Noel May of Madison County, Virginia history

Now I have no pictures nor have I ever visited Virginia sadly but over years of doing genealogy and corresponding with a cousin who had when she was still alive I do know somethings. The Internet has also helped so bare with me. If it wasnt for Ellen Halverson a cousin who has visited out here and did much research I wouldn't know alot of this. This is dedicated to her since she passed away in 2012. Illinois research is easy but a different state is a whole different ball park.

Noel May was my Great great great great grandfather.  He was the son of Thomas and Anna (Hyate)May. I will fill in a little information on them first. They are as far back on the May family I have went so before them is a mystery. But it has been said by family the May's origionated in England abd moved to Germany before coming to America. We were likely in this country in the 1600s.

Noel's parents:

Thomas May was born vefore 1767 and he died in Louisa County, Virginia in March 1823. He married Anna Hyate. She died after 1823 in Virginia. Im sure they had a slew of kids like most did back in the day. This is really all I know.

Noel May:

Noel was born about 1792/93 in Orange County, Virginia. He died in 1866 after being kicked in the head by a horse in Madison County, Virginia. He married Aleavy Eddins in December 1817 in Madison County, Virginia.  They had seven known children together. Aleavy was born about 1795 the daughter of Theophilius Eddins and Dorothy "Dolly" Kirtley. Aleavy died between 1860-1863 in Madison County, Virginia.

Noel remarried to a Sarah C. Collins in 1863 and produced one child with her William May. After Noel died the family and the widow fought over the estate in the courts which drug on for years til there was nothing left. His son Thomas died before the estate was out of courts so it must have drug on passed 1873. Yikes.

Noel & Aleavy as well as William the son of Noel & Sarah are buried in the Old May Graveyard. This area is miles to the west of Graves Mill, Virgina near Buzzard Rocks & Schoolhouse hill areas.

Children of Noel & Aleavy:

1. Thomas May who was born on October  22, 1818 and died June 20, 1873 in Fulton County, Illinois. He married Elizabeth Scovel and had seven kids. He is my great great great grandfather. He's buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Lewistown, Illinois. He had seven children. He migrated to Fulton County, Illinois in 1842. He was christened about 1834/35 with the Methodist Church.

2. James May was born in 1824 in Madison County, Virginia. He married Ophalia Eddins on April 22, 1845 in Madison County, Virginia.

3. Levy Ann May was born in 1827 in Madison County, Virginia. She married Simon Slaughter about 1849.

4. Mary Susan May was born in 1831 in Madison County, Virginia. She may have married a man with the last name Taylor.

5. Sarah Ellen May was born in 1833 in Madison County, Virginia. She married Noah F. Rife in March 1865 in Madison County, Virginia.

6. Allen May was born in 1835 in Madison County, Virginia. He married Ann S. Utz in July 28, 1859 in Madison County, Virginia.

7. Edward May was born in 1840 in Madison County, Virginia.


Child of Noel and Sarah Collins May:

1. William May who was born between 1863-66.


Noels headstone on left and son  William on right. A family cemetery west of Graves Mill, Virginia.


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