USA > Vermont > Genealogical and family history of the state of Vermont; a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Vol I > Part 106
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Ebenezer Gay (5), eldest son of Hezekiah and Elizabeth Gay, was born June 2, 1747. He was a farmer by occupation and resided in what is known as the Sawyer district in the town of
Thompson, Windham county, Connecticut. On August 12, 1785, he married Mrs. Susanna Fuller, who was born November 18, 1750. Their chil- dren were: Hezekiah, born April 9, 1786, in the town of Thompson, Windham county, Connecti- cut, died October 29, 1869; Nabbie, born March 8, 1789, died January 12, 1864, and Esther, born March 9, 1791, died September 22, 1827. The fa- ther of these children died July 8, 1820, and his wife passed away June 18, 1833; their remains were interred in the cemetery at West Thompson, Connecticut.
Hezekiah Gay (6), eldest son of Ebenezer and Susanna Gay, was born April 9, 1786, on the old homestead in Thompson, Windham county, Con- necticut, where he followed the occupation of his forefathers, that of farming ; he served in the war of 1812, was an active and public-spirited citizen, and held membership for many years in the Bap- tist church. He was united in marriage to Anna Gleason, a native of Thompson, Windham county, her birth occurring August 6, 1789. Mr. Gay died October 29, 1869; his wife died April 30, 1868, and their remains were interred in Putnam Heights cemetery, Putnam, Connecticut. Their children were William, Harriet A., Frances A., Joseph F., Horace, Henry, Mary and George T. Gay.
I. William Gay, born November 8, 18II, mar- ried Eliza Gudell, who was born April 10, 1799, and died October 17, 1854. They were the parents of one child, Mary E. Gay. For his second wife, William Gay married Mrs. Sarah Savery, born January 27, 1828, died August 3, 1868, and their children were: Myron; William B., born May 26, 1856; George, born May 29, 1859, and Ed- ward, born June 3, 1861.
2. Harriet A. Gay, born February 15. 1814, married William Smith. They had one child, Henry Smith, born April 6, 1836, died June 2, 1855. After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Smith was united in marriage to Stephen Brown, who was born May 9, 1803, and died June 19, 1882. Her death occurred November 19, 1891. They were both members of the Baptist church in Thompson, Windham county, Connecticut.
3. Frances A. Gay, born February 25. 1816. married for her first husband Dennis Salisbury, and after his decease married, January 4. 1859. Stephen Johnson, who was born January 31. ISI5.
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Mr. Johnson died Jannary 31, 1885, and his wife, who was a member of the Baptist church, passed away April 29, 1893.
4. Joseph F. Gay was born September 12, 1818, in Thompson, Connecticut. He received a commion school education and learned the trade of a spinner in the cotton mills at Mechanicsville, Webster and Killingly, Massachusetts, and fol- lowed his trade for seventeen years. He then re- moved to Tunbridge, Vermont, where lie and his two sons, Joseph Stearns and Orrin A., estab- lished a mill for the manufacture of woolen goods, satinets and yarns. In 1887, with his son, Joseph Stearns (Orrin having died), Mr. Gay removed to Cavendish, Vermont, where they conducted a mill with much success. In 1890 Mr. Gay re- tired from the business, which is now conducted by his two sons. In politics Mr. Gay has always been a Republican, his first vote having been cast for William Henry Harrison, and, though a man of decided views in regard to public affairs, he has always refused offices. He was formerly a member of the Good Templars, and from eight- een years of age until forty was a member of an artillery company in the Connecticut militia. He is a member of the Free Will Baptist church, and formerly took an active part. He married, July 26, 1840, Louise, daughter of James and Anna (Lamb) Roberts, of Chelsea, and their children were: I. Helen L., born March 23, 1843, wife of J. M. Cunningham, to whom were born Alice, Daniel and Charles. 2. Joseph Stearns, men- tioned at length hereinafter. 3. Orrin A., born August 4, 1846, at Thompson, Connecticut, was educated at the North Scituate (Rhode Island) high school and became engaged in business with his father. He was an active and zealous Chris- tian, belonging to the Free Will Baptist church; he married Stella Richardson, and their children are: Clarence, Grace and Ola ; he died at Tun- bridge, March 14, 1887. 4. Jason R., born at Thompson, May 14, 1848, was educated in the common schools and high school of Putnam, was reared in the woolen business, and at the present time has charge of the looms in the mills, and is a practical wool-worker ; he married Etta Snow, and they have no children. 5. Jane R., born December 7, 1850, married Eugene Sleeper, a farmer of Tunbridge; he served in the Civil war, participated in many engagements, including that
