Her birth name was Minerva Hays Dunn. Her death certificate says she was born "about 1847" whereas the headstone says 1848. The DC also says her mother was Minerva Hays Dunn but that can't be correct based on the dates. Her father, William M. Dunn was first married to Minerva Hays. Minerva died in Dec. 1846 making it impossible for her to be the mother of Hays. William Dunn married Emily F. Collins in January 1848. The most likely conclusion that can be drawn is that Hays was the daughter of William and his second wife, Emily and was named in honor of her father's first wife. A common occurrence for the time period. Hays married John C. Fizer on November 7 1866, her name appears as Miss M.H. Dunn on the license. The wedding announcement says Fizer and Dunn were married at the home of Frank Ball. Frank Ball was the second husband of Emily Dunn so the wedding was held at the home of her mother and step-father.
Public Ledger
Nov 8 1866
Married
Fizer - Dunn. Yesterday by the Rev. Mr. Davis, at the residence of Mr. Frank Ball, in this vicinity, Gen. John C. Fizer and Miss Hays Dunn. Thus has the soldier who in the late war, won the praise of all men for his gallantry, surrendered to that which is more formidable than clashing arms, the fascinations of worth and beauty.
After the death of her first husband, she married William Holder Berry on July 1, 1880. In 1885 Hays Berry filed for divorce..."Mr. W.H. Carroll, sitting as special chancellor, last week in the case of Berry vs. Berry, decided, first, that Mrs. Berry was entitled to a divorce a vinculo matrimonii; second, that she should be restored to her name of Hays D. Fizer; third, that she was entitled to alimony; fourth, that she was entitled to fees for her counsel; fifth, that she was to be put in possession of her property. W. H. Berry has brought suit in the Chancery Court against L.H. Estes, guardian; Mary Fizer, Julia Fizer, Hays Fizer and Mrs. Hays D. Berry to wind up the guardianship commenced in the Probate Court. Source: Memphis Daily Appeal Feb 24 1885
Public Ledger
Nov 8 1866
Married
Fizer - Dunn. Yesterday by the Rev. Mr. Davis, at the residence of Mr. Frank Ball, in this vicinity, Gen. John C. Fizer and Miss Hays Dunn. Thus has the soldier who in the late war, won the praise of all men for his gallantry, surrendered to that which is more formidable than clashing arms, the fascinations of worth and beauty.
After the death of her first husband, she married William Holder Berry on July 1, 1880. In 1885 Hays Berry filed for divorce..."Mr. W.H. Carroll, sitting as special chancellor, last week in the case of Berry vs. Berry, decided, first, that Mrs. Berry was entitled to a divorce a vinculo matrimonii; second, that she should be restored to her name of Hays D. Fizer; third, that she was entitled to alimony; fourth, that she was entitled to fees for her counsel; fifth, that she was to be put in possession of her property. W. H. Berry has brought suit in the Chancery Court against L.H. Estes, guardian; Mary Fizer, Julia Fizer, Hays Fizer and Mrs. Hays D. Berry to wind up the guardianship commenced in the Probate Court. Source: Memphis Daily Appeal Feb 24 1885
Her birth name was Minerva Hays Dunn. Her death certificate says she was born "about 1847" whereas the headstone says 1848. The DC also says her mother was Minerva Hays Dunn but that can't be correct based on the dates. Her father, William M. Dunn was first married to Minerva Hays. Minerva died in Dec. 1846 making it impossible for her to be the mother of Hays. William Dunn married Emily F. Collins in January 1848. The most likely conclusion that can be drawn is that Hays was the daughter of William and his second wife, Emily and was named in honor of her father's first wife. A common occurrence for the time period. Hays married John C. Fizer on November 7 1866, her name appears as Miss M.H. Dunn on the license. The wedding announcement says Fizer and Dunn were married at the home of Frank Ball. Frank Ball was the second husband of Emily Dunn so the wedding was held at the home of her mother and step-father.
Public Ledger
Nov 8 1866
Married
Fizer - Dunn. Yesterday by the Rev. Mr. Davis, at the residence of Mr. Frank Ball, in this vicinity, Gen. John C. Fizer and Miss Hays Dunn. Thus has the soldier who in the late war, won the praise of all men for his gallantry, surrendered to that which is more formidable than clashing arms, the fascinations of worth and beauty.
After the death of her first husband, she married William Holder Berry on July 1, 1880. In 1885 Hays Berry filed for divorce..."Mr. W.H. Carroll, sitting as special chancellor, last week in the case of Berry vs. Berry, decided, first, that Mrs. Berry was entitled to a divorce a vinculo matrimonii; second, that she should be restored to her name of Hays D. Fizer; third, that she was entitled to alimony; fourth, that she was entitled to fees for her counsel; fifth, that she was to be put in possession of her property. W. H. Berry has brought suit in the Chancery Court against L.H. Estes, guardian; Mary Fizer, Julia Fizer, Hays Fizer and Mrs. Hays D. Berry to wind up the guardianship commenced in the Probate Court. Source: Memphis Daily Appeal Feb 24 1885
Public Ledger
Nov 8 1866
Married
Fizer - Dunn. Yesterday by the Rev. Mr. Davis, at the residence of Mr. Frank Ball, in this vicinity, Gen. John C. Fizer and Miss Hays Dunn. Thus has the soldier who in the late war, won the praise of all men for his gallantry, surrendered to that which is more formidable than clashing arms, the fascinations of worth and beauty.
After the death of her first husband, she married William Holder Berry on July 1, 1880. In 1885 Hays Berry filed for divorce..."Mr. W.H. Carroll, sitting as special chancellor, last week in the case of Berry vs. Berry, decided, first, that Mrs. Berry was entitled to a divorce a vinculo matrimonii; second, that she should be restored to her name of Hays D. Fizer; third, that she was entitled to alimony; fourth, that she was entitled to fees for her counsel; fifth, that she was to be put in possession of her property. W. H. Berry has brought suit in the Chancery Court against L.H. Estes, guardian; Mary Fizer, Julia Fizer, Hays Fizer and Mrs. Hays D. Berry to wind up the guardianship commenced in the Probate Court. Source: Memphis Daily Appeal Feb 24 1885
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