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Nehemiah Fay was born 1 December 1776 in Athol, Worcester County, Massachusetts to Joseph Fay (1741-1824) and Abigail Twitchell (1752-1827) and died 23 May 1856 Little Valley, Cattaraugus County, New York of unspecified causes. He married Achsah Stratton (1772-1870) 1803 in Athol, Worcester County, Massachusetts.


Biography

Nehemiah Fay was educated in the district school, and in his youthful manhood spent several years traveling about the country, threshing, etc. He was a natural musician with a good voice and a great fund of anecdote. This made him a welcome visitor everywhere.

War of 1812 Service

Nehemiah was a member of the militia and served during th War of 1812 at Boston, when that city was believed to be in danger of attack.

Farming at Boston Corners

In 1815, in company with his brother Benjamin, he removed to Boston Corners, near Springville, Erie County, New York, where he cleared a farm and resided there until 1837. The journey was made with ox teams, and family tradition says the journey consumed but little over a month's time.

He worked a shingle making, continuing this work until almost the day of his death. In his later years he became almost blind. As an old man he retained his love of song, anecdote and jest, and was a favorite among the children and young people.

Move to Cattaraugus County

In 1837, Nehemiah sold his interest in the farm at Boston Corners to his brother and moved to Little Valley, Cattauraugus County, New York. A few years later he moved to Great Valley.

In 1849 he went to Illinois, but soon returned to Little Valley.


He always maintained that when he should lose his voice he would be ready to die. During his last illness he awoke one morning to find his voice almost gone. Turning to his daughter-in-law he said, "Lecta, I can't live long, I can't sing any more." Before night he breathed his last.

An industrious man was Nehemiah, kind-hearted, and with a host of friends and no enemies.


Marriage & Family

Marriage to Achsah Stratton (1772-1870) on New Salem MA in 1803. She survived Nehemiah by 14 years.

  1. Abigail Fay (1803-) - md Obadiah Russell - 9 children
  2. Fanny Fay (1808-c1850) - born in Athol MA / died in Great Valley NY
  3. James S Fay (1810-1890) - md Mary Ferry - 6 children
  4. Aleander Fay (1816-1903) - Civil War Veteran - 94th New York Regt. - 7 children



Children


Offspring of Nehemiah Fay and Achsah Stratton (1772-1870)
Name Birth Death Joined with
Abigail Fay (1803-)
Fanny Fay (1808-1808)
James Fay (1810-1890)
Aleander Fay (1816-1903) 29 September 1816 Concord, Erie County, New York 1903 Electa Clement (1814-1886)
Mary Chase



Siblings


Offspring of Joseph Fay (1741-1824) and Abigail Twitchell (1752-1827)
Name Birth Death Joined with
Josiah Fay (1774-1834)
Nehemiah Fay (1776-1856) 1 December 1776 Athol, Worcester County, Massachusetts 23 May 1856 Little Valley, Cattaraugus County, New York Achsah Stratton (1772-1870)
Dorothy Fay (1778-1833)
Mahtilda Fay (1780-1856)
Benjamin Franklin Fay (1783-1863)
Abigail Fay (1785-1810)
Sarah Fay (1788-)
Seth Fay (1790-)
Hannah Fay (1792-1826)
Lucinda Fay (1793-1856)


References

  1. Genealogical and Family History of Western New York: Vol II by W.R. Cutter - page 662-665 / Free on Google Books
  2. John Fay 1641 List of Famous Descendants

Residences

Footnotes (including sources)

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