Laurence May

75

iain Frazier on 13th April 2026

Family connections for Laurence (May) are: MAY Laurence (May) was born about 1772. He was tried for breaking entering & stealing at Dublin city Ireland, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 26 9 1791 after a voyage of 5months on QUEEN. He had a first (1of3? relationshhip with Ann/e (Baker). He was flogged as an Irish Papist after suppressing evidence of robbery at (Arndell)s Parramatta residence. He was granted 30acres at Robinsons lagoon in 1800-when he was recorded as a miller at Windsor with 18acres. He was recorded in 1801 with 30acre grant at Green Hills. He farmed at Bardonarrang farm-which was later partly demolished by storms-& operated an Inn at Parramatta-which was later sold to pay for recovery of his farm. He was Free by Servitude by 1803.>>> [Some details taken from this Website] Ann/e (Baker) was tried for stealing clothes at probably Old Bailey, sentenced to 7years, held at Middlesex Gaol Delivery & arrived in NSW as a convict on 30 4 1796 after a voyage of 7months on INISPENSIBLE. She died on 6 1 1804 (not found in Smes records) from excessive drinking, originally thought to be by a violent attack, when she fell off a ladder. [Noted an Ann (Baker) is recorded as dying on 14 8 1810 age 25& buried at St Phillips CofE Sydney] [Some details taken from this Website] Laurence (May) & Ann (???) produced 2children: another ch who died? perhaps Martha, had been born in 1796 but must have died by 1804 1.Laurence (May) was born in 1798 & baptised on 11 2 1822 age about21 at St Marys RC Sydney. He was granted 60acres at Hawkesbury. On 15 3 1822 he shot at John (Smith), a neighbour, in a land dispute-he was charged with intent to kill, sentenced to Life at Port Macquarie, leaving in May 1822-in Feb 1824 he had permission to return to Sydney and be assigned as a convict. He was living at Parramatta when he married with permission Catherine (Flynn) on 5 4 1827 at St Marys RC Sydney. He was recorded in 1828 as farmer at Portland Head with Catherine. He died on 7 4 1840 age about41. ..Catherine (Fli/ynn) was born about 1803/5 in Cavan co, Ireland & became a country servant. She was tried for stealing money at Cavan Ireland in 1826, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 4 2 1827 after a voyage of 4months on BROTHERS; she was Catholic. She was issued her Certificate of Freedom on 15 8 1833. She was recorded in 1828 as farmer at Portland Head with Lawrence. ..[Some details taken from this Website] .. 2.Sarah (May) was born in 1803. She was perhaps cared for by a wetnurse-her future stepmother Elizabeth (Dowlinh). She married Robert (Cooper his third marriage) cooper of Sydney on 29 1 1822 at St Phillips CofE Sydney & produced at least 6children. She was Willed her husbands estate. She died on 6 11 1863 age about60. ..Robert (Cooper) was born on 15 5 1777 & became a dealer. He married firstly (1of3) Mary Ann (Cowley). He was tried w/6others for his part in recieving property, stolen about 8 7 1812, at Old Bailey, sentenced to 14years, held at London Gaol Delivery & arrived in NSW as a convict on 9 10 1813 after a voyage of 5months on EARL SPENCER. He became a merchant & distiller. He had a second (2of3) relationship with Elizabeth (???