of Bull Run, was captured and confined thirteen months in Andersonville prison. Their children are Bertha, Elgia, deceased, Edna and Ernest. 6. Henry C., born February 22, 1853, at Thomp- son, is a machinist and carder by trade, and re- sides at Barton, Vermont ; lie married Mary Katen and they have one child, Mabel. 7. Charles D., born at Putnam, December 17, 1855, was a grad- uate of Randolph Normal School and is one of the owners of the mills operated by Gay Brothers Company : he is a deacon and active worker in the Baptist church ; he married Lcafie Paul, of Chel- sea, and they have two adopted children, Benja- min and Ruth. 8. James E., born February 7, 1859, a graduate of Randolph Normal School, and of the Agricultural College and School of Mechanical Arts of Dartmouth College; he was for a time engaged in teaching, and is now treas- urer of the firm of Gay Brothers, and in 1900 was first selectman of Cavendish; he married for his first wife Belle Swan, who died June 21, 1901, and by her had one child, Floyd S., and for his sec- ond wife Mertie Wright, of San Francisco, Cali- fornia. 9. Emma A., born December 7, 1861, at Putnam, Connecticut, married Frederick Tut- tle, a machinist, resides at Hartford, Connecticut, and has two children, Blanche and Inez. 10. Hat- tie F., born June 6, 1864, at Burrillville, Rhode Island, graduated at Randolph Normal School and was a teacher, having taught thirty-four terms, twenty-one of which were in the same dis- trict. At the present time she is bookkeeper for the Gay Brothers' Company; she married Aura Austin, a farmer, who is connected with the busi- ness of Gay Brothers in an outside capacity. The mother of these children died January 18, 1890, survived by her husband, who is now residing in Cavendish, Vermont.
5. Horace Gay, born October II, 1820, was a carpenter by trade, and served as a private dur- ing the Civil war ; he enlisted in 1861 and served during that year, also during the years 1862 and 1863. He was united in marriage to Sarah Stone, who was born June 18, 1823. Their chil- dren were: Charles H., born September 5, 1845, died September 21, 1845; Sarah E., born Octo- ber 9, 1848; Anna M., born February 28, 1852; Otis B., born May 3, 1856; Ernest L., born Sep- tember 5, 1859; Adah E., born April 21, 1861. Most of these children settled in Southbridge,
Joseph & Gray
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Masachusetts. Horace Gay died December 6, 1896; his wife passed away June 23, 1895.
6. Henry Gay, born July 23, 1824, died Jan- uary 26, 1825.
7. Mary Gay, born June 25, 1825, was united in marriage, November 26, 1854, to Alphonso P. Williams, who was born September 10, 1828. Mr. Williams was a prominent citizen of West Glou- cester, Rhode Island, where for many years he was engaged in the lumber business, making shin- gles and cloth boards ; he was also engaged in the carpentering trade. Their children were Alphon- so L., born June 19, 1858, died August 25, 1891 ; Mary E., born November II, 1859, and Frank C., born December 8, 1863, died June II, 1873. The death of Mr. Williams occurred December 29, 1902 ; his wife died April 20, 1894.
8. George T. Gay, born February 16, 1829, married, October 8, 1864, Julia Amington, and their children were: Cora B., born April 9, 1870; George, born August 1, 1868; Herbert, born April 3, 1873 ; Minnie, born December 24, 1874; Flora D., born March 31, 1876, died July 7, 1895 ; Ev- erett, born September 24, 1878; Estella, born January II, 1880, died in January, 1900; Ethel, born May II, 1883; Jennie, born December 20, 1884, died June 30, 1886, and Lily B., born Au- gust 29, 1889.
Joseph Stearns Gay, second child and eldest son of Joseph F. and Louise (Roberts) Gay, was born November 25, 1844, at Thompson, Con- necticut. He was educated at the North Scituate (Rhode Island) high school, and at an early age entered his father's mill to learn the business of woolen manufacture, and later was associated with his father and brother Orrin in the business at Tunbridge. On removing to Cavendish, the firm, which was then styled J. F. & J. S. Gay, found manufacturing in that place in a very de- pressed condition. The two woolen mills which had been the support of the village had been de- stroyed by fire, with the exception of the portion built of brick. This part was, by the exertions of a few public-spirited men, purchased and present- ed to the firm, under an exemption from town taxation for a term of years. The business pros- pered, and the financial condition of the village improved in consequence.
