Son of German immigrants Frantz (Francis) Peter May and Anna Maria May, married to Sara Phillips May, Father of John, Samuel, Thomas, Elizabeth, Daniel, Mary, Reuben and Tlepolard. Served in the Revolutionary War. Buried at "William Keathley Cemetery at Richam Station on the Willie Riddle Farm on Shelby Creek."
"According to Sara, John "entered the services in the county of Berkeley and state of Virginia and her recollection is that his captain's name was Cherry and a portion of the time she thinks he was under the command of General Lee," and Sarah "is satisfied he must have been in the service two years."
From these statements we learn that John's company, at least for part of his service, was led by a "Captain Cherry." This probably was William Cherry, the owner and operator of Cherry Tavern in Charles Town, Berkeley County. Some of John's service, which we can conclude to have occurred over a period of about two and a half years, was with Virginia battalions under the command of General Charles Lee, also of Berkeley County. Captain Cherry's company marched from Martinsburg to the banks of the Hudson, a trek of about twenty days. They probably arrived at Fort Lee, New Jersey by mid-November, 1776, in the heat of a series of critical battles. These historic events provided John a rich source for stories he recounted many times throughout the remainder of his life. He "frequently spoke of being on the opposite side of the river from the battle of Long Island," and saw George Washington's retreat "over the river."
These battles of this winter were vividly recalled by John throughout his life. They had been impressed on the mind of a sixteen year-old soldier who, with no formal military training, had been thrust into the terrible reality of war. During these initial tragic days of service, he saw men wounded and killed for the first time in his life. The size of the British fleet and the number of men fighting on both sides must have overwhelmed this green recruit. The British had over 32,000 disciplined, professional soldiers, including about 9,000 German mercenaries, and over 350 ships manned by 10,000 sailors, in the attacks on Long Island and Manhattan Island. Eyewitness accounts of events of such historic importance were a valuable legacy to pass down to his children.
In a deposition taken in Prestonsburg, Kentucky in 1845, John's son, Samuel, stated, "I recollect to have frequently heard him speak of having served in the army in the Revolutionary War, . . . and of having been married very shortly after the expiration of father's service in the army." Sarah May's 1845 Declaration doesn't mention any other battles John witnessed. However, a review of historical events that followed the British victories at the mouth of the Hudson in November, 1776, provides a wealth of information to illustrate what John must have witnessed and personally experienced in the waning days of that fateful year. Sarah said, "he must have been in the service two years."
Above information courtesy of Fred May. For additional information see www.mayhouse.com
"According to Sara, John "entered the services in the county of Berkeley and state of Virginia and her recollection is that his captain's name was Cherry and a portion of the time she thinks he was under the command of General Lee," and Sarah "is satisfied he must have been in the service two years."
From these statements we learn that John's company, at least for part of his service, was led by a "Captain Cherry." This probably was William Cherry, the owner and operator of Cherry Tavern in Charles Town, Berkeley County. Some of John's service, which we can conclude to have occurred over a period of about two and a half years, was with Virginia battalions under the command of General Charles Lee, also of Berkeley County. Captain Cherry's company marched from Martinsburg to the banks of the Hudson, a trek of about twenty days. They probably arrived at Fort Lee, New Jersey by mid-November, 1776, in the heat of a series of critical battles. These historic events provided John a rich source for stories he recounted many times throughout the remainder of his life. He "frequently spoke of being on the opposite side of the river from the battle of Long Island," and saw George Washington's retreat "over the river."
These battles of this winter were vividly recalled by John throughout his life. They had been impressed on the mind of a sixteen year-old soldier who, with no formal military training, had been thrust into the terrible reality of war. During these initial tragic days of service, he saw men wounded and killed for the first time in his life. The size of the British fleet and the number of men fighting on both sides must have overwhelmed this green recruit. The British had over 32,000 disciplined, professional soldiers, including about 9,000 German mercenaries, and over 350 ships manned by 10,000 sailors, in the attacks on Long Island and Manhattan Island. Eyewitness accounts of events of such historic importance were a valuable legacy to pass down to his children.
In a deposition taken in Prestonsburg, Kentucky in 1845, John's son, Samuel, stated, "I recollect to have frequently heard him speak of having served in the army in the Revolutionary War, . . . and of having been married very shortly after the expiration of father's service in the army." Sarah May's 1845 Declaration doesn't mention any other battles John witnessed. However, a review of historical events that followed the British victories at the mouth of the Hudson in November, 1776, provides a wealth of information to illustrate what John must have witnessed and personally experienced in the waning days of that fateful year. Sarah said, "he must have been in the service two years."
