Biography of Mary "May" Morris 1862-1938

On 26th April 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, Oxford.

On 25th March 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 30th 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 9), 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 14th June 1890 Henry Halliday Sparling (age 30) and Mary "May" Morris (age 28) were married at Fulham Register Office. She the daughter of William Morris (age 56) and Jane Morris nee Burden (age 50).

On 3rd October 1896 [her father] William Morris (age 62) died after several months of "general organic degeneration", at Kelmscott House, Hammersmith. He died, Mackail says, 'quietly and without visible suffering' (II, 335)'

On 6th October 1896 [her father] William Morris (deceased) was buried at St George's Church, Kelmscott [Map]. His gravestone was designed by his friend Philip Webb. His wife [her mother] Jane Morris nee Burden (age 56) and daughter Mary "May" Morris (age 34) attended. The funeral is described by William Fredeman here.

In 1898 Henry Halliday Sparling (age 38) and Mary "May" Morris (age 35) were divorced.

3rd November 1909. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Mary "May" Morris (age 47).

On 26th January 1914 [her mother] Jane Morris nee Burden (age 74) died at 5 Brock Street, Bath. On 29th January 1914 she was buried at St George's Church, Kelmscott [Map] in the same grave as her husband [her father] William Morris. Her body was driven in a 'motor' from Bath to the manor house just before the service. Her coffin was 17th century style and in oak with brass furniture and a simple inscription of her name and date of death, and was carried into the church by six village men. The church was well attended by the villagers as well as familiar names from the world of art and literature including Marie Stillman (age 69) whose wreath was noted in the papers. The hymn 'Now the labourer's task is o'er' was sung and the organist played the Dead March as the coffin was carried out to where William was already buried.

On 9th September 1924 [her former husband] Henry Halliday Sparling (age 64) died.

On 17th October 1938 Mary "May" Morris (age 76) diedat Kelmscott Manor, Oxfordshire. She was buried in the same grave as her [her father] father and [her mother] mother at St George's Church, Kelmscott [Map].