Dr. John J. Dickey Diary, Fleming County, Ky. Recorded in the 1870's and beyond. Reprinted in Kentucky Explorer, Volume 10, No 8 February, 1996, p. 81. By permission. Clay County. WILLIAM WASHINGTON HAYRE - Clay Co., Ky., July 1, 1898. My grandfather Thomas Hayre was born in Ireland. He married Miss Martha Corrigan in Ireland. They came to America and settled in Iredell Co., N. C. They might have been married in America, both were born in Ireland. My father was William Corrigan Hayre. He was born in Iredell Co., N. C., in 1802 at least he was raised there. My father married Miss Nancy Patterson of Iredell Co., or at least in North Carolina. After his marriage, he and his father removed to the Cherokee Purchase, perhaps in N. C. and lived there about a year. My grandfather went back to Iredell Co. and my father came to Clay County, Kentucky about 1829. My mother's parents, John Patterson and wife were born in Scotland. They settled in N. C. when they came to America. John McLeod of Rockcastle River is a relative of the Pattersons. My ancestors were all Protestants or either Presbyterians or I learned it that way. My father and mother were Methodists. They joined in this county at Potter's Chapel. My mother died just in 1857 and my father in 1881. They were good people. When my father came from N. C. they had no penitentiary in that state. The second offense in theft was death. The Clay County lawyers would not have North Carolinians on juries in those days. They were afraid their clients would get justice. I married first Polina Hibbard who bore me five children: Frances (John Davidson); John C. married Hazel Roberts; Thomas married a Kersly; Robert married a Pennington; Buttler and Nancy. My second wife was Susan Benge, she had only one child, William Franklin. They all live in Clay and Laurel Counties. I am a member of the Methodist Church. Hayre Corrigan Patterson McLeod Hibbard Davidson Roberts Kersly Pennington Benge = Ireland Iredale-NC Scotland Laurel-KY http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/clay/hayre.ww.txt