Above information courtesy of Fred May. For additional information see www.mayhouse.com
Son of German immigrants Frantz (Francis) Peter May and Anna Maria May, married to Sara Phillips May, Father of John, Samuel, Thomas, Elizabeth, Daniel, Mary, Reuben and Tlepolard. Served in the Revolutionary War. Buried at "William Keathley Cemetery at Richam Station on the Willie Riddle Farm on Shelby Creek."
"According to Sara, John "entered the services in the county of Berkeley and state of Virginia and her recollection is that his captain's name was Cherry and a portion of the time she thinks he was under the command of General Lee," and Sarah "is satisfied he must have been in the service two years."
From these statements we learn that John's company, at least for part of his service, was led by a "Captain Cherry." This probably was William Cherry, the owner and operator of Cherry Tavern in Charles Town, Berkeley County. Some of John's service, which we can conclude to have occurred over a period of about two and a half years, was with Virginia battalions under the command of General Charles Lee, also of Berkeley County. Captain Cherry's company marched from Martinsburg to the banks of the Hudson, a trek of about twenty days. They probably arrived at Fort Lee, New Jersey by mid-November, 1776, in the heat of a series of critical battles. These historic events provided John a rich source for stories he recounted many times throughout the remainder of his life. He "frequently spoke of being on the opposite side of the river from the battle of Long Island," and saw George Washington's retreat "over the river."
These battles of this winter were vividly recalled by John throughout his life. They had been impressed on the mind of a sixteen year-old soldier who, with no formal military training, had been thrust into the terrible reality of war. During these initial tragic days of service, he saw men wounded and killed for the first time in his life. The size of the British fleet and the number of men fighting on both sides must have overwhelmed this green recruit. The British had over 32,000 disciplined, professional soldiers, including about 9,000 German mercenaries, and over 350 ships manned by 10,000 sailors, in the attacks on Long Island and Manhattan Island. Eyewitness accounts of events of such historic importance were a valuable legacy to pass down to his children.
In a deposition taken in Prestonsburg, Kentucky in 1845, John's son, Samuel, stated, "I recollect to have frequently heard him speak of having served in the army in the Revolutionary War, . . . and of having been married very shortly after the expiration of father's service in the army." Sarah May's 1845 Declaration doesn't mention any other battles John witnessed. However, a review of historical events that followed the British victories at the mouth of the Hudson in November, 1776, provides a wealth of information to illustrate what John must have witnessed and personally experienced in the waning days of that fateful year. Sarah said, "he must have been in the service two years."
Above information courtesy of Fred May. For additional information see www.mayhouse.com
"According to Sara, John "entered the services in the county of Berkeley and state of Virginia and her recollection is that his captain's name was Cherry and a portion of the time she thinks he was under the command of General Lee," and Sarah "is satisfied he must have been in the service two years."
From these statements we learn that John's company, at least for part of his service, was led by a "Captain Cherry." This probably was William Cherry, the owner and operator of Cherry Tavern in Charles Town, Berkeley County. Some of John's service, which we can conclude to have occurred over a period of about two and a half years, was with Virginia battalions under the command of General Charles Lee, also of Berkeley County. Captain Cherry's company marched from Martinsburg to the banks of the Hudson, a trek of about twenty days. They probably arrived at Fort Lee, New Jersey by mid-November, 1776, in the heat of a series of critical battles. These historic events provided John a rich source for stories he recounted many times throughout the remainder of his life. He "frequently spoke of being on the opposite side of the river from the battle of Long Island," and saw George Washington's retreat "over the river."
These battles of this winter were vividly recalled by John throughout his life. They had been impressed on the mind of a sixteen year-old soldier who, with no formal military training, had been thrust into the terrible reality of war. During these initial tragic days of service, he saw men wounded and killed for the first time in his life. The size of the British fleet and the number of men fighting on both sides must have overwhelmed this green recruit. The British had over 32,000 disciplined, professional soldiers, including about 9,000 German mercenaries, and over 350 ships manned by 10,000 sailors, in the attacks on Long Island and Manhattan Island. Eyewitness accounts of events of such historic importance were a valuable legacy to pass down to his children.
In a deposition taken in Prestonsburg, Kentucky in 1845, John's son, Samuel, stated, "I recollect to have frequently heard him speak of having served in the army in the Revolutionary War, . . . and of having been married very shortly after the expiration of father's service in the army." Sarah May's 1845 Declaration doesn't mention any other battles John witnessed. However, a review of historical events that followed the British victories at the mouth of the Hudson in November, 1776, provides a wealth of information to illustrate what John must have witnessed and personally experienced in the waning days of that fateful year. Sarah said, "he must have been in the service two years."
Above information courtesy of Fred May. For additional information see www.mayhouse.com
