Robert1 LAY of Saybrook, Connecticut (ca.1617-1689)

by Robert L. Ward

Robert1 LAY, parentage unknown, but brother of Edward1 LAY and Mr. John1 LAY, Sr., born about 1617, England, died 9 Jul 1689, Saybrook, CT, aged 72 years (LR1:143)(gravestone, River View Cemetery, Essex, CT).

He married, "about the latter end" Dec 1647, Saybrook, CT (LR1:1), Sarah1 (FENNER) TULLY, daughter of Arthur and Sarah (BROWNE) FENNER, baptized 26 Nov 1615, Horley, Surrey, England, died 25 May 1676, Saybrook, CT, aged about 59 years (LR1:143). She had married firstly, 17 Oct 1637, Horley, Surrey, England, John TULLY, son of Nicholas and ----- (-----) TULLY, baptized 20 Oct 1605, Horley, Surrey, England, buried 14 Jun 1644, Horley, Surrey, England (will 11 Jun 1644).

Recorded at Lynn, MA, 1638, according to Savage, but original record not seen.

At Saybrook, 1647, freeman 1657, representative 1666.

At one time he owned 4000 acres of land and 50 slaves in Saybrook.

On 4 Jan 1648[/9?] the town of Saybrook divided the outlying lands into three quarters, and Robert LAY chose his £100 allotment of commonage in the Oyster River Quarter (copy of original record made by John TULLEY, Town Clerk, 27 May 1698). John LAY also chose his £300 allotment in the Oyster River Quarter, and Edward LAY chose his allotment east of the river in what was in 1667 set off as Lyme.

On 2 Dec 1652 is mentioned the death of Thomas STEAD, servant of Robert LAY of Six-Mile Island (C. W. Manwaring, Early Connecticut Probate Records, I:152).

On 12 May 1660, Robert LAY and Thomas BULL appraised the cattle at Six-Mile Island belonging to the estate of George FENWICKE of Saybrook (C. W. Manwaring, Early Connecticut Probate Records, I:51-52).

On 17 May 1660, Robert LAY "desired to take care of any of the estate of Mr. Fenwick, yt is subject to loss and damage" (Colonial Records I:535).

Children of John and Sarah1 (FENNER) TULLY:

  1. John1 TULLY, bp. 9 Sep 1638, Horley, Surrey, died 5 Oct1711, Saybrook, CT (LR2:30), m. 3 Jan 1671, Saybrook, CT (LR1:14), Mary2 BEAMON.
  2. Sarah2 TULLY, bp. 27 Sep 1640, Horley, Surrey, died probably by 1660.

Children of Robert1 and Sarah1 (FENNER)(TULLY) LAY:

  1. Phebe2 LAY, b. Jan 1650, Saybrook, CT (LR1:1); m. said 26 Nov 1667, Saybrook, CT [no VR or ChhR found], John3 DENISON; d. said 21 May 1699, Stonington, CT [no VR found]. Nine children.
  2. Robert2 LAY, b. 6 Mar 1654, Saybrook, CT (LR1:1); married, 22 Jan 1679[/80], Saybrook, CT (LR1:143), Mary3 STANTON; d. before 20 Nov 1742, Saybrook, CT (probate). Nine children.

There are many descendants through each of the two children. For more information on him and his descendants, contact Robert L. Ward.

A reference for this family is NEHGR LXII:172-178, 238-241.