Norwood's 19th Century Post Mistress Emma W. Gay

In 1888, A Memorial Volume of the Record of Baptisms, Marriages, and Deaths transcribed from Church Records in the Town of Dedham from 1638-1845 was published. It was edited by Don Gleeson Hill, then President of the Dedham Historical Society and Dedham town clerk. Included in this publication was a compilation of epitaphs before 1845 found on graves in the “South Parish Cemetery.” It was noted that these epitaphs were “copied from the tombstones by Miss Emma W. Gay.”

Emma W. Gay was born on February 11, 1849 in Dedham. She was the second daughter of Willard Gay and Emeline Rhoades Gay, both children of long-time Dedham residents. Willard Gay began life as a farmer and was well-respected in South Dedham village. The family resided on Pleasant Street, near Cross. When the town of Norwood was incorporated, he served as one of the town’s first Selectmen from 1872 until 1876. He also served as the postmaster for the village, succeeding Mark Guild in that position. Gay was the first postmaster of the Town of Norwood. During his time as postmaster, the post office moved into Village Hall. Willard Gay died in 1882.

Beginning around 1870, Emma W. Gay was a clerk in the post office and she took over as postmaster in 1882.

Emma W. Gay died on June 15, 1892 at the age of 43. She died at the Massachusetts Homeopathic Hospital in Boston due to a heart valve problem. As her obituary in the Norwood Advertiser and Review explained, “the community was taken by surprise” at her death. The newspaper continued, “Miss Gay was well known in town and much beloved by a large circle of friends for her kindness of heart and excellent qualities of character. In her younger days she was clerk for her father in the post office. After his death, by petition of the inhabitants of the town she was appointed post mistress, which position she filled with ability and great satisfaction to the patrons of the office for some six years, until a change in administration gave the office to another.” At the time, postmasters were appointed by the President of the United States.

The Advertiser and Review continues: “Her circle of acquaintance was large, her business ability recognized, her honest manner and sound common sense appreciated, and while not demonstrative in social intercourse, her sympathies were quick and her heart tender and kindly disposed.”

In addition to her historical record keeping in Old Parish Cemetery, she was a member of the Universalist Church where she taught Sunday School for many years.

Emma W. Gay was interred in Highland Cemetery, lot 137, with her grandparents, who likely had been interred in lot 82 in Old Parish, and her father. Her contribution to the historical records of Old Parish Cemetery is much appreciated and deserves recognition today.