Sarah May

c1804-1878

Sarah Rowles was born c1804 in Newbury and was the daughter of John and Lydia Rowles.

In 1815 Sarah was living at Be Yard East Side of Bartholomew Street with her parents John (55) and Lydia (51) and her siblings, Hester (14) William Nelson (9) and Joseph (7).

Sarah married George May in Thatcham on the 29^th May 1826 and they had two children, Ann born c1827 and Charles born c1828. Sarah’s husband George died c1830.

Sarah May married again on 4^th February 1833 at St Nicolas Church Newbury, her second husband was Henry May who was born c1804 in Middlesex.

Sarah and Henry had the following children:

Mary Ann born c1834 baptised 12th Jan 1834 at St Nicolas Church Newbury

Henry William born c1836 baptised 21^st Feb 1836 at St Nicolas Church Newbury

George born 1840

Sarah Ann born 1842

Twins James and Ellen born 1844 (Ellen died aged 2 in 1846)

In 1841 the family were living in Golding’s Yard Thatcham and Henry was working as a Butcher (he continued working in this profession his whole life).  By 1851 the family had moved Newbury (Taylor’s Yard) and by 1861 they were living in Bartholomew Street Newbury.

Sarah May died aged 74 in 1878 she was laid to rest on the 8^th January in the Newtown Road Cemetery.

In 1881 Henry and his daughter Mary Ann were still living in Bartholomew Street and Henry was still working.

Sarah and Henry ‘s daughter Mary Ann died aged 54 in 1886 and was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 22^nd March.

Henry died aged 85 on the 30^th October 1889 and was laid to rest in the Newtown Road Cemetery on the 4^th November.

Sources:as above