The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-01-10
SKETCH oFTHE MAY FAMILY.
------------2-- :. ~ = u x =
Ancestors and Anteeedents OF thc NAN
Bennett Proposes to Shoot. ..'

Bennett proposes 10 ShoVes
tCo-rt.pondcucc Of the New York Graphic.J
w,sB,yGroN, January THE May fami-
" lived in this city at least hall a century.
They are now in the third and fourth gene
rations since, moving from Massachusetts
10 Washington, DR.. May established himself
on Capitol Hill in the large and peculiar
mansion now owned and occupied by Hon.
Joseph Holt.
THE TWO DOCTORS NAY. +.
DR.. May, the first; OF Washington, was
the grandfather OF the lady said to have
been engaged to Mr.. Bennett. He made
that happy mixture OF New England and
Virginia blood which produces the best
types at Washington when he married an
Alexandria lady. Practicing medicine IN
the davS OF Madison and Monroe, he
achieved good local reputation, and left
large family Of sons and daughters, several
OF whom took the natural, social, and OIL
ciaI rank obtainabe at that time by the few
wclI-to-do professional families OF Washing
ton. All these sons were over six feet high.
Their common origin was in the Holt
House, large brick property on New Jer-
sey avenue, near the present headquarters
OF the Coast Survey. DR.. May, the first
settler, is buried in the Congressional Gem
ctery. The Emorys, Bradleys, Todds, Rob-
binseS and many other leading families at
Washington, are also OF New England eX-
traction. a..-.
CHIP OF THE OLD BLOCK. -..
The son Of DR.. May, DR.. John F. May,
was born in Washington, and is. think, n
Younger son. lie was we'll educated IN
medicine, and was one OF the very first to
make Il successful amputation OF the hip
L., fp fho N
surgery gave him 4 great reputation for those
times, and he was very ambitious OF pro.
icssional success, practice, and wealth. He
resided in one Of the most respectable
neighborEoods in Washington anterior to
and after the war-a cosy old square OF c
street between Third street and Four-and-
a-half, lined on both sides with irregular
sized brick and stone-houses, and formerly
one OF the few compactly built quarters OF
the city. There DR.. May conducted prac-
tice and had the reputation OF being rigid
collector Of his bills and not apt to work,
even in 4 case OF urgent suffering, without
seeing his fee in advance. Anecdotes are
current OF his being summoned TO operate
on the victim OF railroad or other accident.
..Who pays for this:' And unless salts
fed on the subject lie went away.
After some years lie was induced to go to
Nashville to take charge Of q medical col
lrgc there, expecting to keep up bis Wash
ington business by proxy. On bis return
h. had some disagreement with his associ-
ate. and that led tooa division OF feeling
among the common practitioners, who sent
their cases up to the surgeons whenever
surgery was necessary. DR.. Lincoln got
the bulk Of the cases formerly given to DR..
May. 49,.
-- THE WASHINGTON PROPERTY.
The latter put up the "May Building"
about six years ago; on the corner OF Sew
cnth and E streets. 1t Is afour-story iron
front, with central stairway drug store
ut the corner, Offices above, and restau-
rant in she basement. The rents OF this
building are said to aggregate about $4,000
year, OF which DIR. May receives one-haif,
his interest being only to that extent. Peo-
ple here are of the opinion that he has no
further income. The advent Of the north
crn element and the settlement OF many
army surgeons in Washington discouraged
the medical branch of the May family from
continuing practice here. With good
family connection in New York, DR.. May
removed there to establish son in prac-
tice. The family had assumed semi-south-
ern reputation in Washington, the Doctors
brother, Henry May, having been sent to
Fort McHenry by General Dix. Before
they left Washington the beauty OF the
Young lady which has caused so much
trouble was universally recognized, though
She was seldom seen in Administration cir
cles. .-.a..f .s.sft
MISS MAYS UNcLEs AND AUNTs. .. ~.
The May brothers are not new in war and
arms. Colonel Julian May, uncle OF Miss
Nav, entered the army Of the United States,
and, settling in California, became State
senator after the close Of the Mexican war.
There, in 1853, he fought duel with Ed,
ward Rowe, wounded Rowe in the neck,
and escaped nnhurt. Julian May after
wards died in New Mexico. .2' ~ 1.'
George May, who was the oldest brother,
settled in New Orleans and became inflti-
entail there, and died in Europe. l.,'
William May, another uncle Of the lady
now notable, was commander in the Anne
rican navy, and died on the eastern shore Of
Maryland, where he bad property. ~;
Another uncle of Mr.. Benefits friend
WAS Captain Charles A. May, the dragon.
who rode at Resaca de la PALMA up to; Cen
erarLa Vega and captured him at a gun; as
ali the school histories relate. This May
was terribly. tallSan long-bearded fellow.
very noticeable in his time. 4 Fighting and;
marrying seem to be the principal avocation
Of the family, and Captain May, I am told,
married daughter Of " Live Oak" George
Law. Here is d pathetic suggestion. The
elder Bennett for long time kept George
Law before the public for President OF the
United States; now Benefits son and Cap.
tain Mays nephew are training perhaps to
shoot out the obligation. s..4~ 5s f
Miss May had an aunt, sister OF the bro,
theirs above, who married first Powell Nc.
Rae, q planter ef South Carolina, and sec
ond Dir. oeirichs, agent of the Bremen line
OF steamships, New York. Her daughter
by McRae married Mr.. Mazel, the Dutch
Beauty and spirit are almost inseparable
from the May family. Their extensive con-.
nectfons and probable large expectations Of
DIR. Benefits fortune, and their confident,
commanding way OF settling things might