In January, 1890, Charles D. and James E. Gay bought the interest of their father, and in
1897 the business was incorporated under the laws of Vermont, as the Gay Brothers' Company, with Joseph Stearns Gay as president, Charles D. Gay as vice president, and James E. Gay as treasurer. The business increased continually, and in the spring of 1900 it was found necessary to erect a large addition one hundred by forty-three feet, and four stories high. The mill is run day and night, a perpetual beehive of industry. The power is obtained from Black river, which the company utilizes to the best advantage by a pair of the Jolly horizontal water-wheels which have been recently set, steam being also used as an auxiliary. Sixty-six looms are now at work, which turn out seventy thousand yards per month of high grade Meltons and fine satinets, which command a ready market on their merits. The firm at first employed about twenty hands, but the number lias now risen to one hundred. Prac- tically all the employes are native-born Americans, many of them own houses, and some have money in the savings bank. The principles of temper- ance and morality are inculcated by precept and example, and by the rules of the establishment it is well understood that a case of intoxication is cause for immediate dismissal. The result of this policy is the retaining of an exceptionally able and intelligent class of employes. When the Gay Brothers came to Cavendish there were in the village fourteen vacant tenements : these are now all occupied, as are also others which have been built by the firm. They have thoroughly reno- vated seven of their houses, an example which has borne fruit, and have recently erected, oppo- site the mill, a handsome eight tenement block, which is occupied. This prosperity and success are undoubtedly owing to the energy, ability and untiring assiduity of the president of the com- pany, who brought to his position the fruits of many years' practical experience, by which a nat- ural aptitude for mechanical pursuits had re- ceived the most thorough cultivation. He was a deacon of the Free Will Baptist church of Tun- bridge.
Mr. Gay married Alice Hubbard. and their children were: Leon Stearns. Olin and Vernice. Like all the other members of the company. Mr. Gay resided in the Cavendish village, but for several years before his death had been in poor health, which had obliged him to spend his winters
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in the south. While there he was taken seriously ill and died while on his way home, March 20, 1002. The funeral took place Sunday afternoon, March 23, at the Baptist church. The Rev. Mr. Dickson, of the Baptist church at Tunbridge, of which Mr. Gay had been a member, officiated and was assisted by the Rev. F. L. Foster, of the Cavendish Baptist church, and the Rev. J. B. Reardon, of Ludlow. Mr. Gay was sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends. Possessed of a kind and generous disposition toward the poor, he was an upright and public-spirited citi- zen, and a thoroughly Christian gentleman.
FREDERICK HORTON FARRINGTON.
Prominent among the residents of Brandon, Vermont, who are actively identified with its in- portant financial and agricultural interests, is Frederick H. Farrington, who was born in his
HOME OF FREDERICK H. FARRINGTON.
present abode in Brandon, December 14, 1851. Jacob Farrington, great-grandfather of Frederick H. Farrington, was a native of Wrentham, Mass- achusetts, and in 1786 removed to Brandon, Ver- mont, and located on the farm at present owned and occupied by the subject of this sketch, where the remainder of his life was spent. The house now occupied by Frederick H. Farrington was built in the summer of 1799 by Hiram Horton, a great-great-uncle, on the maternal side, of Fred- erick H. Farrington.
Captain Daniel Farrington, grandfather of
Frederick H. Farrington, was born in New Ca- naan, Connecticut, May 31, 1773. When but thir- teen years old he accompanied his parents to the new state of Vermont, then called the New Hamp- shire Grants, making their settlement on Otter creek, in the town of Neshobce (now Brandon), one of the best agricultural sections of the state, which derived its name in October, 1784, after it was burned by the Indians, Brandon probably being a contraction of Burnttown. Here young Daniel was engaged for several years in farming, but when he attained the age of twenty-one years he started out on his own account. He first pur- chased one hundred acres of land in Cambridge borough on credit, and by his arduous toil in felling the forest he was able to meet his obliga- tions when they fell due. Shortly afterward he returned to Brandon and entered upon a new life, being called upon to take part in state and national affairs. When the rupture between the United States and Great Britain occurred, Lieutenant Farrington (which title he won in the militia of Brandon), on May 30, 1813, was ordered by the governor of Vermont to go to the line and assist in sustaining the famous "Embargo Law." He was stationed at Wind Mill Point, near Rouse Point. In an early encounter with the smug- gling vessel Black Snake, several men were killed, and Captain Farrington was seriously wounded in both shoulders and about his head, being in- sensible for some time. He continued in active service until the close of the war, and as a re- ward for his bravery was commissioned captain to date from April, 1813. At one time he was struck by a spent ball, which plowed a groove in his scalp and left a dimple in his forehead. In his politics he was a Jacksonian Democrat, and was frequently called upon to serve in the local offices of the town ; he was also a member of the constitutional convention for the revision of the state constitution. Captain Farrington was twice married, his first wife having been Miss Drury, a daughter of Ebenezer Drury, who was a pioneer settler in Pittsford. In 1842 he married Miss Rossiter, and two sons and one daughter were born of the first marriage. Captain Farrington died October 7, 1865, at the age of ninety-two years.
