Thomas H. May[1]
was born on 2 January 1847,[1][2]
in Pennsylvania.[1][3]
He was baptized in a church at Llewellyn, Pennsylvania.
His mother died when he was very young.
[2]
When Lee invaded Pennsylvania in 1863, he served in company E of the 53rd Pennsylvania Militia Infantry.[4] He enlisted on 4 July 1863, and was discharged on 8 August 1863.[5][6]
pvt Thomas May served in the United States Civil War. Enlisted: 25 Feb 1864 Mustered out: 23 Aug 1865 Side: USA Regiment(s): 7th Regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry
He enlisted in company F of the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry on 25 February 1864. He was discharged on 23 August 1865, when his company mustered out.[7][8]
According to his obituary, he received recognition for valor.
[6]
On 12 [?] July 1869, he married Mary Williams, at Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
[9]
They reportedly had ten[10] or eleven[11] children, including:[9]
(Oddly, when he listed his living children for the Pension Bureau in 1889, he did not mention Elizabeth.[9])
In 1870, Thomas and Mary were living in Mahanoy Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, with their daughter Lizzie.
Thomas was a miner.
[3]
In 1880, Thomas and Mary were living in West Mahanoy Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, with their children Lizzie, David, Mill, and Isaac.
Thomas was a miner, but had been unemployed for three months.
[12]
In 1890, Thomas was living in Shaft, West Mahanoy Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
He had rheumatism because of his service.
[8]
On 29 July 1890, he applied for an invalid pension based on his service in the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, which he received.
[13][4]
In 1900, Thomas and Mary were living in William Penn village, West Mahanoy Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, with their children Isaac, Charles, and Harry.
Thomas was a day laborer, and had been unemployed for ten months.
Isaac was a laborer at a coal mine, and had been unemployed for two months; Charles was a day laborer, and had been unemployed 0 months; Harry was a laborer at a coal mine, and had been unemployed for ten months.
[11]
In 1910, Thomas and Mary were living in Shaft, West Mahanoy Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, with their children Charles and Harry, and a boarder.
Thomas was a mail carrier, from the train to the post office.
He had been out of work for 10 [?] weeks in 1909.
Charles was a house carpenter, and had been out of work 0 weeks in 1909; Harry was a laborer in a coal mine, was out of work on 15 April, and had been out of work for 13 weeks in 1909.
[10]
On 26 February 1914, his wife, Mary, died.
On 1 March, she was buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
[14][15][16]
In 1920, Thomas was living with his daughter Lizzie and her family, at 22 Main Street, East William Penn, West Mahanoy Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
He was retired.
Thomas's son Charles was also living with them; he was a house carpenter.
[17]
In 1930, Thomas was living with his daughter Elizabeth and her family, at 18 Main Street, Shaft, West Mahanoy Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
He was not working.
His son Charles was also living with them; he was a steward at the Moose Hall.
[18]
On 11 June 1932, he died shortly before noon, at his daughter Elizabeth's house, in William Penn, West Mahanoy Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
He died of uremia and debility, with exhaustion contributing.
On 14 June, he was buried in Odd Fellows' Cemetery, Shenandoah, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
[1][6][19][4]
'In the Matter of the Claim for Pensiob of Thomas H. May, Company F, 7th Regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry.
'State of Pennsylvania County of Schuylkill ss
'Before me, the subscrsiber, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the said County, personally appeared Thomas H. May, who being duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say:
'That he is 66 years of age; That he was born January 2nd 1847; That there is no family record of his birth, his mother having died when he was quite young and his father in 1865 while deponent was in the war; That the Church where deponent was baptized at Llewellyn, Pa., was destroyed by fire sometime during the war; That the records were destroyed including records of the birth of deponent; That therefore, deponent is unable to furnish any of the records required but has to depend upon his memory as to his age. He says that he was about seventeen years of age when he enlisted and that he was just a little over eighteen years when discharged.
'Thomas H. May
'Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 12th day of May, A.D. 1913.
'[illegible signature] JUSTICE OF THE PEACE ...'
↑ 3.03.1
1870 U.S. census, Mahanoy Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, p. 477 verso stamped = p. 180 penned, family 1232; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DYL3-99J : accessed 25 July 2022).
