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ABOUT THE HATHAWAY FAMILY ASSOCIATION



ABOUT THE HATHAWAY FAMILY ASSOCiATION





In the summer of 1914, an Episcopal clergyman from Pennsylvania came to Assonet, MA to look into his early ancestry, believing that he was descended from some Hathaways of Berkley, MA. His name was Harry St. Clair Hathaway. (photo: North Church in Assonet 1900 courtesy Barry French)


While here, he made the acquaintance of Mrs. Mary P. (Hathaway) Herbert, who was interested in all Hathaways, and was busy compiling a genealogy of all those she knew or had ever heard about. Rev. Hathaway met more relatives and found enough interest among them to begin the society.


The first meeting was planned for Fort Phoenix, in August of 1915. That year, Rev. Hathaway returned to Assonet with his wife and three young sons, and presided over the first meeting as vice-president. A president was elected, being named, appropriately enough, Nicholas Hathaway.


Harry St. Clair Hathaway was elected president at the second meeting, an office which he held for two years. At the end of that time he felt the office should be held by someone closer to this area. Benjamin F. Hathaway, of Taunton, was elected president at the 4th meeting.





Other early presidents were Charles W. Chace of Taunton, Benjamin W. Hathaway of Lynn, William A. McAuslan of Providence, R.I., William S. Hathaway of Fall River served as president for some 40 years, although not continuously.


Early meetings were almost always held in southern Bristol County near Fall River or Taunton. After the first Hathaway book was published in 1965, some meetings began to move further west, following the trail of the descendants, who had moved on from New England.


Early meetings were usually a one day event, being held in a popular park, lodge room, or local church. The churches provided the necessary lunches, and clambakes were most popular.


(Extracted from a report in Oct. of 1966 given by Florence E. Malone, Historian HFA)



Hathaway Family Association



Est. 1914