Franklin Farrington, father of Frederick H. Farrington, was born on this farm, September 3,
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1806, and was twice married. On January 23, 1838, he was united in marriage to Adelia Hor- ton, a daughter of Daniel Horton, of Hortonville, Vermont. Their children were: Ella, who mar- ried James K. Polk Campbell, a nephew of James K. Polk; Mrs. Campbell died in Paris, Texas, and was survived by two sons and two daughters. Frankie, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Far- rington, married John W. Morrill, of Chicago, Illinois : they have two sons and one daughter. Their third child was Frederick H. Farrington. The mother of these children died in 1870, aged fifty-two years. Mr. Farrington then married Mrs. Mary S. Denison, nee Stephens. His death occurred in June, 1892, survived by his widow, who is still living.
Frederick H. Farrington attended the graded schools of his native town, where he obtained a practical education. He has always resided on the old homestead, devoting most of his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits, and the breeding of fine Merino sheep, also horses and cattle. Dur- ing this period he was a director of the Vermont Merino Sheep Breeders' Association, and a por- tion of the time its treasurer. He is president of the Brandon Investment & Guarantee Company, and is a stockholder and director in four banks, two national and two savings, located in the towns of Brandon, Rutland, Proctor and Ver- gennes. He is also trustee of funds of estates, which aggregate over two hundred thousand dol- lars. He was chosen assignee of the largest bankrupt estate ever settled up in this section of the state. Mr. Farrington has in his possession some rare relics, among them being his grand- father's commission as captain, issued by Presi- dent James Madison, and James Monroe, who was then secretary of war; their own signatures being attached to the document. He also has the deed of the old homestead, of whichi he is now the proud owner, which was given to his grandfather by Hiram Horton in 1808, the only deed ever made to the present (1903). He has also his grandfather's muster rolls and accounts and receipts kept during the war of 1812. Politi- callv Mr. Farrington is a firm believer in the . principles of the Republican party, and has served at various times in the capacity of road commis- sioner, water commissioner, lister and selectman. He served in both branches of the legislature,
being a member of the judiciary committee and chairman of the committee on banks in the state senate, and in the house he served on the rail- road committee and on the joint committee on asylums. He also served two terms as a member of the state board of cattle commissioners, acting as its chairman, and he was secretary for six years of the Vermont Horse Breeders' Associa- tion, the largest and most successful organization of its kind ever in the United States.
On September 10, 1873, Mr. Farrington mar- ried Miss Ella Reynolds, of Brandon, a daugh -. ter of William W. and Louisa (Kebling) Rey- nolds. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds were the parents of three daughters; the latter named died at the age of twenty-nine years, and Mr. Reynolds then married Lucy Kebling, a sister of his first wife. One daughter was born to them. Isabel, now the wife of Edward S. Marsh, of Brandon. The fol- lowing named children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Farrington : Franklin R., who served five years as assistant bookkeeper in the Howard National Bank, of Burlington, Vermont, and now in the New York office of the Vermont Marble Com- pany; Edward Horton, who died at the age of sixteen months; Wilfred Dyer, who died at the age of ten years ; William Reynolds, who was a student in the Norwich University, of North- field, Vermont, now in Vermont University at Burlington, class of 1903; and Lucy Farrington, who died at the age of eight months.
Mr. Farrington is a member of St. Paul's Lodge, F. & A. M., of Brandon: is a member of Congregational church prudential committee. The ancestral farm where he resides in the village has three hundred and fifty acres, devoted to general farming and raising of horses, cattle and sheep. His father came into this house at the age of three years, and resided there until his death at eighty-seven.
REV. WILLIAM C. CLARK.
One of the most prominent ministers of the Congregational church in this section is Rev. William Colton Clark, pastor of the church of thiat denomination at Hardwick, and who holds a place of influence in the community as well as in his church. He is descended from a long line of noble ancestry. On the paternal side the family
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history is traced back to Thomas Clark, who was born in England in 1599, and came to Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1623, in the ship Anne. His death occurred on the 24th of March, 1697, and his remains were laid to rest on Burial Hill. From Thomas and Susannah Clark the line of descent is traced through James Clark, who was born in 1636, and was married to Abigail Lath- rop in 1657. Their son John Clark chose as his wife Rebecca Lincoln, their wedding being cele- brated on the 14th of May, 1695. Joseph, the son of John and Rebecca Clark, was born in 1704, and on the 29th of December, 1720, he was mar- ried to Thankful Stevens. Among their children was Robert Clark, who for his second wife chose Rebecca Meigs, their marriage occurring at Roch- ester, Massachusetts, August 22, 1764. Their son David was born in that city on the 21st of May, 1767, and in Warren, Massachusetts, on the 3d of May, 1791, he married Betsey Patrick.
