Hays, Hamilton, Wilhite
Early ship arrivals: Hamilton on Green Lyon in 1653; Hays on George in 1617.
William Hays was born Dec 22, 173, in South Carolina, the son of Nathaniel Hays who was supposed to have been killed while a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Williams mother raised her children on the Great Pee Dee River. (1876 Saline Co, Mo Atlas).
Around 1796 or 97, William married Martha Hamilton, a native of South Carolina, who was the daughter of another Revolutionary War soldier. Shortly after their marriage, they migrated to Tennessee, where they lived until 1815. William Hay was a soldier under General Jackson in his campaign against the Creek Indians.
1 - Nathaniel Hays, d. in Revolutionary War;
1A - William Hays, b. Dec 22, 1773 in South Carolina; d. March 1, 1848 Saline
Co, MO; m. 1796/97 Martha Hamilton, b South Carolina; d. March 27,
1860. Buried at Fish Creek Cemetery, Saline Co, MO;
1A1 - Charity, b. Feb 23, 1798, TN; d. Jan 14, 1859 Saline Co, MO; m. July
25, 1815 James Wilhite; 11 children;
1A2 - McBride;
1A3 - James, b. Jan 29, 1807 in TN; d. Feb 12, 1878 in Saline Co, MO; m. (1)
March 10, 1839 to Rebecca Fort Parkhurst, 1812-1815; m. (2) Elizabeth
Page, b. Au 16, 1828; d. Jan 16, 1884; children:
1A3A - Martha A, b. 1840;
1A3B - Mary, b. 1842; m. April 19, 1881 George Duncan;
1A3C - Thomas McBride, b. 1843;
1A3D - Cassandra, b. 1844;
1A3E - Lydia, b. 1846; m. Tom Brown;
1A3F - James F, b. 1848; d. 1869
1A3G - Sarah E, b. 1849 or 50; m. Oct 19, 1871 to George Haring;
5 children;
1A3H - Joseph, b. 1852; d. Sept 14, 1869;
1A3i - ?;
1A3J - Sterling, b. 1862; d. 1938, Slater Cemetery; m. Lou McKinney;
son - Guy Franklin, 1890-1972; daughter Mae;
In the 1850 Saline Co. Census we find:
James Hays, b 1807 in TN;
Rebecca Fort Parkhurst, b. 1812;
Julia Parhurst, b. 1833.
Could this have been the daughter of Rebecca's first marriage to Amos Parkhurst?
1A4 - Mary, m (1) James Haring (Herring); m. (2) Feb 22, 1859 Hilman Herring,
James and Hilman were brothers. All six of her children were by James
1A5 - Sarah, b. Oct 12, 1804; d. March 21, 1860; m. 1829 to William Allen Gwinn.
1798-1875;
1A6 - Francis, m. ____ Gillet;
1A7 - Thomas, m. Jan 31, 1836 to Sally Owens'
1A8 - Lydia, b. 1811; d. Feb 9, 1850; m. March 29, 1832 Willaim Wilhite; 2 children,
Euphama and Rueben;
1A9 - Euphama (Fannie), 1818-1852; m. Nov 1, 1840 John Crosslin;
1A10 - Elizabeth, m. Abram Job;
1A11 - William, b. 1814; d; Dec 18,1851; m. August 30, 1836 Mary Dennis, daughter
James and Jemima Maxwell Dennis; children:
1A11A - John, b. 1841;
1A11B - Mary A, b. 1844; m. ______ Brown;
1A11C - James Monroe, b. 1847; m. March 19, 1868 Nancy Elizabeth Wilhite;
1A11D - Martha J, b. 1849;
1A11E - Sallie, m Sept 8, 1870 to Finis Rae Wilhite.
In the fall of 1810, Jesse Cox from Madison Co, KY crossed the Missouri River to the Saline side, built a cabin and cleared a "patch of land". The next year he moved his family to his new home. After the outbreak of the war with Great Britain in 1812, Cox was frequently "run in" to the forts on the opposite side of the river by the Indian allies of the British.
