Birth
Azor Tabor Hayes, the son of Thomas J. Hayes (B. Jan 23, 1796, D. Dec 15, 1846) and Mary Curran (B. Nov 7, 1802, D. Oct 3, 1887), was born in Berne, November 27, 1843.[1][2] He was the youngest boy of twelve children.[1] His father died several years after his birth.[1] His surname has also been spelled Hays.
Marriage
Azor did not marry before he died.
Military Service
| Name: | Azor T. Hays |
| Residence: | Berne[3] |
| Place of Birth: | Berne, NY[3] |
| Names of Parents: | Thomas (Hayes) and Mary E.[3] |
| Marital Status: | Single[3] |
| Occupation: | Farmer[3] |
| Term of Enlistment: | 3 years[3] |
| Enlistment Date: | 10 Nov 1861 |
| Enlistment Place: | Albany[3] |
| Enlistment Rank: | Private |
| State Served: | New York |
| Regiment: | 93rd, NY |
| Company: | E |
| Killed in Action on: | 6 May 1864 |
| Place of Death: | Near Spotsylvania, VA[3] Battle of the Wilderness |
| Additional Remarks: "Killed in the Battle of the Wilderness place of burial unknown"[3] |
| Sources Used: 1865 census, Berne, Albany Co., NY; Heroes of Albany; Howell, George Rogers, History of the County of Albany, NY from 1609-1886, W. W. Munsell & Co., 1886, page 817; Town and City Registers of Men Who Served in the Civil War; Stapleton, Euretha Wolford, Town of Berne Historian, “Our Heritage”, Published by Town of Berne, 1977; Ancestry’s Military Databases, www.ancestry.com; Civil War Pension Index, www.ancestry.com |
Life
Azor was born and raised in Berne.[1] His father Thomas J. Hayes died on December 15, 1846, so Azor would not have really remembered him.[1] Azor was raised in a large family of which he was the youngest boy.[1][4] Luckily his family owned their farm and by the time his father died, Azor's older brothers were old enough to handle many of the responsibilities.[4] They lived in a wooden framed house valued at $1200 in 1855 which was quite valuable at the time.[5] Azor apparently received a good education as he was still in school at the age of 16 in 1860.[6]
While in service he was remembered by his friends and neighbors in Berne; George Warner wrote in his diary on January 21st, 1862 "Azor Hays is with the 96. Thare has been a fight in Kentucky. Our troops were victorious. Gen. Zolincoffer was killed."[7]
Death
Azor was killed on 6 May 1864 at the Battle of the Wilderness in Spotsylvania, Va.[1][2] His burial place is very likely where he fell. After his death his mother Mary filed for his Civil War pension on December 24, 1864.[8]
Azor's Will
The will is very faded, but legible if it's enlarged.
The will was written on January 23, 1864, proved and recorded on November 13, 1864
Additional Research Notes
Heroes of Albany County
AZOR T. HAYES, OF BERN
Azor T. Hayes, the son of Thomas J. and Mary Hayes, was born in Bern, November 27, 1843. At the age of nine years he became a Christian, and united with the Lutheran Church at Bern. While at school he distinguished for his excellent deportment, his fine oratory and his fondness for history.
At the commencement of the war he desired to enlist to fight for his country; but his mother felt that he was too young, and that he would be exposed to many temptations in the camp. Besides, she was a widow, and dependent, in a great measure, upon him for a support. He however, told his mother of several noble men who had been earnest and self sacrificing patriots, and who had won for themselves a prominent place in history; and he thought that perhaps he might become distinguished.
Before he was eighteen years of age he enlisted in Company E., Ninety-third N.Y. Regiment. He served faithfully for two years when his time expired. He re-enlisted, and was with the regiment in all the battles in which it was engaged, up to the time of his death. Of the circumstances of his death and burial we know nothing.
In the letters which he wrote to his mother he expressed the deepest interest in the cause to which he had devoted himself, and said that, if he fell in battle, all would be well. He leaves a widowed mother, several little sisters and brothers, and a large circle of friends, to mourn his loss.
Town and City Registers of Men Who Served in the Civil War
Killed in the Battle of the Wilderness place of burial unknown
Sources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Bernehistory.org
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Clark, Rufus Wheelwright, "Heroes of Albany; A memorial of the Patriot-martyrs of the City and County", 1867
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Town and City Registers of Men Who Served in the Civil War
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 US Censuses
- ↑ 1855 NY State Census, Berne, Albany Co, NY
- ↑ 1860 US Census, Berne, Albany Co, NY
- ↑ George Warner diaries, www.albanyhilltowns.com
- ↑ Civil War Pension Index, www.ancestry.com
