Married: 

Died: 22 Apr 1909 at 83 (122) Cunnungham St .Carlton

Father: John Frencham

Mother: Elizabeth Watchorn

John May along with his brother Samuel and Samuel's wife Margaret, arrived in Port Phillip, Melbourne 1841 as per the ship “Diamond” the ship’s indent says he was a Native of Co. Meath. but we know he was born Ballabay Co. Moynaham Ireland. He departed Ireland from Nanyan, a market town on the River Boyne Bounty paid 19 pounds Jonothan Ware of Melbourne. Amongst his posessions was this document.A character reference written

John May having asked me to supply information of his character, as he is about to try his fortune in Australia. I am glad to say that Cannot decipher folowing four words..... ...... ...... ........ that from his boyhood and that he has always conducted himself respectively as an honest, sober and active young man, I believe him to be of moral

After settling in Melbourne John May followed several professions Shoe manufacturer, a stone mason , Builder and Architect.

John May married Frances Frencham at the residence of the Minister of Independent Church Melbourne, Alexandra Morrison on 27 Sep 1845 in the presence of William Frencham & Henry Frencham.

Frances , aged 22 years arrived in Melbourne on the ship “Alberton” 22 September 1844 . Bounty immigrants, eighteen pounds and fourteen shillings. She was in the company of her brother William Frencham aged 29 Labourer of Cork Ireland who could read and write and sister in law, Martha Frencham of Wexford Co Wexford Ireland, who could also read and write. They joined their siblings Henry, Josiah and Thomas.

In his Will he the " Great Western " Hotel King Street Melbourne and Cottage adjoining to sons John William May and Albert May. His daughter Frances Copperthwaite inherited the house in Northcote after the death of her mother. His eldest son William Henry May was cut from the will and all contact with his father because he married a Catholic girl Margaret Lynch.

His residence which he designed and built "Mayville” 122 (today 85) Cunningham Street Northcote was built c. 1850 a handsome blue stone , slate roofed double fronted building .The dwelling is located on the hill overlooking the Merri Creek. Today the original layout of five main rooms remains intact, with a wealth of period fittings including two marble fire places, three rose wood mantles , original Baltic pine floors, our meter high ceilings as well as a cellar ( Seen from the front left hand side of Cunningham Street.) There has been a recent addition of two rear living areas.

Frances Anne May daughter and her husband William Charles Copperthwait took over the house in about 1886, The house was then passed on to their daughter Anne Copperthwait and her husband Karl Wittenback . It was sold in 1960 for five thousand pounds.

William Akers (production director and lighting designer to the Australian Ballet) acquired the property and added antique Italian hand carved light fittings from the old Sydney Theater Royal. The property was sold in May 1994 for Three hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

CHILDREN

Marriage: 5 Jul 1871 Place: St Patrick's Melbourne Victoria

Marriage: 1891 Place: Melbourne

Marriage: 1877 Place: Victoria

Birth: 1860 Place: Northcote Melbourne Vic Aus 1860

Marriage: 1 Mar 1884 Place: Victoria

Marriage: 15 Oct 1886 Place: Northcote Vic

Marriage: 1874 Place: Melbourne 1874 

Marriage: 1888 Place: Melbourne

Marriage: 1883 Place: Melbourne 1883