The war of 1812 ended in 1815, and at its close, immigration to Missouri set in more rapidly than was ever known in the United States up to that time. The rush was greatest from Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee. As many as one hundred persons are said to have "passed through St Charles in one day on their way to Boones Lick, and this rate was kept up for many days". Many of these 'movers' brought with them a hundred head of cattle, besides hogs, horses, sheep and from three to twelve slaves. These long trains presentated a sight which will never be seen in this country again. It was long before the day of the railroads and just before the time of steamboats. There were huge wagons filled with the families "plunder", drawn by three or four yolk of oxen. Next came the herds of cattle and sheep, each with many bells, amking a beautiful chime, and as this mingled with the dull thud of the wagon, the coarse voice of the herder a peculiar impression was made which only those who have heard it can appreciate. At night the family would sit around the fire.
In the fall of 1815, James Wilhite and William Hays came from West Tennessee to Cooper's Fort in Howard County, with wagons containing their families and all of their household goods. On the road from St. Charles to the fort, they ran out of provisions and lived on parched corn. They were warmly welcomed at the fort and well provided for. In the winter of 1815-16, Wilhite and Hays crossed the river and explored on the other side to find homes for themselves. In October 1816, they moved over with their families and settled on the lower extremity of the "Big Bottom" Mr Wilhite's house was on section 19, twp. 51, range 18, and Mr. Hays' on section 18 of the same township and range. Their campfires were the first that ever blazed on those sections, save those made by the Indians. They did not succeed in completing their cabins in time to be fully prepared, and they and their families suffered greatly in consequence.
The first settling of Saline County was done by settlements. Eligible locations were discovered and half a dozen or more families, usually from the same district in Kentucky or Tennessee, would settle together. This not only made life more enjoyable, but it was necessary in order that the settlers might be more able to defend themselves from attacks by hostile Indians.
In the fall of 1817, Jacob Ish came into the settlement which now had a population of near three hundred. There had been a large immigration from Indian and Kentucky the previous summer, and to use the words of Mr. Wilhite (as reported by Jerrold Letcher), the cabins stood along the river "just far enough apart to enable the women folks to raise chickens" from near Glasgow to where Cambridge now stands.
The settlers worked together and cleared and fenced a large field, which they divided into lots without any partition fences, whereon each man planted his crop. The entire settlement contributed toward the making of the "big field" as it was called. It contained 1000 to 1200 acres. Each settler was entitled to cultivate what he cleared and helped to fence, i.e. made rails for etc.
Mr. William Hays took the first wagon into the Big Bottom. It was a rather "shackly" affair, and would hardly compare with the Studebakers and Shuttlers or the Mitchells of later years. The women walked and carried babies in their arms, and assisted in driving the stock during the day; and upon camping at night, built the fire and prepared the evening meal. To them belongs as much credit for the settlement of the county as to the men.
Saline County abounded with all sorts of game, and wild meat of some kind was always to be found on a pioneer table. In the interior of the county, near and at Salt Springs, were always buffalo, although not in large numbers. Elk, deer, turkey, raccoons, opossums, squirrels, rabbits etc were so plentiful as almost to be had for the taking anywhere. The hollow trees in the woods contained either raccoons or honey. The few hogs in the settlement ran wild, as did the cattle. The hogs fed largely on wild potatoes, which grew abundantly. These animals were brought over from Coopers Fort , and occasionally they were known to swim the river and return. It was almost impossible to raise hogs and sheep when the country was first settled, and it was difficult to raise cattle. The woods were full of wolves, catamounts, panthers and bears. Eternal vigilance was the price of pork and beef in those days. However this state of affairs did not last long, and bacon soon became a leading article of export.