Thomas H May, 23, male, white, miner, born Pennsylvania, parents foreign born, male citizen eligible to vote
Mary ", 20, female, white, keeping house, born Pennsylvania, parents foreign born
Lizzie ", 2, female, white, born Pennsylvania
↑ 4.04.14.2
'Organization Index to Pension Files of Veterans Who Served Between 1861 and 1900', Thomas H. May (F 7 Pa Cav); image copy, Fold3 (https://www.fold3.com/image/21688248 : accessed 25 July 2022).
Thomas H May
co. F, 7th Reg't Pa Cav
invalid 29 July 1890, application 837788, law J, certificate 874394
'Served Under General Sherman and Was Given Recognition For Bravery.
'FULL MILITARY FUNERAL
'Thomas H. May, 85, one of two remaining survivors of the Grand Army of the Republis [sic] in the immediate vicinity, answered the final roll call on Saturday, shortly before the noon hour. Death resulted from complications incidental to advanced years. His demise occurred at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Frank Mumey, of Wm. Penn.
'This grand old man of '61 was widely known and highly esteemed by countless friends throughout the region. He had been a resident of Wm. Penn for over sixty years. Private May answered his country's call on July 4, 1863, enlisting in Company E, 53rd Regiment, P.S.V., being discharged from Company E, August 8, 1863. Again he joined the banner of the Stars and Stripes, enlisting in Company F, Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, February 26, 1864, and was discharged at the end of the Civil war in August of 1865. Soldier May served under General Sherman in the march from Atlanta to the sea. He took part in a number of skirmishes, being recognized for valor under fire.
'A true soldier, Mr. May was a man of noble attributes, and possessed of a genial disposition acquired the friendship of many friends. Despite his advanced years, he was exceedingly active around his home and found much enjoyment in associating with his neighbors and friends. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
'Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Mummey; three sons, Isaac and Charles, Wm. Penn; Harry, of Hazleton; one sister, Mrs. Johanna Bowman, Delano; one brother, William May, of Lost Creek.
'Funeral military honors will be accorded the deceased veteran at funeral services which will be held tomorrow afternoon. Interment will be made in the Odd Fellows' cemetery.
'May, Thomas H do [sc. Pvt] [mustered in] Feb. 25 '64 [for] 3 [years] Mustered out with company, August 23, 1865.'
↑ 8.08.1
1890 U.S. census, West Mahanoy Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, veterans schedule, enumeration district 199, p.1, family 28; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-R9SZ-FM : accessed 25 July 2022).
Thomas H. May, private, F 7 Pa Cav, 26 Feb 1864 to 25 Sep 1865 (1 years, 9 months, x days), post office Shaft, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, rheumatic from service
Thomas H. May, Shaft, Pa, co. F 7th Regt Pa Vol Cav
married to Mary Williams on 12 [?] July 1869, at Pottsville, Pennsylvania, by Rev William Morgan
not previously married
living children: Isaac May, born 27 [?] January 1880, Charles May born 17 Oct 1882, Harry M May born 4 May 1889 [Lizzie is not listed]
replied 26 August 1889
↑ 10.010.1
1910 U.S. census, Shaft village, West Mahanoy Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, enumeration district 110, p. 217 B stamped = sheet 13 B penned, family 220; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRKH-G7B : accessed 25 July 2022).
owned, free, house
head Thomas May, male, white, 63, married once 41 years, born Pennsylvania, mail carrier, Train to P.O., , not out of work 15 April, out of work 10 [?] weeks in 1909, served in Union Army
wife Mary -, female, white, 60, married once 41 years, 10 children, 4 living, born Pennsylvania, no occupation
son Charles -, male, white, 27, single, born Pennsylvania, house carpenter, not out of work 15 April, out of work 0 weeks in 1909
son Harry -, male, white, 20, single, born Pennsylvania, laborer, coal mine, out of work 15 April, out of work 13 weeks in 1909
boarder Roy Hafner, male, white, 21, married once, 2 years, born Pennsylvania, laborer, coal mine, not out of work 15 April, out of work 6 weeks in 1909
↑ 11.011.1
1900 U.S. census, William Penn village, West Mahanoy Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, enumeration district 218, p. 140 A stamped = sheet 1 B penned, family 20; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6W23-JG : accessed 25 July 2022).
