![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Zina W. Lay was born in Westbrook, Middlesex county, Conn., on the 11th of May, 1787. He spent about three years at the Academy in Saybrook. At the age of seventeen, he went to Greenville, Greene county, N. Y., where his relative Dr. John Ely resided, and became a pupil in medicine with him, until he received a license to practice.
He married a daughter of Moses Smith, a wealthy citizen in Chesterville, a village in the town of Westerlo, Albany county, where he began his professional career. He remained in Chesterville about thirteen years, when he removed to Cooperstown, and resided for four years, and then returned to Westerlo. He took up his residence in Albany, where he lived several years, devoting himself more especially to chronic diseases of the throat and lungs.
Subsequently he removed to Stillwater, in the county of Saratoga, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was a man of mild, pleasant manners, in ready sympathy with the sick, who as readily reposed confidence in his judgment and skill. The poor always found in him a kind friend. He was an active member of the Presbyterian church and interested in the religious welfare of the community. He devoted largely of his means to sustain religious and charitable institutions.
Dr. Lay was thrice married. He was the father of five children, all by his first wife, three of whom survive. One of his daughters is the wife of Dr. John Van Allen of Bethlehem.
He died of disease of the heart at the age of sixty-eight, on the fourth of March, 1855.