Joseph Fay (September 11, 1753 – October 26, 1803) was an American politician, militia officer, and businessman who served as Secretary of State of Vermont and was one of its principal founders.
[1] The Green Mountain Boys were originally organized to resist attempts by the government of New York to exert control over Vermont, including forcing the original white settlers, who had purchased land grants from New Hampshire, to purchase confirming titles from New York.
[3] In 1780, Fay was appointed an assistant commissary, responsible for procuring, storing, and transporting food and other supplies for the military.
[3] Fay later sent Jefferson maple tree seeds, and they maintained a long correspondence that covered farming, botany, and politics, in addition to other topics.
[3] In 1794 he moved to New York City, where he became an import merchant and land speculator[1] Fay died there in 1803 as the result of yellow fever, which he contracted during an epidemic.