Deacon James Fay

James Fay's birth is recorded in Westborough, MA Vital Records, as September 27, 1707. James, s. John, bap. April 11, 1708. C.R.I. James owned land in Hardwick, MA, as early as 1735, but probably remained in Westboro' until after 1739, when his son, Reuben was born there: he then removed to Grafton and was there September 25, 1746, when he bought of Benjamin Smith, the farm in Hardwick, which became his homestead and came here before Feb 23, 1749, when his daughter Hannah was born. According to, "History of Hardwick, Massachusetts, with a Genealogical Register, by Lucius R. Paige, pg. 370, James married first, Lydia Child of Watertown, MA. They had 9 [12] children and she died at Hardwick. Then he married Prudence --??-- Whipple, widow of Ebenezer Whipple, published September 13, 1760. In his will, July 13, 1774, he names all his children, except Lucy, to whose son Solomon Farr and daughter, Lydia Farr legacies are given. He resided on the old River Road, at the place marked "A. Rice" on the Ruggles Map**. He was a farmer, a bone-setter and a deacon of the Separate Church. He was denounced as a Tory, but forgiven and died in peace June 12, 1777 at nearly 70 years of age.

The above was taken from the book "History of Hardwick, Massachusetts, with a Genealogical Register, by Lucius R. Paige. Published 1883, by Houghton, Mifflin and Company. Son of John & Elizabeth (Wellington) Fay II and h/o Lydia (Child) Fay. He m: Lydia on Dec 09, 1727, in Westboro, MA.

James Fay origin can be found in Westboro, MA - a region where various sons from John Fay established Marlborough, Eastboro, etc. He migrated from Westboro to Grafton, settled 1746 in Hardwick, MA where he died 12 June 1777.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Feb 9 2023, 16:48:27 UTC