P7 – James Hays

update July 2023

Born: Unknown Ulster, Ireland Died Unknown: Augusta, VA

May 22, 1740, fourteen heads of families appeared at Orange Court to prove their importation… “from Ireland to Philadelphia, and from thence to this colony, at his own charges, and this is the first time of proving his and their rights in order to obtain land, which is ordered to be certified.” among the fourteen heads of families were:

John Hays and his children, Rebecca [wife], Charles, Andrew, Barbara, Joan and Robert.

Patrick Hays and his children Francis [wife], Joan, William, Margaret, Catharine and Ruth. [Annals of Augusta County, Virginia, from 1726 to 1781,” by Jos. A. Waddell, 1902 32]. (It is suspected that Barbara is the wife of Charles and Barbara the wife of Andrew as they do not appear in his will).

2 sons not named as it is believed they were over 21 were James and John.

Dec 25, 1750 Will Book I, Page 291. John Hays‘ will, plantationer — Wife, Rebecca; three sons: son, Andrew; son, Charles; son, John (land on Roanoke joining William Miller’s plantation); nephew, John Hays, Jr. (Rebecca Hays,

daughter to son John); daughter, Jenett Mills; nephew, (?) Rebecky Guines; nephew, Robert Lusk; nephew, James Hays, son to son James; legatee, Robert Lusk; Legatee, Abigail Hayes, alias Kinseys. Executors, wife Rebecky and

sons Charles and Andrew. Teste: James Buchanan, Saml. Hayes, James Moore. Proved 26th February 1750, by all witnesses, and Charles and Andrew refuse to administer and Rebecca qualifies with sureties (no bond appears).

[csisv3,19] John Hays –pioneer— d. 1751–m. Rebecca —. Children: Charles, Andrew, Barbara, Jenette (m. — Mills), Robert, James. [A History of Rockbridge County, Virginia,” by Oren F. Morton, 1920,492]

Note the will mentions “James Hays, son to son James” indicating that John’s son James is deceased and his grandson is living.