Sarah Ann May (1837-1869)

There are two young May girls in the 1841 Census for North Nibley.

The first is Ann, living with her grandparents, John and Mary May at the Leather Bottle, where the New Inn now stands. In the same household were Samuel and Ester (nee May) Cowley. Sarah Ann had been baptised in North Nibley in 1837, the daughter of Ester May, singlewoman.

Unfortunately, at the same time, Sarah May, aged 5, was living with Ann Pick and her family on Frog Lane.

I have made the leap of assuming that Sarah Ann, born 1837, was the daughter of Ester, as they are living in the same household and, during her lifetime, she was variously called Sarah Ann, Sarah or Ann.

In the 1851, she is recorded as Ann Cowley, living with her mother and (presumed) stepfather and their children. At the age of 21, she married George Probert, a brickmaker, and they were living together in Berkeley in the ’61 Census. A year after she died, in 1869, George married Elizabeth Tanner.

So, that leaves Sarah May, baptised 13th November 1836, the daughter of Ann May, singlewoman? As they say, answers on a postcard please.