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.