David Presbury, the son of David and Betsey (Patrick) Clark, was born in Georgia, Vermont, November 7, 1802, and became a prominent and well known resident of that town. He married Mary Baker, and she, too, was born and reared in Georgia, Vermont, being a daughter of Elijah and Lavinia (White) Baker. The latter was a daughter of John White, also of Georgia, Ver- mont, and who was commonly known as "Judge" White. It is believed that John White was a lineal descendant of William White, a passenger on the Mayflower.
Among the children born to David and Mary (Baker) Clark was Charles Wallace Clark. The town of Georgia was the place of his nativity, his birth occurring on the 25th of October, 1831, and he became a Congregational clergyman. As a preparation for his life work he entered the University of Vermont, in which he graduated in 1855, and three years later he completed the course in the Andover Theological Seminary. His political views were in harmony with the principles set forth by the Republican party, and in 1876 he represented the town of Stockbridge in the legislature. In his native town, on the 23d of October, 1861, he was united in marriage to Harriet Lucretia Colton, who was born in Georgia, January 4, 1838, and was a daughter of Harvey and Harriet ( Fairchild) Colton.
The Coltons belong to an old and honored
family in America, its founder being George Col- ton, who came from Sutton, England, and mar- ried Deboralı Gardner, The next in the line of descent is Thomas Colton, who was born May I, 1651, and on the 17th of December, 1691, in Springfield, Massachusetts, married Hannah Bliss, she being his second wife. Their son Will- iam was born July 7, 1694, and his wife bore the maiden name of Mary Merrick, their wedding having occurred in Springfield on the 24th of January, 1717. Aaron, a son of William and Mary Colton, was born June 13, 1718, and mar- ried Mary Ely on the 17th of November, 1746. Among their children was Walter Colton, who was born in Long Meadow, Massachusetts, Au- gust 25, 1764. He married Thankful Cobb, a daughter of Lieutenant Cobb, who fell by the side of Montgomery at Quebec, and twelve chil- dren were born to them, among the number being : Harvey, who was born in Rutland, Vermont, October 26, 1793; Susan, who married Horace Blair, of Georgia, that state; Walter, chaplain in the United States navy and author of "Three Years in California" and other well known works ; Quintus, who was born in Georgia, Vermont, in 1799 ; and Gardner Quincy, the youngest of the family, born at Georgia in 1814, introduced the use of nitrous oxide, and was the founder of the Colton Dental Association of New York; his death occurred in 1899. Harvey Colton, the fa- ther of Mrs. Clark, was born October 26, 1793, and on the Ist of September, 1825, he wedded Harriet Fairchild, who was born in Georgia, Vermont, March 30, 1802.
The Fairchild family trace their ancestry back to Thomas Fairchild, who was born in Stratford, Connecticut. Stephen F. Fairchild, was born in that city in 1725, and in 1765, at the age of forty years, moved to Arlington, Vermont, and in 1788 took up his abode in Georgia, that state .. He wedded Lavinia Beardsley, who was born in 1726. Joel Fairchild was born in Arlington, Ver- mont, on the 8th of August, 1766, and in 1787, in the town of his birth, he was married to Me- hitable Eastman. Thus it will be seen that on both the maternal and paternal sides the subject of this review is descended from old and honored families.
Rev. William Colton Clark was born in Brigh- ton, Vermont, October 15, 1862. Choosing the
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noble calling which his father had followed as a life work, he began the study of classics in the University of Vermont, in which he was gradu- ated in 1885, and five years later, in 1890, he graduated in the Union Theological Seminary, of New York. Previous to this time, however, in 1881, he had completed the studies in the St. Albans high school. On the 20th of October, 1891, at South Hero, Vermont, he was ordained to the ministry, and from that time until January, 1899, served as pastor of the Congregational church of South Hero and Grand Isle. Since the Ist of January, 1900, he has been located at Hard- wick, and here he has had a most successful pas- torate, his labors being fruitful of good and widely appreciated. While a resident of South Hero he served as superintendent of the public schools, and the cause of education has always found in him a warm friend.
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