William Byrd Hay was born in the year 1840 in Lee Co. Georgia.  William was one of eight sons born to Abraham and Sarah Hay.  Shortly after William's birth Abraham and Sarah relocated to Florida where they settled in Hernando County.  In 1860 Abraham Hay settled on 60 acres of property in Hernando County, which contained $300 in improvements.  Abraham recieved deed to his property in 1863 further revealing that he had purchased his 60 acres from the State of Florida for 25 cents per acre. According to Hernando County resident Capt. Samuel Hope, "Abraham lived in Hernando County at the beginning of the war and had eight sons.  Hope further explains, that at the start of the war, "seven of eight sons marched out at the first tap of the drum and enrolled in Capt. Saxon's Company, only two of the seven returned from war" and William B. Hay was one of them.  The other was Jefferson Taylor Hay. On August 10, 1861 William B. Hay enlisted at Brooksville, Florida for service with the Confederate States Army and was mustered with Company C of the 3rd Florida Infantry under Capt. Walter T. Saxon, this company was also known as the Hernando Wild Cats.  By March of 1862 Hay had been promoted to 2nd Sergent and by May of 1864 was promoted to 5th Sergent. In August of 1864 his company was engaged in battle near Atlanta, Georgia.  On August 7, 1864 William B. Hay was shot by a Union minnie ball, which entered his right cheek and came out his neck on the opposite side.  In addition to being shot Hay received considerable wounds to his right arm, which left it nearly disabled.  According to Capt. Walter T. Saxon, "when Hay was shot I thought he was killed, he laid on the ground all night."  It is believed that William Hay was finally rescued by his brother, Jefferson T. Hay.  According to Jefferson Hay, he tended and dressed William's wounds. William B. Hay was sent to a field hospital somewhere near to Atlanta where he appeared on the last pay roll, in August of 1864.  William B. Hay was recorded as being 5'6" tall with blue eyes, light hair and skin.  On August 28, 1864, after being in a field hospital for 20 days, William B. Hay was discharged from service at Atlanta, Georgia on account of his serious wounds.  Upon being discharged William Hay returned to Hernando County where he would engage in farming. In December of 1869 W.B. Hay was recorded has having 69 acres of property located in section 17, township 19, range 21, which was located north-west of the Lake Lindsey Community.  Here, William used 15 acres of the 69 to cultivate and engage in farming, he also had a home where he lived by his self since he was not married.  In addition William owned 2 horses that he likely used for transportation.  By December of 1872 William had sold one acre of his property, however he had acquired 3 cattle and 15 hogs, his cattle were likely used for milking.  William lived at this location for nearly 11 years before he moved farther south. On February 11, 1880 William Hay purchased 40 acres of property from the State of Florida, which is further described as being located in section 22, township 24, range 16.  This 40 acres of property was located just north of the small community of Hudson, which had been settled a year or so prior.  Being situated along the water, William decided to take his place behind the helm of a boat on the Gulf water, by 1880 he is shown as a sailor by trade.  In addition to sailing the Gulf waters, William also continued to engage in farming and he planted orange groves on his property.  On February 14, 1883 William Hay purchased an additional 40 acres of property from the State of Florida.  This property is further described as being located in section 22, township 24, range 16 and adjoining to his previous property.  From this property William made a good living from his orange groves, until the groves were lost in a freeze.  This was likely the freeze that occurred around 1886. On July 12, 1886 William B. Hay married to Mary Baker, who also living in Hudson at the time.  William and Mary continued to live in Hudson and raise a family.  On October 6, 1889 William and Mary had their first child who they name John Olan. On May 19, 1893 William B. Hay died at the age of 53 years old.  At the time of his death, William had four small children since he had married only 7 years prior.  The youngest child living in the Hay household at the time of William's death was Ella Mae who was only 2 years old.  William B. Hay was buried in the East Elfers Cemetery.  Today William's grave lies unmarked in the East Elfers Cemetery but he is believed to be buried near to his brother Jefferson Taylor Hay.  After William's death in 1893 his wife, Mary Baker Hay, remarried to a man by the name of Nickhauer, she afterwards went by the name Mary Baker Wickham. (Research by Jeff Cannon- Copyright © 2008)