in Braddan - ? could this be husb James with a misread burial entry ) or with the choice of workplace for Margt Higgins junr in 1861.