04/12/2025
The latest post from Falmouth History Archive Poly Falmouth
From The Falmouth History Archive....
Although the book ‘Old Falmouth’ is a well-respected source of information for those wanting to know about Falmouth’s history up to 1900, few probably know much about the life of its author: Susan Gay.
Susan Gay herself, would probably have been amazed to learn that her book which she referred to as ‘an accumulation of odds and ends of information’ would still be valued well over a hundred years later!
Susan and her family originally lived in Wales but moved to Falmouth - where her grandfather was the last of the Packet Ships’ agents.
A prolific writer from a young age, she published in both England and in the United States, although today she is particularly known for her publications relating to the history of our town.
Her book ‘Old Falmouth,’ written in a very readable style, used information gathered from a wide range of sources, including old documents and parish registers. She also mentioned receiving kind assistance from members of the Fox family, the writer Thurstan C. Peter and the naturalist J. D. Enys.
Her life was a creative one in other aspects too. A talented artist, she held several bronze medals presented by the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society, and she also exhibited at the Royal Academy.
In politics, she was a Liberal but decided to ‘relinquish her active political work when the party declined to support the women’s suffrage movement.’
In all, Susan Gay comes across as an active, creative woman who has greatly enhanced our knowledge of our town’s fascinating history - and who was a person with firm views …
