Christiana (Brinley) May (abt. 1750 - 1831)

Born about 1750 in Appledore, Devon, England

Wife of John May — married 17 Nov 1778 in St Peter, Barnstaple, Devon, England

Descendants

Died Jul 1831 at about age 81 in Stepney, Middlesex, England

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Biography

Christiana was born to Joseph Brinley and Hannah Short around 1750 at Appledore, Devon. A birth registration for her doesn't exist. Her family were non-conformists, and dissenter records were patchy around this time at Appledore and other non-conformist chapels. Her parents died soon after her birth, leaving her and her siblings as orphans^[1]. The children were probably placed with family. Christiana's maternal uncle, Reverend John Short, was very wealthy, so they were probably well cared for^[2].

She was living at Barum (Barnstaple) by 1778 and married John May on 17 November 1778 at the Barnstaple Anglican Church – St Peter^[3]. They settled at Barnstaple and John worked as a mason. This most likely meant he worked in construction in an occupation such as stonemason, brick mason, setter, layer etc. There was a period of building and expansion at Barnstaple in the 1700s, so John’s skills would have been in high demand.

Christiana and John were non-conformists. They attended services at the Cross Street Independent Chapel at Devon. They had five children, all baptised at the Cross Street Independent Chapel. John May (later Short), Joseph Brinley May, William May, Nicholas May (died as an infant), and Nicholas May.

Christiana received money from various family members in their wills. Her Uncle Reverend John Short left her an annuity of £2 per annum, her spinster sister Hannah left 'all tables spoons marked HB and her teaspoons', and her son John left her an annual payment^[4].

John's death is unknown, but Christiana moved from Barnstaple to live with their son Nicholas at 1 Albion Terrace, Stepney. Nicholas was wealthy and Christiana would have been well taken care of. She died at his house in July 1831 and was buried at St Botolph Without Bishopsgate Church Yard on 18 July 1831^[5].

Sources

1. ↑ Burial of Joseph Brinley, buried 2 October 1750, South West Heritage Trust, Archive reference 1843A/PR/1/8, Devon Burials, © Findmypast; Burial of Hannah Brinley, buried 10 October 1751, South West Heritage Trust, Archive reference 1843A/PR/1/8, Devon Burials, © Findmypast
2. ↑ Probate of The Reverend John Short, England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, Ancestry.com
3. ↑ Marriage registration of John May and Christiana Brinley, married 17 Nov 1778, Barnstaple Parish Registers 1538-1812, The Genealogist
4. ↑ Probate of The Reverend John Short, probate date 19 Oct 1801, England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, Ancestry.com; Probate of Hannah Brinley, probate date 2 Jan 1822, England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, Ancestry.com; Probate of John Brinley, probate date 3 Feb 1820, England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858, Ancestry.com
5. ↑ Burial of John May, buried on 18 July 1831, Greater London Burial Index, City of London Burials 1754-1855, Archive reference GL Mss 4521/1-4, Find My Past, copyright John Hanson and Monnica Stevens