Dyer served in the Revolutionary War. He died intestate and his widow Hannah submitted a list of her children to the Berkshire probate court. The judge ordered that 30 acres of land from Dyer's farm be set off for son Ersastus, daughter Lois, and the parents of Dyer's first wife. There appeared to be friction between Hannah and her step-children. They had to petition the court for their share of Dyer's farm. Hannah had William jailed until he paid $964 she claimed he owed her, and in order to pay her, he apparently had to sell everything he owned.