Biographical Sketch of Robert MAY and Descendents (1881); Chester County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Diana Quinones [audianaq@msn.com] Copyright. All Rights Reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************* Futhey and Cope BIO - Robert MAY and Descendents - from pp 625-680 MAY, ROBERT, was a resident of Maryland, where, May 17, 1724, he married Elizabeth, daughter of James Brooke. They had nine children. He died Dec. 26, 1749. Robert May (2), youngest son of Robert and Elizabeth (Brooke) May, was born Feb. 4, 1749–50 (O.S.), forty days after the death of his father. He married, first, Rebecca Grace, daughter of Thomas and Anna (Nutt) Potts, on Feb. 16, 1786. She was born at Coventry, Chester Co., July 5, 1760, and died July 30, 1789. He owned and carried on the iron-works at the Head of Elk, Md., where he resided until after the death of his wife Rebecca, when he removed to Coventry, Chester Co. He married, second, Ruth Potts, a sister of his first wife, on March 28, 1792. She was born Sept. 6, 1768, and died Jan. 17, 1820. He had two children by his first wife— Eliza and Rebecca Grace— and seven by his second wife,— Thomas Potts, Robert, Anna Nutt, James (died in infancy), James (the second so named), Newton, and Addison. After he settled in Chester County he became one of the most extensive iron- masters in Pennsylvania. He carried on Coventry Forge, and, in conjunction with Col. Thomas Bull and John Smith, he owned and carried on Joanna Furnace, in Berks County. He also owned in severalty Gibraltar Forge, on the Schuylkill, between Birdsborough and Reading, and Dale Forge, in Colebrookdale township, Berks Co., about nine miles north of Pottstown. Near this are the extensive iron-mines from which several furnaces derive their ore. These mines were owned by the firm of Bull, May & Smith, above named. Robert May (2) was accidentally killed by a fall from a horse which he was breaking, Nov. 21, 1812. His oldest daughter, Eliza, was born March 2, 1787, and on June 2, 1804, became the wife of Samuel Stevens, of Talbot Co., Md. Mr. Stevens was elected Governor of Maryland in 1824, and held the office three years. While serving in that capacity, Gen. Lafayette visited Annapolis, and was his guest. They were the parents of William Augustus Stevens, who was born April 9, 1807, graduated at Jefferson College, studied divinity, and became the first pastor of the Presbyterian Church of West Chester, Pa. He died at Warwick, Oct. 3, 1834, and was buried in the yard of the Presbyterian Church in West Chester. Thomas Potts May, oldest son of Robert May (2), was born March 9, 1793, became a clergyman and rector of the Episcopal Church in Norristown, and died Sept. 20, 1819. Robert May (3) was born Jan. 19, 1795, and graduated at the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania. He practiced his profession in northern Chester County, and died Jan. 26, 1866. Anna Nutt May, daughter of Robert May (2), born Oct. 30, 1796, became the wife of David Potts, Jr., of Warwick, and died March 17, 1823. Rev. James May, D.D., second son of that name of Robert May (2), was born in Coventry, Oct. 1, 1805. His studies preparatory to entering college were with his brother Thomas at Pottstown, at an academy in Norristown, and at the school of Rev. Alexander Campbell at Easton, Md., and were so thorough that he was enabled to enter the senior class at Jefferson, where he graduated with high distinction Sept. 25, 1823. He first entered upon the study of the law, but being drawn towards the ministry, after pursuing studies in that direction for a time, he entered the theological seminary at Alexandria, Va., in October, 1825, and was ordained by Bishop White, Dec. 24, 1826. He was settled as rector of St. Stephen’s Church, Wilkesbarre, in February, 1827, and remained in that connection ten years. When he took charge the congregation was small, but his influence and talents were such that the church soon prospered, and when he left it was the largest and strongest of his communion in all that section of the State. Jan. 8, 1829, he married Ellen Stuart Bowman, daughter of Capt. Samuel Bowman, and sister of Rev. Samuel Bowman, afterwards assistant bishop of Pennsylvania. She was a lady of personal graces, mental endowments, and a Christian spirit of a lofty order. In February, 1837, he became rector of St. Paul’s, Philadelphia, and one of the editors of the Episcopal Recorder. In October, 1838, he went to Europe for the benefit of his health, and returned in November, 1840. In July, 1842, he became Professor of Church History in the theological seminary near Alexandria. In the fall of that year the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Jefferson College. His wife died Jan. 10, 1861. On the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861 the seminary was closed. Its location was such that it was impossible to continue its operations, and the buildings were abandoned, and were soon after converted by the Union troops into a hospital. Dr. May then came to Philadelphia, and for a time took charge of a small church at Providence, Montgomery Co. In September, 1861, he became Professor of Church History and Polity in the Divinity School of Philadelphia. He died Dec. 18, 1863. Dr. May was a man of singular purity, meekness, fervor, and force, and of much more than ordinary learning and ability. As a preacher, he was earnest and faithful, and as a teacher he has had few equals in or out of his church. His popularity with those under his charge was deservedly very great. Newton May, a son of Robert May (2), was born Dec. 26, 1807, graduated at Jefferson College, and received his degree of M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, 1831. He resides at Holmesburg, where he practices medicine. Addison May, youngest son of Robert May (2), was born at Coventry, Dec. 18, 1811, graduated at Jefferson College, read law with William H. Dillingham, at West Chester, and located first at Erie, Pa. On June 13, 1839, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Hon. Samuel and Martha (Bull) Shafer. After his marriage he settled at Norristown, and acquired a large practice, but owing to failing health he relinquished the practice of his profession in 1850 and removed to Coventry, where he remained till 1859, and then fixed his residence at West Chester. He was one of the founders of the West Chester Trust and Relief Society, and has been its president since its organization; for several years a member of the board of trustees of the State Normal School at West Chester, and for two years president of the board; also president of the board of inspectors of the Chester County Prison, and represents Chester County in the board of trustees of the Hospital for the Insane at Norristown, in the organization of which he took an active part. He is also a member of the American Philosophical Society of Philadelphia, and of several historical, literary, and scientific associations. His only daughter, Martha, is the wife of Joseph T. Rothrock, M.D., now Professor of Botany in the University of Pennsylvania, a gentleman of culture and of extensive scientific acquirements, whose published works will be found noticed in the article on Bibliography.