James May, 1800 - 1806 The Adjutant General of the Michigan Territory

James May was born in England and settled at Detroit in 1778. He was honorably identified with the early history of the territory. He was a colonel of militia; was appointed chief justice of the court of common pleas about 1800, and held the position seven years. He died in January, 1829. A good portrait of him is found in Sheldon's "early history of Michigan." When the American flag was hauled down, at the surrender of Detroit by General Hull, he got possession of it, and hoisted it again when that city was surrendered by the British. He was the author of an interesting article on the condition of Detroit in 1778.