History of Gay Hill - Fayette County, Texas Submitted by: Lenora Shope 17 Feb 2002 ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. ====================================================================== GAY HILL, TEXAS (Fayette County). Gay Hill is on State Highway 71 six miles southeast of La Grange in eastern Fayette County. The settlement was named for James Gay, whose brother Thomas had established a Gay Hill community in Washington County. The Gay Hill in Fayette County grew around a plantation established during the days of the Republic of Texas. The original community stretched along a low ridge that rose sharply to 370 feet above the broad Colorado River floodplain, which produced excellent crops of cotton and corn. Beginning in the 1960s the area excelled in producing grain, pecans, and improved pasture for cattle and horses. In 1986 the extended community included three cemeteries, St. Matthew's Church, and homes for twelve families. William Franklin Gay was the son of George Ewing Gay(1833-1896) and Mary Miranda Henton Barbee (1839-1926). Their children were: Thomas Napolean Gay February 15, 1858 William Franklin Gay February 15, 1858 George M.S. Gay September 30, 1865 Virginia Ann Gay February 22, 1860 Leilah G Gay January 31, 1865 Beulah A Gay August 31, 1867 Thomas Edward Gay January 17, 1878 Ellie E Gay March 31, 1871 C.E. Gay September 11, 1874 Pearl Gay August 18, 1876 Earnest Lois Gay August 7, 1878 Genoa Gay December 24, 1880 Sam Houston Gay December 20, 1882 George Ewing Gay was the son of Thomas Gay (1805-1839) and Eleanor HOPE. She was subsequently married to Luke Roberts. Thomas Gay and his brother, James, both had settlements named for them - "Gay Hill", in both Washington and Fayette Counties.