Family Group Sheet
NameJames May
Birth15 Nov 1811, Floyd Co., Kentucky
Death5 Jun 1890, Magoffin Co., Kentucky
BurialGarfield May (Elk Creek) Cemetery, Gifford, Magoffin Co., Ky
Other spousesElizabeth Power
Marriageabt 1831
SpouseMatilda L. Whitaker
Birthabt 1808, Russell Co., Virginia
Death1 Jan 1854, Morgan Co., Kentucky
Children
Birthabt 1834, Morgan Co., Kentucky
SpouseRichard M. Coffee
Notes for James May
Dates of birth and death are from his gravestone.
Notes for Matilda L. Whitaker
Morgan Co., Ky death records list Matilda May, age 46, married, residence Elk Creek, Morgan Co., born in Russell Co. Virginia, parents Whiteker, died 1 Jan 1854, cause of death cold, reported by Doc Wheeler.
Census Notes for James & Matilda L. (Family)
1850 census of Morgan Co., Ky, enumerated 2 Oct, lists on p. 160 as family #1061:
James May Jr., 38, farmer; Matilda L., 40; Eliza, 18; Gilean, 16; William, 14; Fleming, 12; Thomas, 8; Franklin, 5; Mary, 3. All born in Kentucky.
The suffix of Jr. does not mean that James’ father was also named James; his parents were Caleb May and Margaret Patrick. Probably it is to distinguish him from an uncle of the same name. (It was common in previous centuries, especially rural areas, to use Jr. and Sr. to distiguish the older and younger of two adult men of the same name in the same community.)
James May Jr., 38, farmer; Matilda L., 40; Eliza, 18; Gilean, 16; William, 14; Fleming, 12; Thomas, 8; Franklin, 5; Mary, 3. All born in Kentucky.
The suffix of Jr. does not mean that James’ father was also named James; his parents were Caleb May and Margaret Patrick. Probably it is to distinguish him from an uncle of the same name. (It was common in previous centuries, especially rural areas, to use Jr. and Sr. to distiguish the older and younger of two adult men of the same name in the same community.)
