BIOGRAPHY OF HON. ALPHEUS GAY of Manchester NH Also GENEALOGICAL INFORMATION OF THE GAY FAMILY OF FRANCESTOWN NH & MASSACHUSETTS ---------------------------------- Information located at http://www.nh.searchroots.com/Manchester On a web site about GENEALOGY AND HISTORY OF MANCHESTER NEW HAMPSHIRE TRANSCRIBED BY JANICE BROWN Please see the web site for my email contact. ---------------------------------- The original source of this information is in the public domain, however use of this text file, other than for personal use, is restricted without written permission from the transcriber (who has edited, compiled and added new copyrighted text to same). ======================================================== SOURCES: 1) History of Francestown, N.H. : from its earliest settlement April, 1758, to January 1, 1891 : with a brief genealogical record of all the Francestown families by W. R. Cochrane; Francestown, N.H.: The town, 1895, page 721 3)Willey's semi-centennial book of Manchester, 1846-1896 : and Manchester edition of the Book of Nutfield : historic sketches of that part of New Hampshire comprised within the limits of the old Tyng Township, Nutfield, Harrytown, Derryfield, and Manchester, from the earliest settlements to the present time Manchester, N.H.: G.F. Willey, 1896, 366 pgs. by George Franklyn Willey 4) History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire Philadelphia: J.W. Lewis & Co., 1885, 878 pgs. page 67 5) History of Bedford, New Hampshire from 1737 : being statistics compiled on the occasion of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town, May 15, 1900; Bedford, N.H.: The town, 1903 ********** BIOGRAPHY OF HON. ALPHEUS GAY ********** From: Willey's semi-centennial book of Manchester, 1846-1896 : and Manchester edition of the Book of Nutfield : historic sketches of that part of New Hampshire comprised within the limits of the old Tyng Township, Nutfield, Harrytown, Derryfield, and Manchester, from the earliest settlements to the present time Manchester, N.H.: G.F. Willey, 1896, 366 pgs. by George Franklyn Willey ---------------- Hon. Alpheus Gay, son of Alpheus and Susannah (Scobey) Gay, was born in Francestown May 14, 1819, hi father being a native of Dedham, Mass. Having acquired an education in the district schools and at the Francestown academy, at the age of fifteen he began working at the carpenter's trade with his father. Three years later he taught school in New Boston, and followed teaching at Francestown for several winters. Coming to Manchester in 1841, he worked at the carpenter's trade until 1850, when he became a contractor and builder. He has built many of the best and largest business blocks, public buildings and churches in the city, including the city library, court house, jail, industrial school, the High, Ash, Lincoln and Franklin-street schoolhouses, St. Joseph's cathedral, Grace church, and also many private residences. In 1886 he was appointed superintendent of the construction of the government building, which was completed under his care and direction. Mr. Gay has been a life-long Democrat, and has the high honor of being one of the few Democrat mayors of the city, having been elected to that position in 1875. He has been a member of the board of water commissioners since its organization in 1871, and for many years has been president of the board. He is also president of the Citizen's Building and Loan Association and vice president of the Bank of New Hampshire, and held other similiar positions of responsibility. Recently he was a member of the building committee of the new state normal school at Plymouth. Mr. Gay is past master of Lafayette lodge, A.F. and A.M., a member of Trinity commandery, K.T., and of the Mystic Shrine. He attends the Unitarian church, and is a member of the Granite State club. Nov. 25, 1845, Mr. Gay married Miss Theda G. Fisher, daughter of Richard and Pauline (Crampbell) Fisher of Francestown, who died Aug. 17, 1885. They had four children, two of whom survive: Anna M., who resides with her father, and Frank A. of the engineering firm of Bartlett & Gay, Manchester. ********** GAY FAMILY GENEALOGY ********** Source: History of Francestown, N.H. : from its earliest settlement April, 1758, to January 1, 1891 : with a brief genealogical record of all the Francestown families by W. R. Cochrane; Francestown, N.H.: The town, 1895, page 721 GAY JOHN GAY came to America in the ship "Mary & John" in 1630. They arrived May 30th and were landed at Nantasket, "an unknown wilderness", though the captain had engaged to bring them up Charles River. They soon found it necessary to separate the larger part settling at a place called by the Indians "Mattapan." The others, among whom was John Gay, proceeded up Charles River. At Charlestown, they found wigwams and Indian families, and "one house inhabited by white persons," among whom was one who could "speak the Indian language." This man they "engaged as an interpreter," and pressed on "as far as low tide would allow" and landed at "a well watered place," near where the U.S. Arsenal now stands in Watertown. Here they found an "encampment of about 300 Indians," and, being not a little alarmed, they sent their interpreter to "declare their peaceful intentions," whereupon the Indians gave them fish, "a bass for a buiscuit". Here, therefore, they remained and are called the "first settlers of Watertown." Among them, John Gay was a "grantee of the Great Dividents" and in the "Beaver Brook Plow-lands." A few years later, Gay and 18 others pushed further up the river and settled a "plantation," which they called "Contentment." This was subsequently incorporated under the name of Dedham, and from it several families came to Francestown [NH] more than a century afterwards. John Gay signed the "Petition for Incorporation," Sept. 6, 1636; was one of the proprietors of the town; was one of the selectmen in 1664; and died March 4, 1688. His wife, Joanna, died Aug. 14, 1691. They had eleven children, of whom, Samuel, was born March 1639, and d. Apr. 18, 1718. TImothy, son of this Samuel, was born July 15, 1674, and died May 20, 1719. Timothy, son of this Timothy, was born Dec. 29, 1703, and died May 29, 1793. This second Timothy was father of a third Timothy, who was b. July 29, 1733. This last named was the fifth this side the water (Timothy-5, Timothy-4, Timothy-3, Samuel-2, John-1) and was the father of Ebenezer and Ichabod. Ebenezer, the elder of these, settled in Deering, near Cork Plain, and was father of a large family, among them Ira and Ziba, who were well known machinists and builders in Nashua, where they lived and died. The younger brother, Ichabod Gay, the first of the name in Francestown, was b. in Dedham, Mass., July 23, 1765; m. Ruth Billings, Jan. 1, 1788; bought a farm here in 1794, but it is not probable that he occupied it, as he bought another in 1795 "lying upon the East side of the road leading from Eben Everett to Isaac Lewis." On this he settled in the spring of 1796, and remained during life. Is described "a man of medium stature, industrious and of a genial disposition." He died June 20, 1824. His wife died, Feb. 2, 1831. Children: 1. Azel, b. in Dedham MA Sept. 17, 1788, d. July 17, 1791. 2. Alpheus, b. in Dedham MA, June 13, 1790, m. Susannah Scoby, Dec. 7, 1814; lived at the "foot of the hill" south of Haunted Lake; was a carpenter and builder by trade; was highly respected by all; several times selectman and chairman of the board in 1837; moved to Manchester in 1841; d. there Nov. 1, 1859. His wife survived him and reached the age of 80 years dying Aug 1872. Children: (1) Azel, b. Sep 22, 1815, went to Rochester NY, d. there, Aug 23, 1873, m. Sabrina Buck, left four children, Susan M., Charles H., Edgar A. and Frank W.; (2) Mary, b. 12 Sep 1817, unmarried? lived in Boston MA; (3) Hon. Alpheus Jr., b. May 14, 1819; m. Theda G. Fisher of Francestown NH Nov 25, 1845; was for many years a leading carpenter and builder in Manchester, going there in 1841, in the infancy of that city. He helped build the first mill of the Amoskeag Co., and has superintended the erection of nearly all the large public buildings to the present time. "The many public buildings he has erected in Manchester are a monument to his industry and skill." Mr. Gay is a Democrat in politics; was Mayor of the city in 1874; has been President of Water Commissioners many years, President of the Amoskeag Fire Insurance Co; Director of New Hampshire Trust Co., and also of the Granite State Trust Co. Mr. Gay has also had a reputation as a musician. The writer remembers his almost perfect voice in the choirs of Manchester forty years ago. Was sought after far and wide as a solo singer in musical festivals and special church occasions. Was a member of the celebrated "Dignam's Band." Is a man of sound, practical judgment, public spirited, social, generous and loved and honored in the city where he has so long been prominent. His education was gained in the schools and Academy of his native town. Was a teacher in this and other towns in his early manhood, and in all places of trust and responsibility he has been considered a faithful man, doing credit to the place of his birth. Francestown counts him among the most honorable of her sons. His wife passed on being him, August 17, 1885; their surviving children being, Anna M., Frank A. who m. Myrtie Drake of Lake Village); (4) Susan A., b Aug 1821, d. March 1823; (5) Susan A., b. Jan 20, 1827, unm., lives in Boston; (6) Sarah, b. Jan 20, 1827, unm, lives in Manchester; (7) Cynthia, b. 28 Oct 1828, m. Matthew Forsaith of Manchester who d. in 1881. They had one son, Frank M.; (8) Charles, b. Jan 11, 1831, went to California in 1852, went into the gold mines and was murdered by the Indians there in 1861; (9) Martha, b. June 17, 1833, m. Samuel W. Mason of Boston, son of Hon. Larkin D. Mason of Tamworth, and d. in Manchester Aug. 23, 1884. Left one child, Annie E., born in 1862 and d. in 1886 in Feb. Had m. W.E. Haskell, Nov. 1884. 3. Cynthia, b. Sep 22, 1792, m. Saville Starrett, Feb. 13, 1816; d. May 9, 1882, see Starrett family 4. Timothy, b. in Stoughton Mass Sept 25, 1795; m. Mehitable Peabody of Derry, October 2, 1817; d. in Boston MA, Nov. 26, 1864; resided in this town from 1796 to 18140, when he moved to Nashua, and thence to Boston MA in 1849, where he established the firm of "Timothy Gay & Co.," and continued business till near the end of life. WHen a young man he entered the Brick Store as clerk for William Bixby, and about 1825 succeeded Bixby in business by the good will and assistnace of the latter. Taking Paul H. Bixby as partner they traded until 1832, under firm name of Gay & Bixby. He then purchased the house and store occupied by Alfred Fairbanks (known as Gay store, now Tobie dwelling house) where he carried on business in his own name. Soon after he was appointed Post-master and held the office until his removal from town. Mr. Gay was successful in business; "his strict honesty was proverbial"; was a genial, kindly "gentleman of the old school"; and his removal to Nashua was justly considered a serious loss to this community. His children were: (1) Timothy, b. June 22, 1818, d. June 28, 1818; (2) Milton, b. Apr 26, 1820, d. Oct 24, 1826; (3) Deacon Albert, b. Aug 5, 1822, when through the usual course in the district school and Academy in Francestown, and attended the Kimball Union Academy, Meriden in 1840, with the intention of taking a collegiate course. His plan was interrupted after one term by his father's desire for his assistance in the mercantile business in Nashua, to which town he moved in 1841. He was at first book-keeper, and in 1847 became parter in the business with his father under the firm of Timothy Gay & SOn. IN 1849 he removed to Boston, where the same firm established the flour business. One year later, George F. Guild formerly of Francestown was associated with them under the firm of Timothy Gay & Co., Wholesale Grocers. This firm has continued business at 18 India St. to this time (1894), Albert Gay having been for the last fourteen years senior partner. He married Nov. 26, 1863 Ellen M. Spalding, daughter of Capt. Ira Spalding of Merrimack NH. Their children are:--Charles Albert, b. April 30, 1865; Alice Marion, b. March 12, 1867; Helen Spalding, b. Jan 8, 1871. Mr. Gay was a member of the Boston City Council in 1869 and 1870. He has always been an advocate for liberal improvements and as such he voted for the extension of Washington Street from Cornhill to Haymarket Square, also for the laying out of Scollay Square by removing a block of buildings in the centre of it. He has also labored many years to bring about the improvements lately inaugurated in the city of Newton, in streets, parks and sewerage. His personal efforts recused and planned Montgomery Park, near his residence in Boston. To Philanthropic works, he has devoted much labor. He has been associated a long time with the Boston City Missionary Society as one of its directors, and also is director of the Boston Industrial Home. As treasurer and deacon of Union Church, he has dispensed its charities and otherwise helped those in need. His study, as an amateur artist, in the spare hours of his busy life, enabled him to produce, among other works, a portrait of his former pastor, Rev. Dr. Nehemiah Adams, which hangs in the chapel of Union Church, Boston. His interest in the history of Francestown has been from its inception, and toward it he has given liberally of time and labor and money. The Map of Society Land, and several engravings and views are a gift from him; (4) Augustine Milton, b. Nov 15, 1827, m. Clara K. Willey July 26, 1860; died in Boston, Nov. 3, 1876; studied at Phillips Academy, Andover; went to Amherst College, graduating there as Valedictorian in the class of 1850; then was ten years Master of the High School of the city of Charlestown, Mass; then of a Young Ladies' School in Boston two years; then travelled extensively in Europe; returning in 1865, he taught in the city schools, gradually rising until he became Head Master of the Boston Latin School, and this most honorable position he held at the time of his death. Greatly loved as a man, he ranked among the very highest as a scholar and a teacher. (5) George Frederick, b. Oct 9, 1830, d. from the kick of a horse, May 31, 1837; a child that was a special favorite in the village. Dr. Bard wrote a beautiful obituary, which was published in the Amherst Cabinet, June 1831; (6) Jane Maria, b. Apr 9, 1833; m. J.H. Harrington of Revere Mass, d. Nov 7, 1881; (7) George Frederick, b. Sept. 20, 1835; m. Louisa M. Parker of Boston, Nov 15, 1865; in mercantile business in Boston MA; has one child, Frederick Parker, b. July 22, 1874. 5. Sally, b. in Francestown Jan 22, 1799, m. Elisha Vose, Jan 20, 1824; see Vose family 6. Polly, b. Feb 3, 1802, d. Oct 23, 1803 7. Joel, b. Aug 15, 1804; m. Sarah Fisher, May 6, 1828; d. March 20, 1848; was known throughout this vicinity for his fine musical talents; spent his best years teaching singing schools; his death at the gae of 43 was felt as a public affliction and loss. His wife followed Feb 15, 1858. Children: (1) James Henry, b. Nov 5, 1830, d. May 7, 1852; (2) Harriet Augusta, b. Feb 18, 1834, d. July 4, 1852; (3) Thomas F., b. Oct 1836, resides in Pittsfield; (4) Levi B., b. July 1, 1838, went to Nashua 1853, m. Nettie A. Kenney, Oct 18, 1860, moved to Boston 1865 where he was in business nearly 30 years, resided the last 25 years in the city of Newton, near Boston, d. in Newton Dec. 20, 1893. Mr. Gay was the owner of "Hotel Huntington," Boston, and was publisher of the "Banker and Tradesman." Was a prominent member of the Elliott Church, Newton. Left children--Fred A. who was b. March 12, 1862 and Harry A who was b. Aug 4, 1870; (5) Lucy Ellen, b. Dec. 7, 1840, d. Sep 30, 1848. 8. Nancy, b. May 16, 1808; m. Eben W. Barnes; lived in Deering; had a large family, now all gone from that town into various parts of the land. From: History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire; Philadelphia: J.W. Lewis & Co., 1885, page 67 First National Bank [inc under Merrimack River Bank] 1855 board of grantees included Alpheus Gay Jr. From: History of Bedford, New Hampshire from 1737 : being statistics compiled on the occasion of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town, May 15, 1900; Bedford, N.H.: The town, 1903 Hon. Alpheus Gay contractor and builder of the Bedford Town Hall in 1876. At the opening ceremonies, Hon. Alpheus Gay presented the keys of the building to the building committee. (end)