Richard May was second child of Elizabeth Agent & John May born at Hartfield, Sussex & christened March 23rd, 1806 at St Mary Magdalene, Cowden, Kent.
Richard (Mays) married Caroline Roser on November 2nd, 1828 at East Grinstead, Sussex. Caroline (Rozer) was born at Hartfield & christened on July 13th, 1806 at St Mary Magdalene, Cowden, Kent, the daughter of Elisabeth & John Rozer.
In 1841 Richard & Caroline were living at ‘part of Great Surreys’, East Grinstead. Richard was an agricultural labourer & he & Caroline had 4 children – Caroline (9), Richard (6), Elizabeth (3) & John (11 months). They were neighbours of Richard’s brother William, who was also living at ‘part of Great Surreys’ & Richard’s father John & brother George who were living at Woodies Cottage.
By 1851 Richard & Caroline were living at Box Cottage, Ashurstwood, East Grinstead, where Richard was now a tenant farmer of 20 acres. At home were children Richard, a servant, Charles (8), George (5) & Henry (2). Daughter Caroline was working as a laundress & at the time of the census was living with Sarah & James Cox & family at Cowden, Kent. Daughter Elizabeth was working as a house servant for James Agent, a woodman?, & his wife, at Shovelstrode Cottage, Ashurstwood, East Grinstead. Son John had also left home & was working as a farm boy for Ann & Mary Brooker at Goring Field, Forest Row, East Grinstead.
The family were still living at Box Cottage in 1861 where Richard was still farming & sons Charles, George & Henry were all farm labourers. They also had a daughter Maria (9) by this time. Also with them was a servant, Jane Roser, aged 40, Caroline's sister.
Caroline died in 1864, & was buried on March 24th at East Grinstead. During the inquest into daughter Maria's death in 1899, Maria's husband, Josiah Kendall stated that Maria's mother had for '2 years been kept in a straight waistcoat'!
The children of Richard Mays & Caroline Roser were:
m.2.1 Caroline Mays christened August 19th, 1832 at East Grinstead; died Oct-December 1890 at Lewes Sussex
m.2.2 Richard Mays christened October 19th, 1834 at East Grinstead; died 1910 at West Ham
m.2.3 Elizabeth Mays christened December 10th, 1837 at East Grinstead; buried October 21st, 1864 in East Grinstead
m. 2.4 John Mays christened July 12th, 1840 at East Grinstead
m.2.5 Charles Mays christened October 15th, 1843 at East Grinstead
m.2.6 George Mays christened February 15th, 1846 at East Grinstead; died 1930 in Edenbridge, Kent
m.2.7 Henry Mays christened June 4th, 1848 at East Grinstead; died June 11th, 1933 at 176 Ellerton Rd, Tolworth, Surbiton, Surrey
m.2.8 Maria Mays christened August 31st, 1851 at East Grinstead; died Jan-March 1899 in Wandsworth, London
Richard married again on May 9th, 1865 at St John's, Croydon, Surrey. His second wife was Mary Morris. Witnesses at the wedding were John Mays, Mary Mays & Ebenezer Whittaker. Mary was born c1831 at Maresfield, Sussex, the daughter of Hannah & John Morris, a draper.
In 1871 Richard & Mary were living at Box Farm & Richard was a farmer of 21 acres employing one boy. Children from his first marriage still with him were Henry & Maria. Richard & Mary had a 7 month old son William. Living nearby was Richard’s son George (25) with his wife Mary & 3 children.
By 1881 Richard & Mary had moved to Calver Cottage, Ashurstwood, East Grinstead & Richard was still described as a farmer. In addition to William, Richard & Mary now had a daughter Mary (8).
Richard was still farming in 1891, at the age of 85, at Calver Cottage! Son William was still living with his parents & described as ‘farmer’s son’.
Richard died on June 23rd, 1892, aged 86, at Culver Cottage, Ashurstwood. Probate was granted on September 2nd, 1892 to his widow Mary. His effects were £42.2s.11d.
Mary died on February 11th, 1898, aged 67, at Culver Cottage. Probate was granted on March 18th, to son William Mays, farmer, & daughter Mary Mays. Her effects were £363.
At the time of the 1901 census son William was still farming at Culver Cottage, Ashurst Wood, East Grinstead with his wife Sarah Ann (nee Baker) & son Richard (7). They continued to farm at Culver Cottage until at least 1911 with the help of their son Richard.
The children of Richard Mays & Mary Morris were:
m.2.9 Hannah Mays christened March 28th 1869 at Forest Row, East Grinstead,
died April-June, 1870 at East Grinstead
m.2.10 William Mays born July-September 1870 at Forest Row, East Grinstead; died March 1st, 1918 at Culvers Cottage, Ashurstwood, Sussex
m.2.11 Mary Mays christened March 30th, 1873 at Forest Row, East Grinstead