Searching for Mayflowers

On a blustery night in Little Egypt, NS, in the winter of 1880, a humble farmer named Maria Murray gave birth to five tiny but otherwise perfect babies—quintuplets.

The local townsfolk flocked to witness the miracle for themselves. Sadly, four of the infants died soon after birth. A photographer took a picture of the bodies placed next to their living sister. On the third day, the fifth baby passed away.

In the late nineteenth century, "curiosities" such as quintuplets were in high demand as entertainment. Circus showman P. T. Barnum sent a telegram asking if he could purchase the dead babies. The family declined, and, fearing grave robbers, dug the bodies up from the local cemetery and buried them in the basement of their home. Three months later, they exhumed them once again and buried them in a secret location.

When author Lori McKay's grandmother told her the story of the Murray quintuplets, McKay was enthralled. The best part: her great-great-grandmother had delivered the babies, although newspaper accounts credited a doctor with the delivery.

Featuring never-before-seen photos, Searching for Mayflowers is the captivating story of McKay's quest to unravel this 140-plus-year-old family mystery, weaving together history, intrigue, and a complicated family legacy.

On a blustery night in Little Egypt, NS, in the winter of 1880, a humble farmer named Maria Murray gave birth to five tiny but otherwise perfect babies—quintuplets.

The local townsfolk flocked to witness the miracle for themselves. Sadly, four of the infants died soon after birth. A photographer took a picture of the bodies placed next to their living sister. On the third day, the fifth baby passed away.

In the late nineteenth century, "curiosities" such as quintuplets were in high demand as entertainment. Circus showman P. T. Barnum sent a telegram asking if he could purchase the dead babies. The family declined, and, fearing grave robbers, dug the bodies up from the local cemetery and buried them in the basement of their home. Three months later, they exhumed them once again and buried them in a secret location.

When author Lori McKay's grandmother told her the story of the Murray quintuplets, McKay was enthralled. The best part: her great-great-grandmother had delivered the babies, although newspaper accounts credited a doctor with the delivery.

Featuring never-before-seen photos, Searching for Mayflowers is the captivating story of McKay's quest to unravel this 140-plus-year-old family mystery, weaving together history, intrigue, and a complicated family legacy.