Winter Quarters

The Mays arrived in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in the middle of June 1852

Some of the family are recorded as dying in Winter Quarters, Nebraska, others in Council Bluffs, Iowa. According to most reports Winter Quarters had been abandoned in 1848. These places were on opposite banks of the Missouri and the name Council Bluffs seems to have referred to a number of locations in the area. I am hoping that someone can explain all this.

However, what is known is that wherever the Mays found themselves, cholera was rife. Five of the family of nine who had set out from England became victims.

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection which occurs where sanitary conditions are poor. Those affected, at that time, could die within a few hours after onset due to loss of fluid and salts through profuse diarrhea and through vomiting.

George May died 23 June 1852 aged 43
Emily May died 27 June 1852 aged 2
Elizabeth May died 27 June 1852 aged 21
William May died 2 July 1852 aged 6
Hannah May née Hobson died 4 July 1852 aged 43

Hannah, George and 3 of their children were buried at Winter Quarters, Nebraska or at Kanesville, Iowa, which was renamed Council Bluffs in 1853.

The May party
who left England in 1852

George May born 1809
Hannah May born 1809
Elizabeth May born 1830
James May born 1832
Harriet May born 1838
Thomas May born 1840
Richard May born 1843
William May born 1846
Emily May born 1850

Henry Ballard born 1832

This narrative gives only the known experiences of the May family, together with brief details of the conditions they are likely to have experienced on their journey. There are many more detailed accounts of such journeys, and these can be accessed through the 'Sources' button on the left.

This web site is a work in progress which I have put 'on-the-air' in the hope of making contact with those who know more than I about the subject.

I will be adding to the narrative and the data as I learn more.