May shares Brothers’ history

Andrew’s great-great grandfather John Frederick May is considered a SA pioneer, with a plaque in his memory on North Terrace in Adelaide.

But in 2009, when Andrew went to the State Library to correct some misinformation, he discovered there was surprisingly little known about his ancestor’s life and legacy.

He was encouraged to do his own research, which lead to a seven-year project, and a 400-page hardcover book – The Mechanical Genius John Frederick May.

“I didn’t set out to write a book – I thought I was just doing this for my family, and maybe for the state and national library,” Andrew said.

With a background as a jackaroo and financial planner, before starting his own waste company, Andrew said research and writing the book became an engrossing task. He wrote it all from his kitchen table, but said he spent driving time strategising his research.

He used many methods to find out information, including newspaper advertisements, visits to the patent office and “thousands of hours” at the state library.

“I advertised across Australia and people were fantastic, sending things from Tas and WA,” he said. “The number of people that passed things on, asking ‘is that any good to you?’”

Andrew also inherited memorabilia from his father.

“I’d always collected different bits of information, as I was always keen on that history," he said.

“But it really surprised me, what I didn’t know.”

Frederick May was a major contributor in the shaping of the mining history of the state and in Broken Hill, NSW.

Andrew said mining was Frederick’s particular interest, but he was still instrumental in the agricultural industry, patenting the adjustable comb in 1885 for use in harvesting.

“He had an amazing number of patents,” Andrew said.

The interest in family history has also been passed on to the next generation.

Andrew said his daughter Holly was helping him with much of his research, while son James has restored one of the May Bros strippers, which is on display at the Roseworthy Museum.

Andrew has not stopped, with a second book expected to be released within 12 months.

“I had too much information for just one book,” he said.

Andrew was proud of his family history, and pleased the book would help more people know about the history of SA.

“I encourage everyone to look at their own family history,” he said. “They might be surprised.”

SA pioneer John Frederick May came to Australia with his family in 1858 on the SS Melbourne, travelling from Cornwall, England, at 18.

Along with his brothers William, Joseph, Matthew and Alfred, Frederick went to Burra, where he worked in the mines with father Henry. 

After 12 months he moved to Wallaroo to work on the Moonta mines and became the youngest mine superintendent in Australasia at 23 years old, despite having no formal qualifications.

In 1873, Frederick moved to Gawler as a partner in James Martin’s foundry. 

With brother Alfred, he established his own foundry, May Brothers, in 1885. A second foundry was opened at Port Pirie.

While he is most known for his work at Broken Hill, NSW, and in the mining industry, Frederick patented many implements, including the adjustable comb for stripping crops and built churches, including the Methodist Church at Moonta, which still stands. 

He died in 1897, and the May Brothers foundry closed in 1928.