THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM MAY AND MARGARET MARY VANGILDER

of Monongalia County, (West) Virginia

Margaret MaryVanGilder, daughter of Jacob VanGilder and Anna Margaret Kibler, was born April 2, 1786 in Maryland. On April 25, 1807 she married William May in Monongalia County, (West) Virginia. William was born July 22, 1781. He served with Captain Samuel G. Wilson’s Company from Monongalia County in the War of 1812. William May lived by farming a piece of land in Monongalia County his entire life. When he died he left a will probated during the November 1857 term in Monongalia County, which bequeathed the farm property, household utensils, and a quanity of cows, horses, and sheep to various family members. Margaret, known as Mary, was mentioned in the Revolutionary War Pension File of her father.

William May died on October 27, 1857 at the age of seventy six and Mary on February 3, 1859 at the age of seventy two. Both are buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Winfield District, Marion County, West Virginia.

Children of William May and Margaret Mary VanGilder:

  1. John May born December 6, 1817 in Monongalia County, (West) Virginia married Salinda Morgan, daughter of “Buffalo Jim” Morgan and Rachel Bunner on December 22, 1840 in Monongalia County, (West) Virginia. Salinda was born June 27, 1818 in Monongalia County, (West) Virginia. John farmed in Marion County, West Virginia. He died on April 7, 1892 and Salinda on February 10, 1900. Both are buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Winfield District, Marion County, West Virginia. Their children were:
    • Alpheus May born April 3, 1842 died April 23, 1862. Alpheus, a soldier in the 6th West Virginia Infantry, died in the Civil War. He is buried at Mt. Zion Cemetery.
    • Jacob May born 1844 died February 1, 1923 married twice.
    • Rachel May born 1846 died 1928 married Morgan Leville, a Civil War soldier. They had two children: (1) Florence Wilma Leville who married Frank J. Carraher and had one child Anna Virginia Carraher born June 26, 1910. (2) Olney B. Leville born May 25, 1879 died 1941 married on May 30, 1901 Edna Murell born May 17, 1882 died 1967. They had Jacob Morgan Leville born November 4, 1904 married on April 17, 1928 Kathryn Conrad; Francis Roger Leville born January 26, 1908 married on January 26, 1936 Lenora Hall; and Martha Mae Leville born May 25, 1914 married Maurice Koblentz.
    • Sylvanus May born February 27, 1849 died March 20, 1927 married Louise A. Sigler. Their children were: (1) Dessie Lee May born December 16, 1878 died 1968 married Frank Reaser. (2) Caroline Ola May born September 4, 1880 died on October 16, 1990. (3) Eddie E. May born October 6, 1882 died August 1930. (4) Wilbur Morgan May born November 10, 1884 married Leah Mae DuBoise and had Francis Pierpont May born September 4, 1913 who married Helen Edward. (5) Clyde Arteville May born April 24, 1887 married Frances Cody Pocana. (6) George Amos May born June 18, 1889 married on June 13, 1918 Retta Smith. Their children were: Marie Ellen May born May 10 and married Maynard Webberly and lived in Milford, Ohio; George Willis May born September 19, an attorney who married Joanne Jenkins; Paul Edward May born December 28 and married Rutia Hall; Mildred Irene May born November 29, 1928 who married Edgar Heiskel; and Nan Elizabeth May born April 5 and lived in Fairfax, Virginia. (7) James Okey May born March 7, 1892 and married Alice Grimm and Odie McMillian. (8) Lawrence Pierpont May born December 4, 1893 died November 12, 1968 married Lucy Reaser and had one child, Estaline May born November 5, 1935 who married Howart Charlton. (9) Lora Eva May born August 14, 1895 married Joseph Stretchberry. (10) Loyd May. (11) Anna May born April 1898 died May 1898.
    • Mary L. May, a twin, born March 10, 1851 died March 14, 1851. Buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery.
    • Sarah D. May, a twin, born March 10, 1851 died March 14, 1851. Buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery.
    • Clemenza “Lemmie” May born April 6, 1854 died April 25, 1914 married John Wesley Reeves born February 20, 1853 died May 3, 1942. Lemmie and John had: (1) Effie May Reeves born August 17, 1875 died June 4, 1952 married Charles Carpenter (2) Frederick Ford Reeves born October 2, 1877 died April 7, 1952 married Julia Robertson (3) Albert Harvey Reeves born November 24, 1880 married Anna Beatrice Hawkins (4) Salinda Eulah Reeves born April 29, 1882 married Richard Edward Johnson (5) Jacob Walter Reeves born July 3, 1884 married Elizabeth Hindle (6) Benjamin Frank Reeves born October 11, 1886 married Dorothy Rose Deed (7) Roscoe Conkling Reeves born March 10, 1888 married Catherine Getelius, (8) Sarah Alta Reeves born March 30, 1894 married Dorsey Golden Knight.
    • Hanna “Fannie” May married David Rogers
    • Evaline May died August 9, 1923 married John Cox of Arnettsville, West Virginia.
    • Adelphia Jane May born 1863 died September 2, 1883. Buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery.

  2. James May born June 11, 1821 died June 19, 1892 married Mary Snowder. James is buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery. Their children were:
    • Mary May who married Miles Hamilton.
    • Sophia May who married Haymond Griggs and Lawrence Houn.
    • Jacob May

  3. Margaret May married George W. Phillips on June 18, 1836. He was born in 1897 and died October 3, 1892 and is buried in Mount Zion Cemetery. They had one child, Wesley Phillips who married Mary Burk (perhaps the adopted daughter of William and Mary May). Wesley and Mary had: Elizabeth Phillips; Elvira Phillips who married Emery Jones; and James Phillips.

  4. Sophia May married Joseph Trickett

  5. Mary A. May born Septembver 17, 1823 died June 13, 1902 married John Robe born June 23, 1827 died May 11, 1896. Both are buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery.

  6. Mary Ann Burke, an adopted daughter who was mentioned in William May’s will.


Family research is not always done alone. I would like to thank Marjorie Potesta, Robert Poole Wilkins, and Raymond Wolfe, Jr. who have collaborated with me on the VanGilder book. Also the countless network "cousins" who have donated their lines to our effort. Finally, to my own family--parents, aunts, cousins, cousins once removed--who have given support, stories, and old photos.

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