JOHN HAYS, sons WILLIAM, ROBERT, JAMES, SAMUEL
Title: History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men / edited by Boyd Crumrine. Illustrated. Philadelphia: L.H. Everts and Co., 1882.
Author: Crumrine, Boyd, 1838-1916
Pg. 712
JOHN HAYS was of Scotch-Irish parentage, married, and raised a family of five sons, who arrived at maturity before they emigrated to this country.About the year 1775, JOHN HAYS, with four of his sons, WILLIAM, ROBERT, JAMES, and SAMUEL came to this county and located on a large tract of land on the head-waters of Chartiers Creek.JOHN HAYS, the father, in 1780 took out a Virginia certificate for one tract, which was surveyed to him as “Hay Field,” containing 419 acres.Patent for it was obtained in April, 1794.It covered what is now known as the Anderson, Haft, and Ramsey property.He also took out on a Virginia certificate a tract which was surveyed to him March 15, 1788, under the name of “The Compact,” containing 315 acres.This tract is now in Mount Pleasant Twp., adjoining Chartiers.The warrant for it was returned June 11, 1788, to JAMES McELROY.On the tract “Hay Field” MR. HAYS lived till his death, and left a portion of it to his youngest son, EDWARD, from whom JOHN HAFT purchased about 1820.The remainder of the estate was left to WILLIAM, the eldest son, and JOHN, the second son, who remained in Ireland.
WILLIAM HAYS, the eldest son of JOHN HAYS, located farther up the valley, and obtained title to his land on a warrant.It was surveyed to him as “Hay Woods,” containing 441 acres.A patent for it bears date June 3, 1785.WILLIAM HAYS was elected justice of the peace April 3, 1799, and served the remainder of his days.He died on the farm.JOHN HAYS, ESQ., his son, who died, age 76 years, on the 31st July, 1875, was born on this farm in 1799, and spent his life at and near his birthplace.He was a student at Jefferson College, and devoted his life to agricultural pursuits.He was elected justice of the peace in April, 1840.Six children survived him, four of whom are ministers.The REV. ISAAC N. HAYS, for many years pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Chambersburg, later of Junction City, Kan., and at present pastor of Central Presbyterian Church at Allegheny City; REV. J. S. HAYS, D. D., many years pastor of Presbyterian Church in Louisville, Ky., at present professor in the theological seminary at Danville, Ky.; and REV. GEORGE HAYS, D. D., former president of Washington and Jefferson College, now pastor of Presbyterian Church in Denver, Col.A daughter became (pg. 713) the wife of Rev. S. G. McFarland, missionary to Siam.NANCY became the wife of JAMES REED, and now lives in Canonsburg.WILLIAM, a son of WILLIAM HAYS, resided on the old homestead, and died April 27, 1881.
ROBERT HAYS, a son of JOHN, took a warrant for a tract of land between that of his father and brother WILLIAM.It was surveyed to him as “Fine View,” containing 251 acres, and was patented June 28, 1785.It is now known as the McNary tract.JOHN HAYS took a warrant for a tract of land surveyed as 130 acres, now owned by Mrs. John Campbell.It was patented by JOHN HAYS in 1785, and in 1787 was given by him to his son JAMES.