Bennington

FAY, Stephen

Vermont Historical Magazine, No XI, October 1867, p 171 (extracted from a 
section dealing with the history of Bennington)

Stephen FAY came from Hardwick [Worcester County], Massachusetts, about 1766, 
kept a public house in the center of the town [Bennington, Bennington County, 
Vermont], known in the language of the time as "Landlord Fays." The house 
built by him is still standing and occupied by his grandson, Samuel FAY. It 
was the usual place of meeting of the settlers in their early contest with 
the Yorkers, and known as their headquarters. Ethan ALLEN made it his home 
for a great portion of the time for several years from 1770, when he first 
came to the New Hampshire grants. Mr. FAY occupied an influential position 
among the early inhabitants of the town, and [Stephen FAY] died in 1781. He 
had ten children in the order of their ages as follows: (1) John, the 
oldest, who was killed at the Battle of Bennington 16 August 1777, aged 
forty-three, left a widow and children and many of his descendants are now 
living in he northern part of Vermont. [From page 636: "John FAY was killed 
at the battle of Bennington 16 August 1777, and was at the time of his death 
chairman of the Committee of Safety [aka Council of Safety], and with his 
brothers, Jonas, Joseph, and David, an active patriot during the American 
Revolution, and deeply engaged in the controversy between the colony of New 
York and the Green Mountain Boys." See also the Chittenden County, Vermont, 
biography of John FAY's grandson, Timothy FOLLETT.] (2) James, the second 
son; (3) Stephen, who died at Charlestown [Suffolk County], Massachusetts; 
(4) Mary, married to Gov. Moses ROBINSON; (5) Sarah, married to Gen. David 
ROBINSON; (6) Elijah, died in Bennington 05 July 1835, aged eighty-five; (7) 
Beulah married to Samuel BILLINGS of Bennington; (8) Benjamin, born 22 
November 1750, was the first Sheriff appointed in the County and State and 
held the office from 26 March 1778 until October 1781, and [Benjamin FAY] 
died in 1780. He left several children among whom was Samuel FAY (mentioned 
above), born 16 August 1779, and who has been more particularly spoken of in 
the sketch of the town. The other children of Stephen FAY were (9) Joseph 
and (10) David.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly