Fay, Frank (Judge)
JUDGE FRANK S. FAY

     Judge Frank S. Fay, the dean of the legal fraternity in Meriden, who in July, 1917, retired from the bench of the city and police courts after fourteen years of nearly continuous service thereon, was born in Marlborough, Massachusetts, September 26, 1848, and traces his ancestry back through six generations to John Fay, who was born in England about 1648 and became the progenitor of the family in the new world. He sailed from Gravesend on the ship Speedwell in 1651, landing at Boston in June of that year. He made his way at once to Sudbury, where he had relatives living, but as early as 1669 he was at Marlborough, where are recorded the births of his children. He afterward removed to Watertown, where he buried his wife and one of his sons. He first wedded Mary Brigham and in 1678 he married Mrs. Susanna Morse, who was born in 1643 and was the widow of Joseph Morse and a daughter of William Shattuck, of Watertown. It seems that John Fay removed from Marlborough to Watertown as a measure of safety from attack by the Indians and after the return of peace, following the close of King Philip's war, he returned to Marlborough, where he passed away in 1690. His son, John Fay II, was born in Marlborough, November 30, 1669, and on the 1st of December, 1690, was married to Elizabeth Wellington, who was born December 29, 1673, her parents being Benjamin and Elizabeth (Sweetman) Wellington. Her death occurred in March, 1729, and John Fay afterward married Levinah Brigham on the 16th of December, 1729. They made their home in that part of Marlborough which afterward became Westborough and following the incorporation of the latter place, Mr. Fay became one of its prominent citizens and was called to serve in several public offices. He died in 1747, while his wife survived him until March 8, 1749.

     John Fay III was born December 5, 1700, and on the 17th of April, 1721, married Hannah Child. He died November 10, 1732, and his widow later became the wife of Samuel Lyscomb, of Southborough. The ancestor of Frank S. Fay in the fourth generation was Josiah Fay, who was born February 4, 1731, and on the 22d of March, 1757, wedded Mary Bent, who was born April 18, 1737, a daughter of Peter Bent, of Marlborough. She became the mother of nine children and passed away in 1831, when almost one hundred years of age. She had long survived her husband, who died August 8, 1776. About 1750 he had become a resident of Southborough, Massachusetts, and the following year was sergeant in the expedition to Crown Point. He served as warden in 1769 and as selectman in 1770, 1771 and 1775. He was a member of the brave band of minute men, who on the 19th of April, 1775, marched to Concord. Although he arrived too late to participate in the engagement there he pressed on to Cambridge, was ordered to Dorchester Heights and there stayed during the occupation by the British of the town of Boston. He was promoted to the rank of major and was wounded in the battle of White Plains. Afterward he was ordered to New York city, where he passed away August 8, 1776, thus laying down his life on the altar of freedom.

     Josiah Fay, son of Major Josiah Fay, was born June 10, 1758, and had a twin sister Mary.  He remained on the old homestead in Southborough until 1799 and then removed to Marlborough. In addition to farming he engaged in manufacturing there by hand and was a skilled mechanic. In 1775 he served as selectman, as field drummer in 1787 and as constable in 1791. He served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war and held the title of captain. In 1788 he married Hepzibah Collins, of Southborough, Massachusetts, a descendant of Miles Standish. She was born in 1751 and died August 19, 1843, while Josiah Fay passed away in Marlborough, February 18, 1845. Their family numbered ten children, including George William Fay, who was born May 12, 1805, and died February 5, 1867. His wife, Amanda Almira Ward, was born April 20, 1814, her parents being Jeremiah and Eunice (Storrs) Ward of Willimantic, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Fay were married in Willimantic, October 5, 1835, and for some time resided in Marlborough, where Mrs. Fay passed away.

     Frank S. Fay, whose name introduces this review, was the fifth in order of birth in their family of six children. Reared in his native city of Marlborough, he was graduated from the high school with the class of 1869 and, determining upon the practice of law as a life work, he at once began preparation for the bar, to which he was admitted in 1871, since which time he has followed his profession in Meriden, and is today the dean of the legal fraternity in his city. In 1877 he was chosen city attorney and filled the office for two years, and again from 1895 until 1902. He was prosecuting agent from 1882 until 1893 and in 1902 became judge of the city and police courts, in which position he continued until February, 1915. At the end of eighteen months he was returned to that position and continued to serve upon the bench until July, 1917. He made a most creditable and commendable record, his decisions being strictly fair and impartial, based upon the law and equity in the case. He has long been regarded as one of the most able lawyers of his part of the state, possessing a comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence, while in the application of these principles he is seldom if ever at fault. In 1891 he was town site trustee for U. S. Grant, Oklahoma.

     On the 28th of September, 1881, Mr. Fay was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth B. Ham, of Stuyvesant, New York, who passed away September 1, 1913. In religious faith Judge Fay is an Episcopalian and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He is well known in club circles, holding membership in the Home, Colonial and Meriden Bird Clubs, and in the last named he has been the president. He is also a member of the Audubon Society and he has been a frequent contributor to the press of articles on hunting, fishing, birds and wild flowers. He finds his chief recreation in fishing and in bird rambles. For many years he has been a most close and interested student of bird life and is now president of the American Bird Society. He is also a member of the committee to pass on the moral standing of applicants for admission to the bar in New Haven county. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in St. Andrew's Episcopal church. He is a man of scholarly attainments and of broad and liberal culture who has ever recognized the fact that the keenest pleasure in life comes from intellectual stimulus, and his activities, therefore, have been directed largely to fields of educational worth and value, while in one of the foremost of the learned professions he has made for himself a position of distinction.

(Photo attached)
 
 

Modern History of New Haven
and 
Eastern New Haven County

Illustrated

Volume II

New York – Chicago
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company 
1918

pgs 354 - 357

 
Return to New Haven County Page

THANKS FOR VISITING
NEW HAVEN 
COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES
pages / text are copyrighted by
Elaine Kidd O'Leary & 
Anne Taylor-Czaplewski
May 2002