1From Benjamin Franklin to ——, 25 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
We got to Hays’s the same Evening we left you and reviewed Craig’s Company by the Way. Much of the next morning was within erected, which was compleated the next morning, when we dismissd Foulk’s and Wetterholt’s Companies, and sent Hays’s down for a Convoy of Provisions.
2[Benjamin Franklin?] to ——, 8 January 1756 (Franklin Papers)
William Hays; see above, p. 344.
3[Benjamin Franklin?] to ——, 25 December 1755 (Franklin Papers)
Marches for Gnadenhütten about noon; spends night at Hays’ Tavern.
4John Adams to Abigail Adams, 23 June 1774 (Adams Papers)
We have had a vast Abundance of Rain here this Week and hope you have had a Sufficiency with you. But the Plenty of it, will render the Making of Hay the more critical, and you must exhort Bracket to be vigilant, and not let any of the Grass suffer, if he can help it.
5John Adams to Abigail Adams, 1 July 1774 (Adams Papers)
I am so idle, that I have not an easy Moment, without my Pen in my Hand. My Time might have been improved to some Purpose, in mowing Grass, raking Hay, or hoeing Corn, weeding Carrotts, picking or shelling Peas. Much better should I have been employed in schooling my Children, in teaching them to write, cypher, Latin, French, English and Greek.
6John Adams to Abigail Adams, 6 July 1774 (Adams Papers)
I believe it is Time to think a little about my Family and Farm. The fine Weather, we have had for 8 or 10 days past I hope has been carefully improved to get in my Hay. It is a great Mortification to me that I could not attend every Step of their Progress in mowing, making and carting. I long to see what Burden.
7Mercy Otis Warren to Abigail Adams, 9 August 1774 (Adams Papers)
“I catch myself however, now and then, among the Hay Cocks bestowing most hearty Execrations, on a few Villains, who have dignified themselves by Superlative Mischief to their native Country, the British Empire and the World” (
8Elizabeth Smith to John Adams, 14 October 1774 (Adams Papers)
...our Habitations, and wound our Peace.—Oh my Brother! Oppresion is enough to make a wise people Mad. I have Just heard of the cruel and unjust Treatment of some of our Men, who were bringing Salt Hay from Noddles Island in a Lighter. She was seized by one of the Tenders, our Men detained, and threatened with being put in Irons. After many In-treaties they were suffered (as an act of Mercy)...Hay
9From John Adams to Zabdiel Adams, 23 July 1763 (Adams Papers)
P.S. If you should not come soon to Braintree write me,—I am in great Haste. Hay, Corn, Barley, Law, Love, and Politicks, plague me to death, coming all together so in a Huddle.
10From George Washington to Henry Bouquet, 7 July 1758 (Washington Papers)
A Pretty good stock of liquor came up with the last Convoy. We have no Hay at this place—twas Corn I calld forage.