Biographical Information about the FAY Family,
Westfield, Chautauqua Co. NY
From Centennial History, First Presbyterian Church, Westfield, New York, 1808-1908", pub. April 1910.
pp. 12-13: The year of James Montgomery's marriage [1805] brought to that part of of Portland now known as Westfield a lad of twelve years, John Fay, who, at the age of twenty bought and settled upon the farm owned by the late Mr. Robert M. Hall. The land was heavily timbered, a clearing was made and a house built. This finished, Mr. Fay brought to the log house his young wife, Nancy McClintock, the daughter of Thomas McClintock, a pioneer of the county who then owned a large portion of the "east side" site of the village. Mr. Fay was an original member of the reorganized church in which, in 1832, he was chosen an elder.
Only one farm lay between Mr. Fay's and Mr. Montgomery's. When later, the owner of this middle farm, Mr. Asa Hall, was chosen an Elder, the settlement was known as "Deaconville."
Mr. Fay's was a deeply spiritual nature. From boyhood he had meditated on Bible truths. In him a living faith was ever manifest. Mrs. Fay died in 1861. Not long after the family removed to Fulton, Ill., where a son and daughter still reside.
p. 36: In the fall of 1865, Deacon John Fay, who had been an Elder for over thirty years, removed with his family to Fulton, Ill. In all these years Deacon Fay had been one of the stand-bys of the church, conscientious in all things, constant to every call, persistent in every duty, he worked on and on unconscious that he was doing anything more than the simple work that naturally fell to him. He was an earnest, pious man, an example of righteous living. He died in Fulton, Ill., and was buried in Westfield beside his wife, a woman grand in physique, strong of intellect, joyous in life, full of humor and warm of heart toward every one who came within her circle of acquaintance. Deacon Fay was supported by her in every christian duty which came to him in his long connection as an officer in the church. The members of the Fay family all became active members of the church and in their new home in Fulton, Ill., became and yet continue to be leading members of the Presbyterian church of that place.
The following are entries from the diaries of Robert McKee Mateer of Westfield, NY. (I have not transcribed very many of them.) He was also associated with the Presbyterian church for a long time.
Sat. June 20, 1868...Deacon Fay's remains expected on the 5 OClock train...
Tues. June 23, 1868...in the evening I saw Mart Fay for the first time in the market
Wed. June 24, 1868...Eliza Fay called this afternoon
Mon. July 6, 1868...Mart Fay borrowed my buggy and harness this afternoon to go to Harbor creek
Sat. July 11, 1868...Mart Fay his wife and her sister visiting with us this afternoon
Wed. Sept. 5, 1883...Jane & I were invited to F. A. Halls for dinner to visit with Mrs. Dickson formerly Eliza Fay - Jane went.
The following are entries from the membership records of the Presbyterian Church:
John Fay, 1817
Nancy Fay, 1818
Nathan Fay, 1820
Polly Fay, 1834
Harriet Fay, 1834
Eliza Fay, 1845
Martin J. Fay, 1855
Mrs. John Fay, 1872
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