/Kelly) whom he married on 6 4 1818 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. In 1818 & 1819 he applied for spirit licences. He was a dealer & cooper Free by Servitude by 1822 in Sydney. He seems to have used the ship CAMPBELL MACQUARIE for trade between Sydney & Batavia Indonesia; he also traded in cedar & became an auctioneer. He was recorded as a shopkeeper in 1826, a distiller & dealer in 1827 & a distiller in 1829 & 1830. In about August 1828 he used his father in laws wheat farm for experimentaion in raising water 800' from the Hawkesbury River. He was manufacturing gunpowder in 1829. He was living at Paddington when he died on 25 7 1857 age80 father of 15children; his estate was Willed to his wife. ..Details of Robert (Cooper)s family are given in entry for Robert (Cooper EARL SPENCER 1813) on this Website. .. >>>Laurence (May) had a second (2of3?) relationship with Elizabeth (Dowling), perhaps a wet-nurse for his daughter Sarah. He had 18acres & was a miller at Windsor in 1800. He also farmed at Prospect, Concord & other places. He assisted his sister in law Winifred (Dowling) to sell or let the 30acre 'Fentons farm' at Prospect Hill in 1805 & again in 1807. His house at Bardo Narrang was blown awy by a 'cyclone' in November 1808. In 1809 he worked with brother in law Edward (Redmond) to sell 30acre 'McDonalds farm' at Hawkesbury. He had a racing chestnut gelding 'Tickle Toby’, which won him a lot of money & also caused him in 1813 to ask debtors to pay up. In 1815 he opened the Windsor horse flour-mill at Wilberforce & provided complimentary cartage from wharf to mill. He was falsely charged that he substituted inferior grain.>>> Eliza/beth (Dowling) was born about 1757. She was tried with her mother, sister & 2others for murder, about May 1798, of Mrs (Deane) associated with the Irish rebellion at Naas Spring Assizes Kildare co. about April 1801, probably sentenced to hanging commuted to Life & arrived in NSW as a convict with her sister on 7 7 1802 afer a voyage of 7months on ATLAS; her Ticket of Leave was issued semingly immediately-ie no indenture?. She was Free by Servitude by 1813. She may have been a wet-nurse employed to care for Laurence (May)s daughter Sarah. She had a relationship with Laurence (May his second (2of3?) relationship) & produced maybe 4children. Her Absolute Pardon was made void after the 1809 Rum Rebellion & reinstated in 1810. She was granted a Free Pardon on 29 2 1812&/or1815. She was recorded in 1822 with Absolute Pardon as wife of Laurence (May) at Pitt Town. [She was registered as a free settler in Tasmania in 1826; she was regularly fined for being drunk and disorderly & often sent to House of Corrections. In December 1828 she was charged with receiving stolen wheat at which time she was living with ??? (Spencer) at Pattersons Plains-she was sentenced to Hard Labour in the Female Factory at Hobart. She continued to be in & out of the Female Factory for being drunk & disorderly. She died on 19 9 1845 age 98.) However, an Elizabeth (Dowling) was a lunatic when she died on 29 10 1818 age61 & was buried at St Johns CofE Parramatta-stated as free. [Some details taken from this Website; where 2entries are found & the references to Tasmania seem to refer to another person] Laurence (May) & Elizabeth (Dowling) produced maybe 5children: mostly boys 1.Martha (May) was born in 1804. (a Martha (May) is recorded ss dying on 25 1 1805 age6-Smees records-& buried at St Johns CofE Parramatta). 2.Christopher (May) was born in 1805 at Windsor. He died on 16 11 1808 age3 at Green Head Hawkesbury by drowning after he fell into a rain-filledsawpit & was buried at St Johns CofE Parramatta. 3.Christopher Watkins (May) was born on 23 4 1813 & baptised on 29 8 1813 at St Matthews CofE Windsor. He gained fame by riding a velocipede down George Street, creating a public nuisance and being requested by Lieutenant Bell not to appear in public again. He died on 16 7 1900 age87 & was buried at Catholic cemetery Windsor. .. 