Dear Folks, At present we have two competing sets of parents for John Fay SR/1 [OPF #1]. According to Orlin P. Fay and based upon one deed in Massachusetts from a Peter Bent to a David Fay, David Fay is said to be John Fay's father. HOWEVER, so far no documentary evidence has been openly presented which links this David Fay of this deed to the status of FATHER of JOHN Fay 1. Considering the number of people in the 1600's who shared the same names, it is possible that the Deed was made to any one of 3 David Fay's in that time period. A second candidate is William FAY of ST Botholph's (? spelling) Without the Walls, near London. The linkage is a baptismal record of this William FAY by baptism to four children: William, John, Samuel, and Susanna, I believe. There is some indication that an original (Primary Document) Indenture may exist in London between William Fay,and Peter Bent formerly of Penton Mewsey, Hampshire, for John Fay at about the right date. HOWEVER, I have only just received word from a distant FAY cousin on this matter and have not been able to verify it yet. It is possible that the David FAY and Elizabeth COLE marriage in Penton MEWSEY in Dec. 1616 are related to our family. Perhaps David FAY will turn out to be the grandfather of John Fay Sr/1. John FAY Sr/1 [OPF # 1], was married twice. The first wife was Mary BRIGHAM, oldest child of Thomas BRIGHAM Sr [WITB #1] and Mercy HURD Brigham-Rice-Hunt. The evidence for this marriage is the will of Thomas BRIGHAM Sr. who left part of his estate to his daughter's sons John and Samuel FAY. John FAY SR/1 married second Susanna SHATTUCK Morse-Fay-Brigham. After John's death, Susanna married his brother -in-law, Thomas BRIGHAM Jr. Susanna had seven children by Mr. Morse and at least 4 by John Fay. Although Orlin P. Fay lists a death date of December 5, 1690 for John FAY Sr/1, recent conversations with one branch of the family suggests that no one is quite sure when he died or where he is buried. I think that we really ought to work on solving this question before we press backwards in time for John FAY Sr/1's parentage. For those who descend from John FAY Sr/1's son John FAY Jr. [OPF #2] and Elizabeth WELLINGTON, her line has been traced back to King Edward I of England. I hope this answers the questions of "mcook1." Sincerely, Mary (FAY) Nelson 9