In the fall of 1816, a drove of elk, numbering about thirty, crossed the river above Arrow Rock. They had been chased by Howard County settlers, and were met by the hunters of Saline. Some of them were killed and the remainder turned down into Cooper County and re-crossed the river, swimming it both instances. Some of the men from the Big Bottom managed to secure a crcass or two of these animals.
In a later part of the summer of 1816, a bee hunting party was organized at the Big Bottom. Mr. Hays, Daniel Thorton, William McHahan and James Wilhite composed the party.. They took a canoe and went up the Missouri, landing at the Little Brush Bottom, below Frankfort. There they found a number of bee trees and plenty of honey. They had a jolly time. They were gone just a week and got fifty eight gallons of pure strained honey. They left seven fine bee trees standing for the benefit of the next hunting party.
In 1819, there was a great deal of sickness in the settlement. The prevailing diseases were caused by the malaria of the bottoms. Many left the settlement and went to Howard County and elsewhere, and some never returned.
The first mill in the county was established in the Big Bottom in 1817. Itw as situated about a mile below where Cambridge stood, on a little branch called Shockley's Branch. It was run buy horse power and merely ground the corn and wheat of settlers; it had no bolting apparatus. Pioneers came to this mill from thirty to forty miles. Prior to the establishment of this mill, the settlers depended mainly on their mortar and pestles for meal, or upon a mill across the river at Boones Lick settlement.
In 1823, William Hays moved from the Big Bottom to the bluff. In 1827, James Wilhite settled near him after living a short time in Lafayette County.
In the summer of 1826, came the "big rise" on the Missouri River. The water covered all of the bottom to a depth varying from three to ten feet. The Big Bottom was almost completely over flown. This did great damage and caused many settlers to move to higher ground and thereafter avoid the bottom's. As the water subsided there was a great deal of malaria and much sickness and suffering resulted.
The winter of 1830-31 was the cold winter. Snow began to fall on Christmas day and fell continuously until New Years Day, with a depth of four feet on the level and drifts up to the roofs of the cabins. Snow stayed on until March and the wind blew from the north or northwest without ceasing or changing direction for six weeks. Game perished in the woods and much stock, also. Wells and springs were inaccessable and people used snow for water for many days. Roads were unbroken for weeks and the weather was intensely cold.
The following article was taken from the Marshall Democrat News, Sept 1939:
The first year is the worst. Such might have been a sentence out of a letter of a pioneer family in Saline County, had those earliest settlers been in the habit of writing.
The first year with the earliest settlers was the hardest, because during that year, they had to build their houses, clear small patches of ground for the planting of grain and vegetables the following year. They had to subsist mainly on game and fish, but after the first crop, they had what we today would term a rather leisurely life, for they took time about everything they did.
Those early settler came through from their former homes on horseback, in wagons drawn by oxen or cows, and some came by water. In that early day, the horse as a draft animal did not rate very high, the principal heavy work being done by oxen. It is interesting that many of these travelers carried their fire with them, as it was easier to transport live coals from campfire to campfire, than it was to make a new fire at each camp with a flint.
Game and fish were extremely plentiful, and they never lacked for meat. If he could not find buffalo, elk or deer on the open prairie or the wooded stretches along the streams, he was sure to get game by lying in wait at some salt lick. Raccoons, squirrel and rabbits were so numerous in some places as to be pest for the crops, which the pioneers planted. For sugar they had the honey they found in the hollow trees. Coffee was scarce and its drinking generally confined to breakfast on Sunday morning, and tea was virtually unknown to the early settlers.
The dress of the pioneers was one suitable to the life they led. The men wore buckskin. This consisted of of a hunting shirt with pantaloons or leggings. Beneath the hunting shirts was and undershirt of linsey, flannel or cotton. Often these shirts were made from what might be called a line obtained from the nettles which grew profusely on the bottom land. A coonskin cap with the tail adorned the head and moccasins covered the feet.