4.John (May) was born in 1817. [Although his mother is said to be Risetta (???), Smees records clearly show the mother as Elizabeth (Dowling)] He died in 1838 age about21. .. 5.James (May) was born on 10 12 1820 at Pitt Town & baptised on 20 12 1820 at St Marys RC Sydney or on 27 10 1826 (Smees records) age5 at St Marys RC Sydney. [Smees records clearly show the mother as Elizabeth (Dowling)] He died on 6 8 1891 age70. .. >>>Laurence (May) married thirdly Risetta (??? her second relationship)-according to this Website. In 1819 a leg was amputated in Sydney after suffering friction for a long time while riding, but he carried on with fortitude-he became a pioneer irrigator along the Hawkesbury River. He was recorded in 1822 with Absolute Pardon as husband of Elizabeth (Dowling). In about August 1828 his wheat farm was used for experimentation, by son in law Robert (Cooper), in raising water 800' from the Hawkesbury River. He was recorded in 1828 as farmer at Pitt Town with Rosetta (May/Kite) & 2sons. He was issued an Absolute? Pardon in 1836. He died on 23 7 1837 age65 father of perhaps 7children; mostly boys. Risetta (???) is revealed in 1828 census to be Rosetta (Kite 1809 INDEFATIGABLE-actually INDISPENSIBLE). She was born about 1788. She is recorded in 1828 seemingly wife of Laurence (May) at Pitt Town with him & 2sons.>>> >>>Rose (Kite) was tried w/1other for stealing, on 20 6 1809, 6cotton handkerchiefs of William (Waugh) at Old Bailey on 13 7 1808, sentenced to 7years, held at Middlesex Gaol Delivery & arrived in NSW as a convict on 18 8 1809 after a voyage of 6.5months on INDISPENSIBLE. She had a first relationship with Edward/Henry (Treadaway/Tretheway his second relationship) & produced 1child. She died in November 1845 age57 mother of 3children (all boys)-drowned accidentally or on purpose at Grose's Wharf Darling Harbour Domain (she had had a troubled mind & had previously tied herself to a tree with her own shawl) she was declared to be about about 68years old & had worked as a dry-nurse.] [Some details taken from this Website; where 2entries are found] Laurence (May) & Risetta (???) produced perhaps 2children 1.John (May) was born in 1817. He is recorded in 1828 at Pitt Town with his father brother & Rosetta (Kite/May). He died on 13 9 1838 at Windsor age about21. [Although his mother is said to be Risetta (???), Smees records clearly show the mother as Elizabeth (Dowling)] .. 2.James (May) was born on 10 12 1820 at Pitt Town & baptised on 20 12 1820 at St Marys RC Sydney or on 27 10 1826 age5 at St Marys RC Sydney. He is recorded in 1828 with his father brother & Rosetta (Kite) at Pitt Town. He farmed in the Hawkesbury area. He married Caroline (???). He died on 6 8 1891 age70 & was buried at Catholic cemetery Windsor. He is recorded in 1828 at Pitt Town with his parents & brother. [Although his mother is said to be Risetta (???) Smees records clearly show the mother as Elizabeth (Dowling)] ..James (May) & Caroline (???) produced 8children: not necessarily in this order ..1.James Alfred (May) farmed in the Hawkesbury area. He was buried at Catholic cemetery Windsor. ..2.Herbert (May) ..3.Christopher Watkin (May) farmed in the Hawkesbury area. He was buried at Catholic cemetery Windsor. ..4.Jack (May) was buried at Catholic cemetery Windsor. ..5.Joshua (May) farmed in the Hawkesbury area. He was buried at Catholic cemetery Windsor. ..6.Tess (May) ..7.Sophie (May) ..8.Caroline (May) Reference: Craig James Smee 'Births and Baptisms Marriages and Defacto Relationships Deaths and Burials New South Wales 1788-1830' ..a complete listing from church & other records in the early colony.

