Mary May

Warning

• The name of the first wife of John1 May is unknown.
• On June 18, 1651, John lost his unnamed first wife by death and Rev. John Eliot records that "Sister Mayes dyed, a very gratious and savoury christian."
• The only information we have on her is her death date: "In 1641 we have record of his membership in the church of which John Eliot, 'the Apostle" was pastor....."The wife who came from England with him had died in 1651, as Eliot records with a high tribute to her character, and he had married again.."..... "This day died sister Mayes a very gracious and savaoury Christian." (Genealogy of the Descendants of John May. 1878. pp iv & v)
• Some internet trees show her as Mary Gutsoll but there is nothing to prove this.

Summary

• born c1591 his origin and parents are unknown
• Married John1 May by about 1630 with whom she has sons John and Samuel. She died in 1651.
• John1 May married second Sarah ___ about 1652
• Arrived by 1641
• Children: John and Samuel
• Death 1641Roxbury, MA
• The best treatment of John May can be found in Dawes-Gates Ancestral Lines 1:413

Church

JOHN MAY, born about 1590, emigrated from England with his unamed wife and their two sons by or before 1640. John died on April 28, 1670, four days after making this nuncupative will, being "aged about eighty"

"In 1641 we have record of his membership in the church of which John Eliot, 'the Apostle" was pastor....."The wife who came from England with him had died in 1651, as Eliot records with a high tribute to her character, and he had married again.."..... "This day died sister Mayes a very gracious and savaoury Christian.«/i»" (Genealogy of the Descendants of John May. 1878. pp iv & v)

Sources

1. John May, in Ferris, Mary Walton. Dawes-Gates Ancestral Lines: A Memorial Volume Containing the American Ancestry of Rufus R. Dawes; and A Memorial Volume Containing the American Ancestry of Mary Beman (Gates) Dawes. (Milwaukee, WI: Cuneo Press, 1931-1943), 1:414, JOHN MAY, born about 1590, emigrated from England with his unamed wife and their two sons by or before 1640. John died on April 28, 1670, four days after making this nuncupative will, being "aged about eighty". link
2. The American Genealogist (1981) 57:174 link
3. Deaths, in Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States. Vital Records of Roxbury, Massachusetts, to the End of the Year 1849. (Salem, Massachusetts: Essex Institute, 1925-1926), v.2 p.591. MAYS, John [May. C.R.1. = First Religious Society (Unitarian)], sr., [died] Apr. 28, 1670 [a. abt. 80y. C.R.1.]
4. Roberts Gary Boyd. Notable Kin, Volume One: Carl Boyer, 3rd; Location: Santa Clarita, California; Date: 1998.
5. Torrey 2:1017 1631 Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States MAY, John (1590-1670) & 1/wf ____ ____ (-18 Jun 1651); by 1631; Roxbury {May 9; Paine (,5) 93; Morris 22; Treat 279; Morris-Converse 35; Dawes-Gates 1:412+}
6. Torrey 2:1017 1631 Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States MAY, John (1590-1670) & 2/wf Sarah ____ (-1671); aft 8 Jun 1651, bef 29 Apr 1660; Roxbury {Roxbury Cem. Rec. 84; May 1; Paine (,5) 93; Morris-Converse 35; Morris 22; Seeley-Vail 134; Brewer; Reg. 48:460}
7. Vital Records of Roxbury, Massachusetts, to the End of the Year 1849. (Salem, Massachusetts: Essex Institute, 1925-1926), v.2 p.591. MAYS, John [May. C.R.1. = First Religious Society (Unitarian)], sr., [died] Apr. 28, 1670 [a. abt. 80y. C.R.1.]