About This File
The Battle of Darbytown and New Market Roads Map shows the blue dashed line Union retreating forces crossing over both the W Gay farm and K Frayser farm properties on New Market Road.
William Gay (born 1795) Son of Daniel Gay (born 1768), married Mildred Frayser (born 1797) Daughter of Jesse Frayser and Keziah Frayser who had the adjoining farm property to William Gay.
The 1860 Census data indicated Mildred and the four children: Rebecca F, Mary A, Lucy H, and Son William H Gay were still living on the farm in Henrico County, VA prior to the Civil War.
The Battle of Darbytown and New Market Roads probably destroyed everything that might have remained of the W Gay and K Frayser farm properties, since both were former slave owners.
The Son William H Gay (born 1837) joined the CSA in 1861 was attached to Pickett's Division of Fifteenth Virginia Regiment, he survived the war and died in Richmond on April 10, 1904.
The adjoining Four Mile Creek Baptist Church still stands today, founding members Jesse and Keziah Frayser were originally buried on their family farm, but due to property development both were moved to the Church Cemetery.
Since Charles Gay Sr and his wife Ann Atkins acquired the initial 140 acre property in 1786 from her Father Joseph Atkins, it is very likely that both were probably buried on the family property.
Henrico Cty, VA Deeds: 2,335 20 February 1786
Joseph Atkins of Henrico Cty, VA to Daniel Gay, CHARLES GAY, and ANN his wife of same, for love unto his grandson Daniel Gay and his son-in-law CHARLES GAY and ANN GAY his Daughter and for further 5 shillings … gave 140 acres … all that Land whereon the said Atkins doth now live, in Henrico and Bounded by and between the lines of William Frayser, Jackson Frayser and Jesse Frayser. Witnesses: Thomas Prosser, William Frayser, Jesse Frayser, Reg’d 20 February 1786.
In 1815 Charles Gay Sr, because his oldest Son Daniel was already dead, transferred the farm property title not to his youngest Son Charles Gay Jr, but to William Gay the Son of Daniel Gay.
Henrico Cty, VA Deeds: 13,253 28 December 1815
I, CHARLES GAY of Henrico Cty, for love I have to William Gay my grandson of said county and for $1.00 have given William Gay one Negro man, Sam, one negro woman, Biddy, or Obedience, all my stock of horses, cows, hogs, sheep, Household and kitchen furniture, crop of corn and wheat and further give unto said William Gay all uses privileges and benefits of my land and tenements forever ....(signed) Charles Gay. Witnesses: Jackson Frayser, D.W. Sharpe, Austin Talman. Reg’d 5 August 1816.
In 1815 Charles Gay Jr. and his wife Mary (Baker) Gay were also living on the family farm with their seven children: Delilah, Daniel, Martin Baker, Charles, David, Mary and Martha Ann Gay.
In 1822 William Gay married the girl next door Mildred Frayser.
Henrico Cty, VA Deeds: 24,166-6 6 April 1822.
Charles Gay, Jr. of Henrico Cty, VA sold to William Gay his lands in Henrico Cty …. 148 ½ acres.
By July 1823 Mary (Baker) Gay had their remaining four children: William, Eliza P, Nancy, and finally James, all born in Henrico County, VA.
Then Mary (Baker) Gay died 27 October 1823 and was probably also buried on the family farm property in Henrico County, VA.
With eleven children to raise and no wife, Charles Gay Jr decided to seek help from his wife's family by moving to Cumberland County, KY where the Baker Brothers had settled Bakerton, KY.
It is unknown when the Charles Gay family arrived in Cumberland County, KY but his oldest daughter Delila Ann Gay is mentioned in the Salem Baptist Church Minutes on April 13, 1828.
In August 1829 Charles Gay received a $10.00 inheritance from the Sale of his wife's father Martin Baker's land after his death in 1827.
The 1864 Battle of Darbytown and New Market Roads destroyed any trace of a Family Cemetery on the 148 acre farm that the Gay Family members had lived and died on for 78 years.