John May was first child of Elizabeth A(r)gent & John May christened January 11th, 1804 at Cowden, Kent.
John (Mayes) married Mary Marchant on April 12th, 1830 at St Nicholas, Godstone, Surrey. Witnesses at the wedding were Thomas & Ann Marchant. Mary was christened June 8th, 1806 at East Grinstead, Sussex, the daughter of Ann & James Marchant.
They moved to Croydon, Surrey where their first child Mary Ann was born in 1830.
John & Mary were living in Union St, Croydon in 1841 & John was an agricultural labourer. Children at home were Mary (9), Elizabeth (7), William (5) & Harriett (2).
In 1851 John & Mary were living at 11 Smiths Yard, Croydon & John was a horse keeper. They had 4 children at home – William (15), Harriett (12), Eliza (9) & Thomas (5).
At the time of the marriage of daughter Mary in December 1852 John was described as a labourer.
By 1861 John & Mary were living at 8 Hand Cross Alley, Croydon & John was described as a groom. Only son Thomas was still at home who was a carriage painter. They also had 2 lodgers.
John, aged 64, committed suicide in March 1868. He was discovered hanging in a stable in Addiscombe Rd. The body was taken to his home in Hand Cross Alley. John had worked for 30 years for Mr Inkpen, a stage coach & omnibus proprietor but had recently been employed only in the stables. (Norwood News of March 28th, 1868) He was buried on April 1st, 1868 at St John’s, Croydon, Surrey.
In 1871 widow Mary is living at 43 Mitcham Rd, Croydon where she is noted as visiting widower Richard Knight, a 72 year old builder.
By 1881 Mary is recorded as living at 18 Little Almshouses, Croydon.
Mary was still living at the Almshouses in Church St in 1891 at the age of 85.
Mary died at the age of 92 in April-June 1898 at Croydon, Surrey.
The children of John May & Mary Marchant were:
m.1.1 Mary Ann Mays born c1830
at Croydon; died February 13th, 1911 at 71 Redfern St, Sydney, Australia
m.1.2. Elizabeth Mays christened
May 5th, 1833 at St John the Baptist, Croydon; died Jan-March 1917 at Croydon
m.1.3. William Mays christened May 1st, 1836 at St John the Baptist, Croydon
m.1.4. Harriet Mays
christened September 29th, 1839 at St John the Baptist, Croydon; buried March 22nd,1911 at St Martin's, Dorking, Surrey
m1..5. Eliza Mays christened July 24th, 1842 at St John the Baptist, Croydon; died April-June 1905 in Croydon
m.1.6. Thomas Mays born January 26th,
1845 & christened June 20th 1847 at St John the Baptist, Croydon