The pioneers tanned all the leather they used. This tanning usually took place in the trunk of a tree, which had dug and burned out, the treatment was with a decoction of oak bark.
The dress of the women mainly was linen from the bark of these nettles. The nettles were cut, spread on the ground and allowed to rot through the fall and the winter. This was spun in the spring and took the place of flax. Often cotton was mixed with the nettles for weaving apparel, for after homes became establishe in Saline County, nearly every cabin had its own patch of cotton. The women mainly went barefoot in the summer and in winter wore moccasins or homemade shoes. If they were able to get enough calico for a cap, they felt the cap was a insignia of luxury.
Buckskin, while an excellent wearing material and very suitable to the hunter since it did not tear in pushing through the brush, had its disadvantages. One of these was that it would draw up when wet. The result was that many a hunter went out with his pants of ankle length, and came back with the bottoms near his knees, because of wading through wet grass the underbrush or fording streams. The next morning before other members were up, he would stretch out the pantaloons again by fastening one end to the wall of the log cabin and pulling on the other end with all his might.
The money or legal tender of the early settlers was gold, silver, corn, potatoes, beaver, coonskins, a days labor or almost anything one person had and another desired. Most of the exchange was in kind, as there was very little gold or silver among the settlers.
After livestock became the possession of most of the settlers, the animals were permitted to roam at large, and marks and brands were registered with the County Court.
Saline County was never heavily populated with Indians. In fact, most of the Indians in this section seem to have been nomads and to have visited the county mainly for hunting. There are of course evidences of Indian villages, but not enough to indicate any extensive population. Therefore when the white man began his settlements here, he found Saline County a paradise for hunting. It is reported that in 1816, thirty elk crossed the river near Arrow Rock. Predatory animals were so numerous that graves had to be covered with heavy stobes for protection.
The streams and lakes were full of fish and big catfish were caught in the Missouri River. One reported from Miami weighed 110 pounds, and another even heavier is said to have been caught at Arrow Rock.
Natty Walker, renowned early day hunter in Saline, reported that he saw a drove of fifty elk, grazing on the elevation where the Saline County Courthouse now sits. The location was often called Elk Hill. The last elk seen in the county was reported in 1856.
As population increased, the supply of the game decreased. During the Civil War when most of the men of the county were in one army or the other, there was a great increase in the number of wolves. because they were unhampered in propagation.
As late as 1850, three deer hunters in the county killed a total of 246 deer in one year. The slaughter of game went on until Saline became almost destitute of game, even migratory birds.
When Saline was settled it was just Missouri territory, as state or county was not organized until later. The population of the entire Missouri territory was about 20,000 in 1810. In 1820 it had grown to about 66,000. Howard County was organized in 1816, and included all the territory that later made thirty one counties, including Saline. Howard County later became Boone, Callaway, Cooper, Chariton Counties. Saline was part of Cooper County. In 1820, the land now comprising Saline County was divided into three townships: Arrow Rock, Miami and Jefferson.
On August 2, 1819, the first election in the state was held to delegate a congress from the Territory of Missouri. Voters from Arrow Rock were:
William Jobe, William Hays, Simon Odle (Odelle), Phaness Clevenger Jack Clevenger, Baker Martin, William White, Jacob Catoon, Samuel Clevenger, James Wilhite, Jesse Voves, John Chapman, William Cooper, James Anderson and John Ingram (Vote rejected).
Judges of election were: James Anderson, William Cooper, William Jobe. Clerks were: John Ingram and James Wilhite.
Missouri became a state in 1820, and at its first session of the Missouri State Legislature begun in St. Louis, September 19, 1820, an act was passed organizing, among others, Saline County.
In "The encyclopedia of the History of Missouri" edited by Conrad, 1910. volume V. pgs. 475-477, we find:
In 1815 James Wilhite and William Hays from Tennessee, located not far from the present day site of Cambridge and Jacob Ish came the following year. A daughter of Ish was the first white child born in the county.
