James Hayes was born in Disley, Cheshire on 16th October 1785. His parents names are unknown at this stage, but may have been James Hayes and Mary Clayton.
He was married to Harriet Forder, most likely the daughter of John Forder and Mary Olden of Winterbourne Earls, by the Reverend Mr Dea at St James Church Bristol on the 29th September 1807.
James first appears in the pay lists of the 37th foot in the last quarter of 1809. He isn't in the pay lists prior to that one, but there is no indication anywhere, as to where he came from .This is very unusual. The pay lists were meticulously maintained, and if anyone transferred in from another regiment, or joined up, the details were recorded. For some reason it didn't happen in James case. James experienced some success in the army and was rapidly promoted through the ranks:
First appeared in 37th foot paylists 25th September 1809
Promoted to Corporal 25th January 1810
Promoted to Sergeant 24th March 1811
Promoted to Colour Sergeant June/September 1813
Promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant 26th March 1816
Promoted to Quartermaster 15th October 1829
Died at Falmouth Jamaica 1st November 1837
George was born on the 20th March 1812, on transport ship taking the regiment from England to Gribraltar. The pay lists don't give exact dates of the voyage, or names of the ships.
William was born at Gibraltar, 27th December 1813.
Joseph was born 25th February 1821 in Montreal in Canada.
James Hayes died 1st November 1837 of an illness while serving with the 37th Foot in Falmouth, Jamaica. His death is recorded in the pay lists of the 37th foot. He died without leaving a will and his wife and all three sons were still living, but not with him. By that time his son George Cathcart, was already married, had 2 sons and was living in Sydney Australia. His wife Harriet was living in the parish of Marlborough, Wiltshire. This small town is north of Salisbury and very close to Winterbourne Earls, where I believe Harriet was born. It is my belief that as her sons approached adulthood and needed apprenticeships, she returned to England taking her sons with her. One can only speculate on the state of the relationship between Harriet and her husband.
The year after James died, Harriet applied for and was granted a Widow's Pension. She received £36 per year, or £9 per quarter. She lived, at least for a time with Mrs Kindgom in Rollestone Street, Salisbury. However, she did not get to enjoy the situation for long, since she died herself on the 4th September 1840. The outstanding portion of her pension was forwarded at her death to her son Mr J Hayes.