James C. Hathaway

Born 1816, Plymouth County, England, imagrated US 1832
Served as Chaplin to the Company C, 39th. Regiment of Jay County, Indiana 1861-62
Text of letter dated Sunday, December 21, 1861

Dear Brethern,

I cannot but contrast this Sabbath morning the difference between our situation at this moment. You are preparing to worship God in your little church and to listen to the words of "Peace On Earth Good Will To Men." While I, your brother, am laying close to the trembling earth made so by the whizzing of balls and shell aimed for our destruction. You will no doubt be interested in the character of my reflections and feelings in this circumstance. After singing "The Lord Is My Shepard" I commit myself, my family, my brethern and my country into God's keeping. The result is a calmness and resignation that is almost surprising to myself. How far I shall be able to maintain this state of feeling of course I cannot tell. However I trust that I shall be enabled to find strength in his promise. The Lord is a present help in every time of need and as the day is so shall thy strength be, not a sparrow falls to the ground without our Heavenly Father knowing. So why need I be afraid?

                Now, brethern, as in regards to the principles we are fighting for in the face of death I believe we are right. I have lived by them and stood up for them in life, and if it please God that I should now die I shall die with full confidence that piety to God and humanity to man are the the same in the name of Christ's Holy Religion. I exhort you therefore to stand fast by them. Stand up for Jesus.
                We preachers may always be unpopular among men, yet it pays to have the conciousness that all is well when there is danger in every step and one looks death square in the face. "We are looking every moment for the order to charge."
                Farewell, may the peace of God that passeth all understanding be with you to the end. Amen
(from a typed photo copy -- said to be in Jay County History)ALT

The following paragraph in the family history is as it was told to me many years ago, and the text was found among my mother's papers. It proves to be a great example about how memories can fail and myths can be created. I've done considerable research and discovered that James Christian Hathaway's second wife was Martha Caroline Eley born in Ohio. ALT 2005

James Christian Hathaway

Born in Coventry England in 1813, James Christian Hathaway came to the United States in 1829. He was fist married to ------ Harkness and they had three children: Fanny, Martha and John. Following the death of this first wife he married Harriet Eley who came from Eley England. They had the following five children: Kathryn, William, George Aaron, Louvina, and Harriet. Kathryn (Kate) married John Strater. William (Dack) married Minnie Puterbaugh. Louvina (Lou) married Steven Richards. Harriet (Het) married Harv Van Note.

Hathaway's of Indiana

George Aaron Hathaway married Jane Parsons in 1869, to them were born:
                    1. Violet...........Married Lew Hiatt..............Their children were Harriet, William, Velma, Naomi, George, Lewis, Dolly, Alfred and Alberta.
                    2. Alma............Married John Ray.............. Children were Howard and Marion.
                    3. Cora............Married Charles Hiester......Their children: Marie, Fay, Ester, Helen and Robert.
                    4. Micheal........Married Emma Shock.........Children: Ethel, Elmer, Paul, Edith, Melvin, Raymond and Leland.
                    5. Stephen........Married Roxy Shaneyfelt....Children: George, Murl and Earl (twins) Cecil and Gladys.
                    6. William ........Married Della Poorman......Children: Orla, Marion, Noel, Violet, Velma, Helen, Ermal, Treva and Althea.
Jane Parsons passed away. George Aaron then married Mary Ella Michaels. Their children:
                    1. Edna............Married Mack Evens..........Children: Ora, Roe, Virgil, Louella (Dolly), Robert, Thurl and Jean.
                    2. Louie...........Married Bill Kemp..............Children: Kenneth.
                   3. Charles........Married Elma Harris............Children: Eileen and Constance.
                    4. Blanche.......Married Bill Parsons............Children: Gerald, Herbert, Laycell, James, Bernard, and Ray. Parsons passed away, Blanche married                                                                                        Dan Hole . One child born to them............Ada Margaret.
                    5. Margaret ....Married Elmer Mitchell.........Children: James, Ella, Millard, Veron, Sam and Tom.
                    6. James passed away in 1918.
                    7. Basil............Married Lena Metzger..........Children: Charles, Nilah, Basil Leon, (Bud) Paul and Pauline (twins). Lena passed away, Basil married                                                                                        Maryanna Sutton . Their children: James, John, Ann, Gay and Kay, (twins) Donald and Samual.
                   8. Ada.............Married Bernard Chew ........Children: Barrbara.
                   9. Leon............Married Garnet Shank..........Children: Wilma, Roberta, Jean, Lynn.
                10. Gaynell........Married Lawrence Shirk.......Children: Diane. Divorced, marrred James Maxwell, one child Honey Lou.

(Source a typed copy found with mother's papers) ALT

Hathaway Family Tree

Great Gr. Gr.Gr Gr. Grand ParentsElias Courtney & Mary Pavy Edward & Hulda Thurber
Great Gr. Gr.Gr. Grand ParentsBuefort Courtney & Almira Thurber			James C. Hathaway & Harriet Eley

Great Gr.Gr. Grand ParentsMartha Jane Courtney & John N. Poorman	George Aaron Hathaway & Jane Parsons
Great Gr. Grand ParentsDella Mae Poorman & William Orla Hathaway

Great Grand Parents, Great Aunts & Uncles Orla Hathaway	Marion Hathaway	Noel Hathaway	Violet Wineland Giglio	Velma Ritter	Helen Byers Hines	Treva Kelley	Ermel Hathaway	Marjoie Taylor
		Grand Parents, gr. Aunts & Uncles Nk Hathaway	Susan Gramelt Jack & Thomas Giglio	Jimmie Ritter	Ellen & David Byers Danny Hines	Nola Kelly		Al Taylor

Parents, Aunts & Uncles Morgan's mother and father?
Morgan Dobins

Chapter 17 Jay County History 1864

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