224 Hampton Street – Historic May House (Demolished)

FAMILY IMAGE taken at #116 Johnston Street of: Mary May, Morris Cobb, Annie Bell May, Charlie May, Blanche May, Lillie Frew, and Charles Cobb. See enlargeable image under the More Information Link. Courtesy of he Cobb – Allen Collection, 2017

The Yorkville Enquirer on Nov. 27, 1879 reported – “Last Friday the residence of Mr. R.T. May in Rock Hill caught fire from a defect in the chimney.  The fire was extinguished but the house and furniture had considerable damage.  Mrs. Cynthia Owens, who lived a short distance away, became so excited she had a fit which proved fatal.  She was the mother of the late M.L. Owens who was a member of the legislature.”

The Rock Hill Herald reported on Jan. 29, 1880 – “Mr. R. T. May is building a house on Johnston Street.  He will take position of it as soon as it is finished.  The house he lived in last year has been bought and is now occupied by Mr. W.G. Reid.” On Tuesday May 13th, the family of R.T. May moved into their new house.”

City Directories and History:  (R.T. May Home), 1908 – J. A. Neely, 1917 – A. A. McKeown, 1922/23 – A.A. McKeown, 1936 – Thomas C. Amond, Leroy M. Dozier, Clarence E. Gaffney, 1963 – NA

R&R HISTORY LINK: Neely’s Market, owned by John A. Neely

Historically this was the May home of (Arabell Fewell – May), which was a very handsome dwelling constructed in the early 1870’s next to Dr. Tom Crawford’s house. For a little while, his partner, Dr. Wm. Francis (Frank) Strait and his family resided here. While living here, their oldest child, Rosa B. Strait – Guess was born.

The Rock Hill Herald contained an ad on Jan. 29, 1885 – C.F. May and Company, offering watches, clocks and jewelry.”

“Next north to the Crawford house (opposite the Starr house) was a most appealing cottage with a large, well-proportioned stoop featuring square columns. This house was built about 1872 by John C. Hoke on speculation. It was purchased and occupied by Mrs. Arabella (Fewell) May, grandmother of Mrs. James E. Parker (“Miss Annie Belle”), Mr. Charlie May, Miss Mary May (who married a Mr. John D. Duff);···· and Miss Blanche May (who also married a Mr. Duff). While the house was being rented by its next owner, John Alexander Neely, to Dr. and Mrs. W. Frank Strait, Rosa Baskin Strait, their oldest child, was born there on May 12, 1892.”  [Robbins – White Tour Booklet]

The YV Enquirer reported on Aug. 30, 1895 – “The graded school will open Monday.  The Supt. is Prof. Gillon of Concord, N.C. and the teachers are: J.H. Allison of Yorkville, Ms. Eliza Small of Augusta, and Ms. Blanche May of Rock Hill. The school for colored students will open with S.P. Foster in charge.”

The Rock Hill Herald reported on July 5, 1899 – “On the death of John C. Hoke, at his residence near the Catawba River.  He is buried at Laurelwood Cemetery.  He came from NC some years ago and built several houses in Rock Hill.”

The Herald on Feb. 21, 1903 reported, “Mr. C.S. May’s residence was saved from fire by the furious barking of his dog in the night. This awakened Mr. May, who found the house full of smoke.  He awakened his uncle, S.T. Frew , living next door, together they located the fire and put it out.” (It is unclear if this house was the same as that of the one at #224 Hampton Street.)

The Rock Hill Record on Feb. 22, 1912 contained an ad announcing the purchase of the Cash Market at 147 East Main St., by John A. Neely, who has worked there for some time.  It will now be known as Neely’s Market and will sell the very best of meats.

Rosa Baskin Strait – Guess  was born in what had formerly been the residence of Mrs. Arabella (Fewell) May, widow of William S. May, antebellum sheriff of York District, S. C. The house was built about 1872-73 by John C. Hoke, on speculation. It was an attractive white frame cottage with a number of interesting architectural details. Mrs. May’s son R. Thomas May owned the adjoining property on the south. When Rosa B. Strait was born, the house and lot belonged to John A. Neely.  Courtesy of the YCGHS—June 1998 (R. Thomas May and wife, Laura Frew, had these children: (1) Mary, who married J. C. H. Duff; (2) Annie Belle, who married James E. Parker; and (3) Charles May.)

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R&R HISTORY LINK: STRAIT HOME

R&R HISTORY LINK: HISTORIC PARKER HOME – JOHNSTON STREET

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