Prior to 1820, what is now Saline County was a portion of Cooper County. It was created by the Act of the General Assembly, November 25, 1820 and was named for the many salt springs it contained. Jefferson on the Missouri River a short distance from the present town of Cambridge was designated as the County Seat.
Bartholomew Gwinn, a Virginian, and George Tennille of French descent were appointed County Justices. The Court first met April 16, 1821 when Benjamin Chamber, a Pennsylvanian was appointed clerk.
There were salt works at one or two laces in the county, where, although the machinery and the methods employed in the manufacture were of the crudest and simplest form and character a very fair article, in very respectable quantities, of salt was produced. It was thought then, that in time, salt manufacture would be the leading industry of the county, and its most valuable feature.
The first school was taught in the Big Bottom by John Hurd, in 1817. Rev Finis Clark, a Baptist, preached at the house of William Hays in the same year, which likely was the first sermon delivered in the township.
"On June 26, 1842, Brethren David Anderson and Abner Gwinn formed a presbytery at the house of James Crosslin in Saline County, did constitute the following named members into a Baptist Church of Jesus Christ to be known by the name of Fish Creek: James Thrailkill, Joseph Thrailkill, John Crosslin, William Ish, Elias Wilhite, Susan Thrailkill, Elizabeth Doak, Nancy Wilhite." Elias Wilhite, Clerk. William Hays and William Ish were ordained as Deacons Oct 3, 1842.
The first house of worship was built in 1849 and the second in 1869. This building was destroyed by a wind storm in 1885, and was later rebuilt. The third house of worship is still standing.
"Contract and Specifications for the building of the Fish Creek Baptist Church, April 27, 1869".
This agreement made and entered into this the 27th day of April, 1869, by and between James Hays, Absolom Gwinn, William C. Kelly, Marion Wilhite, A.J Plemmons, a committee of the Fish Creek Baptist Church in Saline County, appointed to superintend the building of a church house for the use of the membership, parties of the first part; and J.O. Brown and James Sappington, of Saline County, parties of the second part. Where forth that the parties of the second part have contracted with the parties of the first part, to furnish all the material and build a church house for use of the membership of the said Fish Creek Baptist Church; at or near the location of the present church house, the place be selected by the parties of the first part, according to the following olans and specifications to wit: a house to be 36 by 50 feet, 14 fete high, to be a frame building, sills to be of good white or burr oak 10 by 12 inches, corner post eight inches square of light material, studding 2 by 5 inch oak or pine; lower joist 2 by 12 inches oak or pine, upper joist 2by 8 inches oak or pine, a sill to run through the house length wise in the center to support the joist to be framed into the end sills, three post 8 inches square to rest upon this sill to support the roof, a girder of oak 8 by 8 inches, upper joist to be mortised into this girder, and to project one foot over to receive cornice, and every fifth one it to be 4 b8 inches, and upon each of these square post 6 by 6 inches need to be placed as in draft, upon these post a purlined plate in each side post, same run as lower. (It is agreed that the building shall be wainscoted three feet from the floor up, say as high as the windows) and in draft brace 3 by 4 inches purlin tied together at at each post, tie a 4 by 4 inch a joist to lay flat on joist between square post and two braces or post between each post from this joist to purlin, lower rafters 2 by 5 inches, upper rafters 2 by 4 inches to be 2 feet apart, studding 16 inches apart; upper joist 2 feet apart, lower joist 2 feet apart and let in with double tusk, every fourth one dove-tailed. Four windows on each side, twenty four light, glass 10 by 14 inches with good venetian blinds; two stove flues; two doors 3 by 7 feet with good locks; number 1 pine shingles; shaved flooring, second rate clear yellow pine siding, second clear white pine finishing lumber; roof to project 15 inches over each end. Two good coats of paint. Corner post to be braced at both end. Four feet run foundation to be of stone, 20 inches underground and one foot above at the lowest place; to be be 18 inches wide underground and 12 inches above ground to be laid in good lime mortar; stone pillars 2 feet square under each center post and one between, making 6 pillars under the middle sill. All the above work to be done in a neat workman like manner and none but the best of the grade to be used, all of which will appear by a specification hereto attached. It is also agreed that in case the committee may desire to make alterations in the specifications, it may be done by the consent of the contracting part on such terms as may be agreed upon, and not to invalidate this contract on the hands of parties of the second part. The parties of the second part are to complete the work on or before the first day of August, 1869 and deliver the house to said parties of the first part. The parties of the first part are to pay said parties of the second part, for the work and materials furnished in accordance with the above specifications, the sum of $2000.00; $1000.00 in advance and $1000.00 on the completion of the work according to the contract. In order to secure the completion of the said work, to said contract and specification, we the said Brown and Sappington as principals and William M. Davidson, Jeff R. Howard, R. C. Fitzgerald and R. H. Davidson as securities and duly held and bound unto the said parties as a contract and final bind.
