The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-11-25
DEATH CLOSES
A VALUED LIFE,
Continued from Page One.)

Leicester Mr.. May was minister of the
First Ecclesiastical society, Brooklyn,
Conn.,, until June 1847 Then he became
the general agent of the Massachusetts
Anti-slavery society. He held this place
with the exception of about year and
half of impaired health, for Is years
and until 1866, the time when, by
amendment of the constitution, slavery
in the United States ceased to exist. He
was also, for several years, correspond
ing secretary of the American Anti
slavery society.
From 1S41 to 1865 Mr. May refused
to take any political action under the
United States constitution, because of
its recognition and support of slavery
refused, that is, to vote for officers who
must take an oath to support the con-
stitution. When the constitution was
amended, he resumed the exercises of
the citizens duties. At the outbreak of
the rebellion in 1861, he gave such aid
as he could to the cause of the Union
and to its armies in the field speaking
and acting publicly.
He early took a decided stand against
the use Of Intoxicating drinks; was a
member of town, county and state So
cieties formed to promote total absti-
hence from their use, and Joined with
as house in which no drinks should
be sold
Mr.. May served upon the town school
committee, at two different periods, for
Il years. He was chosen one of the
directors of the towns public library
at its establishment, in 1861, and con-
tinued as such until 1896, hav-
ing served nearly "a years. In 1874
he was elected a trustee of Leicester
academy In 1875 he was a member of
the state legislature, representing, with
Pliny Litchfield Of Southbridge, the
district formed of the towns of Leices-
ter Spencer, Charlton, Southbridge and
Auburn AS House chairman of the
committee on federal relations, he took
an active part in states commemora-
ton of the one hundredth anniversar-
les of the battles of Lexington, Con-
cord and Bunker Hill. At the towns
celebration of the centennial of Ameri-
can Independence July A. 1876, Mr.. May
was chairman of the town committee.
He edited the pamphlet which records
in full that days doings in Leicester.
He was a member of the American
Social Science association, of the Wor-
cester Society of Antiquity, and of the
BostoniGn society. He aided in the
compilation of the large pamphlet
which records the one hundreth ami
Wei Sdiy VI Tie IOu1udllOn or Leicester
academy, and the proceedings of that
occasion, Sept. 4. 1884
On the occasion Of his seventy-fifth
birthday anniversary in 1885, a great
reception was given at his home. Invi-
tations were extended to nearly every
one in town, and a large gathering was
present, including many from out of
town. In 1895 the school children gath
cred at his home on his birthday. They
sang songs and flowers were presented
tc the reverend gentleman.
Mrs. Sarah Russell May died June 13.
1895. at Scarsboro, Prouts Neck, Me,
aged 50 years, months.
The funeral of Rev. Samuel MAY will
be held tomorrow afternoon at PAS
O'Clock, in the Unitarian church. Rev.
DR.. A, S. Carver of the First Unita-
rian church, and Rev, G. w. Kent Of
the South Unitarian church, will take
part. A car will leave the Union depot
for Leicester at LAO p. m. Prayers
for the family only will be held at the
residence earlier in the day, and Rev
Nathaniel Seaver Jr of the Unitarian
church, will conduct the service. A
service will be held in the Church of
the Disciples, Boston, on Monday after