May Annabel Hammond

May Anna Bell Midson was born in 1877 and married Herbert James Hammond at the home of the bride's parents "Chesterfield" Epping in 1906. After their marriage May and Bert Hammond settled in Manly and after their son was born moved to Thirroul where May played the organ in the Methodist Church. Herbert Hammond was a Mosaic Architect who was employed by a Sydney firm who were engaged in importing Italian marble. He was posted to Italy by his employers and May accompanied him to Italy for three or four years. May then returned to Australia and decided to remain. She moved her home to Terrigal and eventually purchased some holiday cottages. A keen reader, May was always surrounded by books and kept copious diaries of her various trips overseas. Becoming proficient in about seven languages, she taught English and French whilst in Italy and later taught various languages to private students at Terrigal.

Birth: reg.dist., Ryde reg.no., 20107/Ryde, NSW, Australia