JAMES S. HAYS. Among the well-to-do and influential farmers of this county, James S. Hays is prominently known. He is a representative of an old pioneer family, of whom the earliest ancestor there is record of was one David Hays. David Hays bought land in New Jersey, September 13, 1787, and his children were born and reared in that State, as follows: Seven sons-John, Thomas, David, Joseph William, James and Moses-and five daughters whose names are unknown. Moses Hays, son of David, was born in New Jersey, and after partially learning the blacksmith's trade, was drafted, at the age of sixteen, into the Continental army, and with five of his brothers served during that contest. He was employed as regimental blacksmith till the close of his term of service. During the contest, his brother John, who was a lieutenant, received a wound which soon afterward caused his death. In 1783 Moses Hays was married to Jemima Peterson, a native of New Jersey. Soon after the close of the Revolutionary War, Moses, with his wife and brothers, went west, settling on 1.000 acres of land about three miles southeast of Burgettstown, this county, on Raccoon Creek. The brothers divided this land among themselves, and Moses made a permanent home upon his share which is still owned by Alexander Hays, a grandson of Moses, where the following children were born and reared: Thomas, born on October 5, 1784 (moved to Jackson county, Ohio, where he died); Edith, born February 27, 1786 (wife of David Hays, of Ohio); John, born February 3, 1789 (deceased near Moorefield, Harrison Co., Ohio); William, born April 7, 1791 (killed by accident); James, born June 11, 1793 (deceased in Allegheny county, Penn.); Alexander, born November 11, 1795; Mary, born, December 25, 1797 (died in youth); Eleanor, born November 15, 1799 (deceased wife of James Todd, of Allegheny county); Joseph, born February 15, 1801 (deceased on the home farm); David, born May 7 1803 (deceased farmer of Smith township, married to Martha Fulton), and Ann, born June 23, 1805 (deceased in youth). Moses Hays possessed a remarkably retentive memory, easily recalling incidents of the Revolutionary war fifty years after the conflict. Anything once seen or heard he never forgot, and was easily brought to his mind whenever the subject arose. He was a prominent and successful farmer, and in religion was a member of the Raccoon Church during the ministry of Rev. Moses Allen, who was a personal friend of Moses Hays. The latter passed away in 1836, being followed in a few days by his wife.
Alexander Hays was born November 11,1795, on the farm of his father in Smith township. His literary attainments were acquired in the primitive log cabin school-house of the day, the instruction being as limited as the furniture, but Alexander Hays soon gave evidence of unusual mechanical ability, readily learning both the carpenter's and blacksmith's trades. In 1824 he was married to Ann Stevenson, who was born in 1802, daughter of James Stevenson, an extensive landowner of Smith township. The children born to this union were as follows, one deceased in infancy, James S. (whose name opens these lines), Jemima (deceased in infancy), John (a farmer of Smith township) and Joseph (a lawyer in Pittsburgh, Penn.). Alexander and Ann (Stevenson) Hays began married life on a part of the old Stevenson tract, lying about one and a quarter miles west of Burgettstown, Penna., where they passed all their wedded life. He was an industrious, kind-hearted and prosperous man, and possessed many friends. In politics he was a stanch Supporter of Democrat principles, and filled several township offices to the entire satisfaction of his party. He died in 1846; in 1881 his widow was laid to rest beside him.
James S. Hays was born July 26, 1826 on the home farm in Smith Township, being trained from early youth to the vocation of a husbandman, which he has continued to follow through life. He obtained his early knowledge of literature from the common schools, remaining with his parents until attaining maturity. On March 16, 1855, he was united in marriage with Sarah, daughter of Samuel Riddile, of Smith township, and the following children have been born to them: Samuel (who died at the age of twenty-seven years), Annie M. (residing at home), David V. (at home), James G. (a carpenter now farming in Tuscarawas county, Ohio), Mary (living at home), Edgar (who died in youth) and Robert R. (living with his parents). After their marriage James and Sarah (Riddile) Hays located on a part of the "old Stevenson tract" adjoining the birthplace of Mr. Stevenson, where he has always resided with the exception of four years passed in Robinson township, this county.
He is surrounded by a host of admiring and affectionate friends, all of whom are ever welcome to enjoy the comfort and luxuries of his pleasant home. In addition to general farming he ships a large quantity of milk to Pittsburgh. Having accumulated a considerable property he is now enjoying the reward of many years of toil.
Text taken from page 589 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed March 1997 by Judy and Lee Schaeffer of Pittsburgh, PA as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]