James Hays, A.J. Plemmons, Jeff Howard, Absoom Gwinn, J.C. Brown, R.W. Davidson, W.C. Kelly, Jas. Sappington. R.C. Fitzgerald, W.M. Wilhite, W.N. Davidson.
Original paper in possession of Agnes Cott.
Copied from a paper written by Mrs. W. M. Wilhite, now in the possession of Agnes Cott:
The second church house of the Fish Creek Baptist Church was built; and dedicated in the fall of 1869 by W.M. Bell. Committee on building was James Hays, chairman; A.J. Plemmons, W.M. Wilhite, Absolom Gwinn, and Wm. C. Kelly. The committee for raising money for the building was Brethren James Hays, A.J. Plemmons, William Crosslin. They raised by subscription $2,027.00.
W.M. Wilhite and wife were dismissed by letter from Fish Creek Baptist Church in Dec 1874 and united with Arrow Rock Baptist Church. John M. Field received by experience in Oct, 1869. Cimantha Field joined Oct 17, 1869. J. Mullins was received 1869. W.P. Morrison received 1870. At that meeting thirty four were baptized.
Bro. Cleveland was called to the church in Jan, 1872, $200.00 salary.
This was taken from the Church Book in 1897, by Mrs. W.M. Wilhite.
From the Slater News-Rustler of 1942, prior to the Centennial Celebration of Fish Creek Baptist Church;
J.H. Netherton, one of the old timers of the Fish Creek Baptist Church was apleasnt visitor at the News-Rustler office Saturday afternoon, and he gave us an old time newspaper clipping, giving some interesting data on the history of Fish Creek Baptist Church, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary next June. The article concerning the history of the church was written by D.C. Bolton, and is authentic and is in part as follows:
This is one of the constituent churches of the Saline association and was organized at the house of James Crosslin, with eight members, by David Anderson and A. Gwinn June 26, 1842. Those who entered the organization were James Thrailkill, Joseph Thrailkill, John Crosslin, Elias Wilhite, Susan Thrailkill. Elizabeth Doak and Nancy Wilhite.
One of the songs sung at the organization was "See The Fountain Opens Wide". The name "Fish Creek" was given by James Thrailkill, who was the oldest of the constituent members. The congregation first met at what was called the "Denny House". In 1848 the church completed its first house of worship, with a seating capacity of 200, located on land the gift of James Crosslin. The Fish Creek Church was probably the third Baptist Church organized in the county. The ministers who served the church while they worshiped in the first building were as follows: Thomas Fristoe, Amos Hoen, Western Woolard, J.D. Murphy, and W.R. McLain.
The first house pf worship, proving to be too small, was soon torn down and a much larger one erected, a few feet from the location of the former building. The second house of worship was dedicated in September 1869. Rev. Wm. M. Bell who was then the pastor, preaching the sermon.
