May Bray Allder

1877-1946

May Bray Brickell was born in on the 28^th April 1877 in Hanover Square London. She was baptised on the 29^th July 1877 in Hanover Square, the daughter of Henry (a Coachman) and Catherine Brickell (nee Jowers) who were married on the 11^th April 1871 at St Peter, Eaton Square, Pimlico, Middlesex (as William Henry Brickell and Catherine Bray Jowers).

May’s father William Henry (aka Henry) was baptised on the 18^th July 1840 at St John the Baptist, Frome, Somerset, the son of Alfred Brickle and Jane Brickell (nee Beachim/Beacham) who were married on the 6^th August 1838 in Marston, Somerset. He died on the 4^th January 1902 in Highclere, Hampshire.

Her mother Catherine was baptised on the 27^th June 1843 in Poundstock, Cornwall, the illegitimate daughter of Eve Bray. Eve was baptised on the 8^th May 1825 in Poundstock as Eve Grace Bray, the daughter of Stephen and Jane Bray (nee Sangwin/Sangnin) who were married on the 10^th April 1808 in Poundstock. She married (as Grace) James Jowers (a Private in the Royal Marines) on the 1^st August 1849 at Old Brompton, Holy Trinity, Kent. Catherine was then known as Catherine Bray Jowers.

William Henry and Catherine also had the following children:
Rosa Jane c1872 in Ipswich

Alfred 1873 in Highclere

Florence Grace 1874 in Highclere (aka Grace)

George c1879 in Highclere

The 1881 census records William Henry (40) as Head Coachman at Highclere Castle, Hampshire. Catherine (37) and her children Rosa (9), May (3) and George (2) were recorded living in Bruton Mews, St George, Hanover Square, London. Alfred (7) was recorded as a visitor at Highclere Castle and Grace (6) was recorded living with her grandparents Eve Grace Jowers (55) and James Jowers (63), a Gardener, at The Lake, Highclere.

In 1891 Henry (50) was recorded as a Coachman/Domestic Servant living at Coachman’s House, Highclere Castle, Highclere with Catherine (47), Rosa (19), a Lady’s Maid, Grace (16), a Dressmaker, May (13) and George (12).

The 1901 census records May (23), as a Dressmaker and her brother George (22), as a Clerk, living at 9 Bruton Mews, St George, Hanover Square.

May married in 1903

Marriage details:

Place: Christ Church, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Date: 16^th October 1903

Groom: Ralph Allder, aged 40, bachelor, occupation, Engraver

Bride: May Bray Brickell, aged 26, spinster

Fathers: Ralph Allder, a Game Dealer Poulterer and Henry Brickell, a Coachman

Witnesses: Reuben Ball and Rosa Brickell

(Ralph was born on the 6^th April 1863 in Newbury, Berkshire, he was baptised on the 19^th February 1864 at St Nicolas Church Newbury, the son of Ralph (a Poulterer) and Mary Anne Alder (nee Callis) who were married on the 26^th May 1851 at St Nicolas Church Newbury.)

Ralph and May had two children: Rosa May born 1904, (died aged 21 days, buried in the NRC on the 14^th July 1904) and Ralph born on the 6^th January 1910.

The 1911 census records Ralph (47) as an Engraver & Naturalist, May (33) and their son Ralph (1) living at 133 Bartholomew Street, Newbury.

They continued to live at 133 Bartholomew Street until at least 1929, by 1932 they were living at 23 Buckingham Road Newbury

The 1939 Register records Ralph as a Retired Furrier living at 23 Buckingham Road, Newbury, Berkshire with May and their son Ralph, a Bank Clerk.

May died aged 68 on the 11^th January 1946, she was buried in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 16^th January.

Ralph died aged 83 on the 2^nd March 1947 at the Oak Lodge Nursing Home, Andover Road, Newbury, he was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 6^th March.

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