Captain Benjamin Hathaway

Benjamin Hathaway is regarded to be the donor of the land on which the original Presbyterian Church in Morristown was built in 1742. In addition to Benjamin Hathaway, there are nine other Hathaways buried in the grave yard of the Presbyterian Church. See the Who's Who in the grave yard based on church records.

Benjamin Hathaway was the first President of the Board of Trustees when the church was incorporated in 1756. He is referred to as a neighbor of Reverend Timothy Johnes. On Erskine's map, Reverend Timothy Johnes's house is located on the present site of the Mid-Town Shopping Plaza at the corner of Morris and Spring Streets. Based on the monograph, Benjamin Hathaway's house would be the one across Morris Street about on the present site of Cutter's Grill

The monograph makes reference to Benjamin Hathaway being a Physician and Innkeeper. However, the church records (i.e., The Combined Registers at Page 101) show a Dr. Benjamin Hathaway with no date of death. The church records (Ibid) show the Benjamin Hathaway, who was the church Trustee, as Captain Benjamin Hathaway (died 21 Apr 1762, age 63). I think the writer of the monograph was in error in believing that the Physician and the Captain were one and the same.

Benjamin Hathaway Headstone Epitaph:

      In Memory of Benjamen [sic]

       Harthaway [sic] Esqr. Aged

       63 years Dead Apr 21 1762

   Here sey Remains of him that was a Esq.

   may Rest with Kings & Princesley Dust

   Until ye World Desolves In Flameing Fire

   At ye Last Resurrection of ye Just

   When ye arch Angels trumpets Sound

   Arise ye Dead appear before ye Lord.

   when christ will meet ye Righsous In Cload

   & Crowns of Glory will be their Reward

There is a Hathaway Rd. named after the family in Morris Plains, NJ

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cafamilies/gard/h...