Biography of Mary "May" Morris 1862-1938
On 26 Apr 1859 [her father] William Morris (age 25) and [her mother] Jane Morris nee Burden (age 19) were married at St Michael at the Northgate Church.
On 25 Mar 1862 Mary "May" Morris was born to William Morris (age 28) and Jane Morris nee Burden (age 22) at the Red House. She was baptised 30 May 1862 at Christ Church, Bexleyheath.
1871. The census records [her father] William Morris (age 36), [her mother] Jane Morris nee Burden (age 31), Elizabeth Burden, sister-in-law, [her sister] Jane Alicia Morris (age 10), Mary "May" Morris (age 8) and three servants living at 21 Queen Square, Bloomsbury.
1872. Dante Gabriel Rossetti (age 43). Portrait of Mary "May" Morris (age 9).
1873. Dante Gabriel Rossetti (age 44). "La Ghirlandata" aka "The Garlanded Woman" aka "The Lady of the Wreath". Model: Alice aka Alexa Wilding (age 26). Mary "May" Morris (age 10) modelled for the heads in the corners. A woman playing a harp as two angels surround her, enclosed by vivid flowers – including honeysuckle and roses – and luscious green foliage which melds into the green of her dress.
Between 1875 and 1878. Dante Gabriel Rossetti (age 46). The Blessed Damozel. Models centre Alice aka Alexa Wilding (age 28), probably left-hand angel Mary "May" Morris (age 12). The first four verses of his poem The Blessed Damozel are written on the frame. In the collection of the Lady Lever Art Gallery [Map].
On 14 Jun 1890 Henry Halliday Sparling (age 30) and Mary "May" Morris (age 28) were married. She the daughter of William Morris (age 56) and Jane Morris nee Burden (age 50).
On 03 Oct 1896 [her father] William Morris (age 62) died.
In 1898 Henry Halliday Sparling (age 38) and Mary "May" Morris (age 35) were divorced.
On 26 Jan 1914 [her mother] Jane Morris nee Burden (age 74) died at 5 Brock Street, Bath. She was buried at St George's Church, Kelmscott [Map].
On 09 Sep 1924 [her former husband] Henry Halliday Sparling (age 64) died.
On 17 Oct 1938 Mary "May" Morris (age 76) diedat Kelmscott Manor House, Oxfordshire.
Great x 1 Grandfather: Unamed Morris
GrandFather: William Morris
Great x 2 Grandfather: Charles Stanley
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stanley
Father: William Morris
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Shelton
Great x 1 Grandfather: Joseph Shelton
GrandMother: Emma Shelton
GrandFather: Robert Burden Stableman
Mother: Jane Morris nee Burden
GrandMother: Ann Maizey Domestic Servant