Great prosperity followed the labors of this band, and in 1880 the church had grown vastly in influence and numbers and had on its rolls two hundred and fifty names, and was then the largest Church in the Saline Association. The men who ministered to the spiritual need needs of the members while they used the second meeting house were: W.M. Bell. G.P. Beswick. William Cleveland. J.L. Tichenor, I.B. Dotson and J.F. Thomason.
Rev. Thomason was the thirteenth pastor of the church. He was a merchant and lived at Little Rock when he began his work with the church, but some years later moved to Blue Springs, in Jackson County, from which point he continued to fill his appointment at Fish Creek. His pastorate lasted about thirteen years. Mr. Thomason had a most lovable disposition and he won people without an effort. Being of fine personal appearnce, having a smooth sympathetic voice, using plain language, and discarding everything that favored affection, his appeals always came with convincing force.
When the time for protracted meetings came, it was not unusual for him to do the preaching and conduct the meetings himself, and sometimes he would have thirty or forty additions to the church.
On the night of June 19, 1885, the second building was blown down by a violent storm. It was not long however until a third one was erected and on the same foundation as the second. Which is the building that is in use at the present, and in Nov of this year (1885) Rev. Bell was again called on to preach the dedicatory sermon.
In addition to the names already mentioned above the following named were also pastors: Rev. B.E. Harl, Rev. George W. Norvell, Rev. W.H. Lyburn, Rev. J.S. Henry, Rev. F.G. Rogers, Rev. W.R. Pitman (supply), Rev. G.W. McClanahan and Rev. J.N. Wynn, the latter being the pastor at the time this article was written.
This church has been noted throughout its history for its fine singing. The Morgans, the Nethertons, the Duncans and others have thrilled many a preacher and many a congregation with their melody of song. Another notable feature of this church has been the successful protracted meetings. Several times they have had thirty, forty or fifty additions to the church and once, during the pastorate of Rev. I.B. Dotson, they had over one hundred professions of faith in one of these meetings. No wonder the Saline Association is glad to meet with this church. It has held its sessions with the church in 1849, 1875, 1889 and 1904.
Incidentally it might be mentioned that Mr. Netherton who is 86 years of age, has been a member of the Fish Creek Church since he was a boy in his teens and he and his family have contributed much to the continuance and the success of the church. Until only a very few recent years. Mr. Netherton was one of the fine singers of the church and his songs have delighted and thrilled and comforted and cheered the congregation on hundreds of occasions.
Two early schools in the Fish Creek community were Pleasant Valley School, one mile east of Fish Creek Church, and Pleasant Hill School, about three fourth's of a mile southwest of the church. These were used until the 1950's when they were consolidated with Orearville R-4 district.
Pleasant Hill School burned in 1948 and was replaced with a new building which was sold in 1954 for a residence. In 1956, Pleasant Valley School building and grounds were sold. The building is still standing and used as hay storage. Many Wilhite's, Hays, Duncan's, Netherton's, Cott's, Dille's, Johnson's and Huff's were among those who attended these schools.
Among the teachers were Elias Cott, Harry Johnson, Janie Johnson Taylor, Mattie Johnson Edwards. Dorothy Venable Duncan, Azo B. Cott, Lucile Field Cott, Doris Huff Cott and Grace Huff Cott.
Will of Martha Hamilton Hays:
I, Martha Hays, of Saline County in the State of Missouri becoming of sond mind and disposing memory, but knowing the uncertainty of life, do make and publish this, my last will and testament as follows:
Item 1 - After my death, I will and bequeath unto my two sons McBride Hays and James Hays of Saline County in the State of Missouri, to be divided equally between them, share and share alike, all the money, bonds, notes and accounts I may die possesses of , and belonging to me, or to which I may be entitled to in law or equity, and my executors shall collect all money on hand, divide it equally between my two said sons and also all my cattle, stock or horses I may die possessed of, I will, shall be equally divided between my said two sons, and if either of my two sons should die before I do, I will share above devised to parent shall be divided among the children of such deceased one.
