MAY
Brinton in North Norfolk
The MAY family in Trunch started with Henry MAY (1804-1885) who was a shoemaker and farmer from Brinton in North Norfolk. His mother was Sarah Randall which is why the name appears in the MAY family tree. He married Rhoda BUGDEN (1821-1908) in 1842 and they had 4 children while living in Sharrington and another 4 after they had moved to Field Dalling. Meanwhile Rhoda's father Cornelius BUGDEN moved to Trunch and in the 1851 & 1861 census he was farming 40 acres at the Tee Farm until his death in 1862.
Trunch Tee Farm
Henry and Rhoda's eldest son Henry Bugden May (1843-1936) was living with his grandparents and working on their farm at Trunch Tee in 1861 and 1871. It was here that he must have met Virtue BUCK from Trunch and they were married in late 1871.
Ivy Farmhouse, Trunch
By 1881 Henry Bugden May had his own farm of 150 acres on the Mundesley Road in Trunch and he was employing 4 men and 3 boys. Altogether Henry and Virtue had 10 children, but two of them died before 1911. In 1901 and 1911 Henry and Virtue were living in Ivy Farmhouse and also in 1901 Henry's mother Rhoda was living in a farmhouse in Trunch.
The White House, Trunch
One of Henry and Virtue's sons became a farmer in Trunch. Arthur Edward (1879-1974) married Helen Mary PRIMROSE in 1909 and they lived in the White House. Their daughter Joan has written a book about their life in the early 20th. Century. Arthur was involved in the village activities until his death.
Chamberlin's Store in Norwich
Another son, Charles Norman (1882-1963), was apprenticed to Chamberlins in Norwich who had a department store on the Guildhall Hill and some textile factories. Later he was in the army and served in Southern Rhodesia and in World War One. Later on he farmed at Church Farm in Knapton.
Two of Henry and Virtue's sons emigrated to Canada and became farmers in British Columbia. Henry Randall (1875-1961) and Frederick Horace (1879-1943) emigrated in 1896 and 1899 respectively. Both married Canadian girls. Their presence in Canada resulted in several trips across the Atlantic for many of the MAY family. Frederick had a tragic death when he was gored by a bull on his farm. The photos below show happier times when Fred and his wife Minnie visited Trunch.
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The postcard below was sent from Canada in 1913 by Kathleen Mabel (Fred & Randall's sister) to Mary Powell, who was the 9 year old daughter of Frederick Powell, who farmed at the Manor House in Brewery Road at that time.
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At least 2 more of the MAY family emigrated to Canada. Ezra (born 1862) a son of Henry Bugden MAY and Rhoda, married his niece, Alice Olney and that may be why he emigrated to the same part of British Columbia as his nephews. Later Geoffrey (born 1912) a son of Arthur also emigrated to Canada.
Virtue and 3 of her children are buried in the churchyard and her son Arthur and his wife Helen are buried or commemorated in the new cemetery, as are Alice, Salie, Henry Randall, Kathleen Mabel and Roger Henry. However I have been unable to find the grave of Henry Bugden May himself so far.
Virtue and 3 of her children are buried in the churchyard and her son Arthur and his wife Helen are buried or commemorated in the new cemetery, as are Alice, Salie, Henry Randall, Kathleen Mabel and Roger Henry. However I have been unable to find the grave of Henry Bugden May himself so far.
