Hays, William R., Ferrisburgh, Vergennes p. o., was born in Ferrisburgh, Vt., on September 10, 1824. He was married March 25, 1845, to Sophia Gregory, who died December 9, 1866, leaving two sons — Michael D. and Harvey W. He married his second wife, Mrs. Nancy Meader, of Lincoln, Vt., on December 1, 1867. They have had one daughter born to them — Emma S. (born December 18, 1870). She had by her first husband, John C. Meader, four children. W. R. Hays was a son of Seymour and Hannah Brydia Hays. He was born on August 20, 1780, and died on October 6, 1852, and Hannah was born on November 20, 1780. They had a family of nine children — Henry, Alonson, Samuel, Michael D., Rufus C., Seymour, Hial C., Hannah C., William R. Two are now living — Seymour and William R. Mrs. Hays died June 21, 1861.
