Address (1851 Census) - 29 Waterloo Street, Devonport, Devon - England

Occupation (Death Cert.) - Shipwright

Came to Australia at the age of 19 in 1868 (Age and Year to Comfirm - Ship Unknown)

After Coming to Australia, he lived most of his life at Nambucca/Macleay River/Kempsey areas.

Known to have come to Nambucca with Mr. John Campbell Stuart (Builder of the "Royal Tar") in 1871 as a selector.

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Was one of 2 Shipwrights that built the "Royal Tar" at Nambucca, NSW.
"Royal Tar" was launched 1876
The following is from what I found on a website for the area. Click Here to see that Web Site

The barque "Royal Tar" was built for Mr. William Marshall of
Sydney by Mr. John Campbell Stuart of "Copenhagen Mill" Nambucca Heads.
The shipwrights' were J.G. May and J. McNeil. Up to forty men were employed
in the work. He keel was laid in 1872, but industrial operations were
considerably interrupted by industrial disputes. Local timber used in
her construction was cut in sawpits which could still be located near the
site in 1923. The hill was completed in 1876. The launching took three days due
to difficulties. When she was being towed out, the tow line parted
after she struck Half Tide Rock and she drifted onto South Beach, where she
remained for the next ten days. Pilot William Whaites ran out anchors and
succeeded in moving her with a windlass. The tug "Agnes Irving" assisted
in this operation and subsequently towed her to Sydney. She was
completely fitted out at Sydney and achieved the distinction of being the
largest vessel built up to that date in Australia. Her registration details
were:- Length 171.2 ft; breadth 31.4 ft; depth 17.2 ft; tonnage 598 tons.
Departed for America 17 July 1893. Wrecked at Shearer Rock,
Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, 26 November 1901.

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The Following is from the Book - "Valley of the Crooked River - European Settlement on the Nambucca"
John May a shipwright from Devon who came to the Nambucca as a selector
but reverted to his trade. He worked for the shipbuilder
John Campbell Stuart, on the Royal Tar (598 tons), launched 1873? or 1876?,
"The largest-colonial built vessel".