William May (1816 - 1903)

Born 29 Aug 1816 in Warborough, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Died 10 Nov 1903 at age 87 in Ralphs Bay, Tasmania, Australia

Biography

William May came free to the Colony of South Australia (1836-1900)

William was born in 1816. He was the son of Joseph May and Hannah Morris. He passed away in 1903.

Obituary - 11 Nov 1903 WILLIAM MAY On the morning of the 10th instant there passed away from amongst us a man of that sturdy type of character which is not often met with Intelligent in forming an opinion, firm to a conviction when once he came to a decision, and fearless in carrying it out, such was William May, of Forest Hill, Sandford, who was born at Henley, in Oxfordshire, England, in 1816.
Descended from a long ancestry of Friends, he was educated in all things useful at the Friends School, Ackworth, and passed thence to his apprenticeship with Allen and Hanbury, chemists at Plough Court, London. The senior partner of this firm being greatly interested in all kinds of philanthropic work and legislation in connection therewith, his apprentice used frequently to be sent on errands to the House of Commons, and he was present on that memorable occasion when Benjamin Disraeli delivered his historic maiden speech.
In 1839 he emigrated with his father. Joseph May, and the other members of the family, to South Australia, and there engaged in pastoral and agricultural pursuits In 1871- he moved with his family to Tasmania and purchased from Alex McLeod a farm fronting in Frederick Henry Bay, near Sandford. Here he has resided over since, and has been known amongst his neighbours for the thoroughness and intelligence with which be managed his farm. He was one of the first to send apples to the London market, and his fruit was, so well grown, so evenly graded, and so carefully packed that it obtained top prices, and was occasionally purchased before arrival Though living in a some what secluded locality he was well read in the standard literature of the time, and he impressed upon his sons the duty of keeping themselves well informed in current scientific and religious thought.
In passing, it may be said that the sons have profited by the father's example one of them, W Lewis May, has the finest collection of Tasmanian shells out side of the Museum, and he assisted the late Professor Tate in bringing out a work on the marine molluscs of Australia. William May lived a quiet, unobtrusive life but by correspondence he gave many of his friends the benefit of his experience and mental training. For many years he took an active part in the business meetings of the Society of Friends, and until a few months ago was a member of the Friends' High School Committee. He married a daughter of the late Francis Cotton, of Kelvodon, Swanport, but has for many years been a widower. He leaves one daughter and their son, who all reside in the neighbourhood of the old home^[1]

Birth

England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8)

William May

Event Type Birth

Birth Date 29 Aug 1816

Birthplace Warborough, Oxfordshire

Father's Name Joseph May

Mother's Name Hannah May^[2]

Christening Date 29 Aug 1816

Christening Place Henley, Oxfordshire, England^[3]

Immigration

MAY Joseph, Hannah MORRIS, Fdk, Wm, Maria, Ed, Thos, Mgt, Joseph, Rachel Ann, Hannah Sophia, Eliz, Lucy arrived in SA 1839-09-20 aboard Anna Robertson from London 39-05-27^[4]

Marriage

Groom: William MAY

Bride: Mary COTTON

Marriage Date: 1856, February 06

Marriage Place: Friends Meeting House Mount Barker

Groom Marital Status: S

Groom Father:

Bride Marital Status: S

Bride Father Name:

District: Mount Barker

Symbol: A Book/Page: 25/293^[5]

Death

Burial

William May is buried in the Friends Burial Ground, Hobart ^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/12269978?searchTerm=%22william%20may%22&searchLimits=dateFrom=1903-01-01|||dateTo=1903-12-31
2. ↑ https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQDR-MQ7
3. ↑ https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NY9V-D3T
4. ↑ https://passengers.history.sa.gov.au/node/611566
5. ↑ https://www.genealogysa.org.au/
6. ↑ https://billiongraves.com/grave/William-May/20454455

• ANNA ROBERTSON 1839 from the BOUND FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA website. first accessed online on the 7th of August, 2021 at: https://bound-for-south-australia.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/1839AnnaRobertson.htm

• Passengers for 27/05/1839 - 20/09/1839. from the PASSENGERS IN HISTORY website. An initiative of the South Australian Maritime Museum. first accessed online on the 7th of August, 2021 at: https://passengers.history.sa.gov.au/voyage-passengers-all/945622/27/05/1839%20-%2020/09/1839?page=4

• Grave record for William May (Died: 10 Nov 1903), Billion Graves Record 20454455 Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. first accessed online on the 7th of August, 2021 at: https://billiongraves.com/grave/William-May/20454455