Information on James May / Elizabeth Searle

[amondg]

There must be two by the name of Edward May ..

Edward May of Lymington in the County of Southampton - Builder. Will written 4th March 1836 Probate 10 November 1838
Leaves everything to wife Elizabeth and after her death to be divided among his 5 children equally
William Sarah, Frances, Edward and Richard.

These children were baptized Lymington Sarah 1813 father Bricklayer , Frances 1818, Edward 1820, Richard 1822 father is listed as a Builder. (matches the will)
I've not found William yet but as he is mentioned first he is no doubt older than Sarah as he lists them in order of birth.

There is a Mary 1816 and Henry 1825 also his children they must have died prior to 1836 when the will was written.

ADDED
Mary was buried 3 April 1835 aged 19 at Lymington
Henry was buried 15 September 1826 aged 1 at Lymington

[amondg]

This must be the Edward May -Macj99 is looking for. (father of James)

26 February 1848 Berkshire Chronicle

February 6th -Easthampstead age 70 Mr. Edward May late Steward to the Marquis of Downshire, deeply regretted and highly respected for his uprightness and integrity.

[amondg]

The Marquis owned 115,000 acres in County Down Ireland plus the 5000 acres in Easthampstead Park Berkshire

Is it possible some of Edward May's children were born there

[trish1120]

Edward MAY married Elizabeth BARNES 15 Feb 1800 St Michael, Heckfield.

I think the Lymington couple are Edward MAY and Elizabeth REYNARD married 1804
Husband deceased in 1841 Census it looks to me.

Trish

[jonw65]

1841 has an Edward May occ Bailiff in Easthampstead born c 1776

Will of Edward May, Bailiff to the Most Honorable the Marquis of Downshire of Easthampstead, Berkshire
31 March 1848
PROB 11/2071/357
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D138393

Log in and download it for free on TNA website. Looks like piece number 2071 may be missing on ancestry

Does have a son James May.

[Macj99]

thank you, everyone. this all adds to the picture. Given that I cannot locate any birth/baptism records I wonder if records were made, lost, or destroyed.

[amondg]

Does the property in Berkshire have it's own private chapel?.
Servants/ employees would have attended church there and not the village/town church.

[jonw65]

Looking at the children named in Edward May's will, they include Sarah, the wife of William Gardiner.
They might be the couple in Wokingham in 1851
William Gardener 34 Grocer, born Berks Wokingham
Sarah Gardener 36, born Hants Heckfield
Children Susanna, 10, Sarah, 9, Wm Nelson, 7, John C, 5.

Birth registrations for all four children in Wokingham as Gardiner, mother May, i.e.
GARDINER, WILLIAM  NELSON     
Mother's Maiden Surname: MAY 
GRO Reference: 1844  J Quarter in WOKINGHAM UNION  Volume 06  Page 298

[amondg]

The will also mentions daughter Jane wife of John Hunt. 

They married 27 April 1828 St Giles Reading Berkshire

1851 census Heckfield
John Hunt 44 Gardner  born Heckfield
Jane 42 born Heckfield
John 18
Henry 15
Emma 10 born Lambourne Essex  (registered 1840 Ongar, mmn MAY)
Elizabeth 9  born Lambourne Essex
Arthur 6 born Wokingham (registered 1845 mmn MAY)

ADDED
other children from 1841
*Mary 12
Jane 11
Edward 10
---------------
Daughter Mary May is still single 1851 (daughter of Edward snr.) Sister to Jane.
Church Road farmer of 25 acres
Mary May 46 poss 44
Mary Hunt niece 22  (daughter of her sister Jane 1841 census) born Hagley Heath
Edward May nephew 21 -Carpenter born Easthamstead
Caroline Menehet 5 visitor born London
------------
Mary and Jane are the primary beneficiaries of the will.