Item 2 - I will and bequeath to my said son James Hays, a large feather bed; the rest of my household furniture; Clothing and beds and bedding I give and bequeath to my four daughters Mary Herring,, Sarah Gwinn, Charity Wilhite and Frances Gillet to be equally divided between them by my executors.
Item 3 - It is not my will or my desire that any other of my children or grandchildren shall have any portion of my estate, therefore I give to my grandchildren of Thomas Hays the sum of one dollar; to my grandchildren who are the children of Lydia Wilhite who was the wife of William Wilhite, the sum of one dollar; to my grandchildren who are the children of Fanny Crosslin, wife of John Crosslin, the sum of one dollar; to my grandchildren who are the children of Elizabeth Job, the wife of Abram Job, the sum of one dollar; to my grandchildren who are the children of William Hays the sum of one dollar, being the object of this last request to make mention of my grandchildren.
Item 4 - I do make and constitute my two sons McBride Hays and James Hays the executors of this my last will and testament . In witness whereof I, the said Martha Hays have hereunto have set my hand and seal, this 12th day of November A.D. 1858.
Martha (her X mark) Hays
The name of Martha Hays was signed to this will be John J. Dille, by her direction, and then she made her mark to the same, in the presence of the undersigned, and in the presence of each other, whom she requested to witness the same.
John J. Dille
Nehemiah Dille
F. Shackleford
Biography of James Hays. Taken from 1876 Atlas of Saline County, Missouri:
Mr. James Hays grandfather, Nathaniel Hays was a South Carolinian and died while serving his country as a Revolutionary War soldier. His widow afterwards raised up their children on the Great Pee Dee River. William, Mr. James Hays father, married in his native state, Miss Martha Hamilton, daughter of another old Revolutionary War soldier, and early migrated to Tennessee. He moved to Howard County Missouri in 1815 and settled in Coopers Bottom, and in the fall of 1816 in Big Bottom, Clay township, of this county. He moved in 1823 into Bunker Hill settlement and lived here until his death in March 1, 1848. He was a soldier under Gen. Jackson in his campaigns against the Creek Indians and was a pious, worthy gentleman. He raised 11 children, three of whom were born after he came to Missouri. At the time of his death he had between 90-100 grandchildren. Three of his children are yet surviving (1876) James, McBride and Mary, wife of Hilman Herring, all of Saline County.
James Hays was born in Tennessee Jan 29, 1807. He was first married in 1839 to Rebecca Parkhurst, daughter of Joseph Fort and widow of Amos Parkhurst. This lady died in 1854 and left 9 children. His second lady was Miss Elizabeth Page, daughter of John and Mildred Page, by whom he has had one child, Sterling. He has been a lifelong democrat, cast his first vote for President Jackson and his last for the life of the Republic and Samuel J. Tilden.
Guy F. Hays Died Sunday
Guy Franklin Hays, aged 82, of Gilliam, died Sunday evening at Keller Memorial Hospital, Fayette, after being ill one month. He was the father of Guy F. Hays, Jr. of Slater. Burial was in the Slater City Cemetery. Mr. Hays was born March 16, 1890 south of Gilliam, the son of Sterling Hays and Lou McKinney Hays. He was married to Florena Haynes Fe 10. 1915 at Gilliam, who survives of the home. He had lived in the Slater and Gilliam area all of his life. Mr. Hays graduated from the Pleasant Valley School and attended William Jewell College. He was a retired employee of the City of Slater; a member of the Gilliam First Baptist Church and of the Cambridge Lodge 63, AF & AM. Surviving besides his wife of the home, and Guy F. (Bucky) Hays of Slater are a daughter Mrs. Charles D. Anderson. Colorado, Springs, Colorado; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister.
