Hiram Henry Hathaway, Jr was born in 1845 in St. Albans, Vermont. He was raised on his father's farm with union soldiers training in the fields and on the shores.
He built several camps that are still in use today, and was involved in the development of the area that is now Kill Kare State Park. He fished commercially, farmed, managed a campground, and was active in town affairs.
Hiram used to care for everyone, delivering supplies and mail. Each fall he brought everyone for hay-rides; young and old would climb on or hop off the trailer as it came by their campsites.
Hiram and his wife Mary suffered a tragic loss when their only child Frank went through the ice in St. Albans Bay and drowned. At twenty-seven years of age, Frank left behind a widow and a six year old son. That happened in 1912, just two years after the above 1910 images were printed.
Some of Hiram's diaries remain in the family today. Around 1888 most of the entries record farm information such as which hired-hands were paid how much ($10 a week seemed the norm) or how many horses were in the barn (anywhere from 6 to 30). Many of the pages and edges of pages are covered with calculations.
His wife Mary (Corliss) wrote about daily life differently in her diaries. In the 1910s she often mentioned what her only grandson Robert was doing that day... Robert was usually fishing.
Robert's grandfather Hiram served as his father-figure from the time he was 6 until he was in his last year of college. Among their many adventures together; they went on great fishing expeditions in Canada and across the United States, and wore out a World's Fair.
Hiram's maternal Grandfather served in a command position during the War of 1812. His paternal grandfather as well as 3 of his great-grandfathers and 2 great great grandfathers were Patriots of the American Revolutionary War.
During the Civil War Hiram was too young to serve and his father too old, but they hosted training at the farm. It's location and features were ideal for the purpose. The troops in training used to sing many songs while marching or by the campfire; one of their favorites was called "Hiram Hathaway" by the Reverend John Sewell.
His father in law Martin J. Corliss served with distinction in the war between the states.
Hiram passed away in 1928 at the age of 83, his wife Mary having left this earth 7 months prior. His only descendant and heir to Hathaway Point was little Robert, then just 21 years of age.
An only child of an only child, Robert married Helen Bell and went on to father two daughters and one son. They in turn gave him 7 grandchildren, who bore children of their own.
Descendants still live on Hiram's farm today.
Hathaway Point FaceBook Page