owned free house
head Thomas May, white, male, Jan 1847, 53, married 31 years, born Pennsylvania, parents born England, day laborer, 10 months unemployed
wife Mary -, white, female, May 1850, 50, married 31 years, 11 children, 4 living, born Pennsylvania, parents born Wales
son Isaac -, white, male, Jan 1880, 20, single, born Pennsylvania, laborer coal mine, 2 months unemployed
son Charles -, white, male, Oct 1882, 17, single, born Pennsylvania, day laborer, 0 months unemployed
son Harry -, white, male, May 1889, 11, single, born Pennsylvania, laborer coal mine, 10 months unemployed
↑
1880 U.S. census, West Mahanoy, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, enumeration district 246, p. 305 D stamped = p. 36 D penned, family 320; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYBL-93FQ : accessed 25 July 2022).
T. H. May, white, male, 31, married, mining, 3 months unemployed, born Pennsylvania
wife Mary -, white, female, 28, married, keeping house, born Pennsylvania
daughter Lizzie -, white, female, 11, single, at home, attended school, born Pennsylvania
son David J -, white, ,male, 4, single, born Pennsylvania
son Mill J -, white, male, 2, single, born Pennsylvania
son Isaac -, white, male, 1/3, born Feb, single, born Pennsylvania
'Mrs. Mary W. May, wife of Health Officer Thomas May, of Wm. Penn, died at 2:30 o'clock this morning after a long illness of great suffering. She was confined to her bed since last March and physicians did all that could be done to stay the progress of her disease, but could give only temporary relief. She was born at Donaldson, May 5, 1950, and was married 45 [?] years ago, and was a resident of Wm. Penn 47 years. Sturdy in health and cheerful in disposition, she was a friend to all who knew her, especially the sick and needy. Her deeds of charity and services to the sick were numerous and constant and cause her decease to be mourned my [sic] a host of friends. Besides her husband she leaves one daughter and three sons: Mrs. Frank Mummey, Isaac and Harry of W. Penn, and Charles of Newark, N. J. Also one sister, Mrs. Ann Waters, of St. Clair. The funeral will take place at 1:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon from her late residence in Wm. Penn and will be conducted by the Rev. W. A. Smith, of the Methodist Church. Interment will be made in the Odd Fellows' cemetery, town.'
↑
'Mary Williams May', memorial 42993234, created by Ray Fincham, 12 October 2009; database, Find A Grave (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42993234/mary-may : accessed 25 July 2022; citing Odd Fellows Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
inscription on pictured stone: 'MOTHER MARY WIFE OF T. H. MAY MAY 26 1850 FEB. 26 1914 AGE 64 YRS.'
↑
1920 U.S. census, East Wm Penn, West Mahanoy Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, enumeration district 153, p. 254 A stamped = sheet 2 A penned, family 27; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RXK-Q4C : accessed 23 July 2022).
22 Main Street, owned, free of mortgage
head Frank Mummy, male, white, 56, married, born Pennsylvania, stable boss, W. Penn Colliery
wife Lizzie -, female, white, 50, married, born Pennsylvania, housekeeper
step-son Thomas Grow, male, white, 21, single, born Pennsylvania, laborer, coal breaker
son Harry Mummy, male, white, 11, single, attended school, born Pennsylvania, at school
daughter Mabel -, female, white, 9, single, attended school, born Pennsylvania, at school
boarder George Stone, male, white, 68, widowed, born Pennsylvania, at school, laborer, coal breaker
father-in-law Thomas May, male, white, 73, widowed, born Pennsylvania, retired
son [sic] Charles -, male, white, 36, single, born Pennsylvania, carpenter, house
↑
1930 U.S. census, Shaft #1 and #2, West Mahanoy Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, enumeration district 148, p. 214 A stamped = sheet 2 A penned, family 27; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9R8Q-5FJ : accessed 25 July 2022).
18 Main Street, owned, worth $1800
head Frank Muney, male, white, 64, married first at 46, laborer, coal mine, actually at work last working day, not a US veteran
wife Elizabeth -, female, white, 60, married first at 44, no occupation
son Harry M -, male, white, 21, single, laborer, coal mine, actually at work last working day
daughter Mabel I -, female, white, 19, single, no occuption
father-in-law Thomas May, male, white, 82, widowed, no occuption, US veteran of Civil war
brother-in-law Charles -, male, white, 40, single, steward, Moose Hall, actually at work last working day, not a US veteran
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