342

Maureen Withey on 12th April 2026

An Extract from a letter to the Editor, published in the Sydney Monitor, 8 Sep 1828. … Mr. Lawrence May, a very old Settler on the Hawkesbury, under my directions, lately erected a pump on his farm within about 40 feet of the River. I sent up to him 800 feet of leaden pipe (two inch bore) and two forcing pumps. When I arrived at Mr. May's farm last week, I found the pipes laid from the river to Mr. May's crop of wheat. I erected the pumps within forty feet of the River, and for want of a reservoir I had to force the water 700 feet in order to reach Mr. May's wheat. As an experiment, however, this first attempt succeeded, and I am satisfied, that by means of a large artificial resorvoir, and a steam engine, pipes, and cocks, I can water the Hawkesbury as effectually, as the City and suburbs of London and Westminster are watered from the Thames and the New River. I intend going to Mr. May's in a day or two, to be an eye witness to the success of a second experiment which I have directed to be made. This second experiment is intended to do away with the forcing pumps, by means of a small temporary resorvoir. If I can water only one acre with this make shift reservoir and a hand pump to my satisfaction, I can water ten thousand acres by means of a steam engine &c with equal certainty. I shall see it next week. Seeing they say is believing; but I believe in my plan without seeing its effects. I only try this second experiment to make others believe. The Chief Magistrate of Windsor and Lady attended my first experiment and I believe that Gentlemen is perfectly convinced that my scheme will be as simple and certain in its effects, as it is rational in its theory. I am Mr. Editor, Yours &c. ROBERT COOPER.

342

Maureen Withey on 12th April 2026

We are extremely sorry to report the unhappy condition of an old and much respected Settler in this Colony, Mr. Lawrence May ; who was brought to Sydney in a caravan a fortnight since, his leg being in a state of mortification, proceeding from friction in riding, on a speek which was at first a mere pimple. Amputation of the limb, we are informed, must inevitably take place. Sydney Gazette, 27 Mar 1819.

221

D Wong on 1st November 2015

From: http://www.stmatthewswindsor.catholic.edu.au/SiteData/163/UserFiles/PublicationLinks/Pioneer Families In The Hawksbury.pdf Laurence May came from Dublin, and was sent out on the ‘Queen’ in 1791. He was flogged as an Irish Papist who had suppressed evidence in Court on the robbery at Arndell's Parramatta residence. By 1800, he had earned himself a 30 acre grant on Robinson's Lagoon and his farm flourished. In 1804, the coroner found that his wife, Anne, had died from excessive drinking and not by violence. May advertised for a wet-nurse for his baby daughter, Sarah. His son, Laurence, was five. In 1805, he married Elizabeth Dowling. The first child wandered off to perish in a rain-filled sawpit. The second son, Christopher, born April 1813, was later to cause a sensation by riding a velocipede down George Street, creating a public nuisance and being requested by Lieutenant Bell not to appear in public again. Storms had demolished part of May's Bardonarrang farm, and so May put his Parramatta inn up for sale. He held farms at Prospect and Concord, as well as others ‘down the river’, which were offered on clearing leases. May had a racing chestnut gelding, ‘Tickle Toby’, which won him a lot of money, and also caused him in 1813 to ask debtors to pay up. In 1815 he opened at Wilberforce the Windsor horse mill, a powerful mechanism for grinding flour, and provided complimentary cartage of grain from wharf to mill. A charge that he substituted inferior grain was found false. Laurance's third wife, Risetta, had 2 sons: John (1817-1838) and James (1820-1891). In 1819, May had to have his leg amputated, but his toughness and fortitude surprised the doctors. He returned home and continued to build his reputation as a man of vision, becoming a pioneer irrigator along the Hawkesbury River. James carried on farming in the Hawkesbury. He and his wife, Caroline, had 8 children - James Alfred, Herbert, Christopher Watkin, Jack, Joshua and daughters Tess, Sophie and Caroline. James May died on 6th August, 1891, and was buried with step-brother, Christopher, who died childless in 1890, in the Catholic cemetery at Windsor. James' sons, James Alfred, Christopher and Joshua carried on farming in the Hawkesbury district. James Alfred, Christopher, Joshua and Jack May are all buried in the Catholic cemetery and the Mays living in the district now are descendants of James Alfred, Christopher and Joshua May. (Information on Laurance May was provided by E. Harding)