Washington

HASTINGS, Jonathan Hammond

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 186-187

Jonathan Hammond HASTINGS, of Waitsfield, was born 12 February 1824 in 
Waitsfield [Washington County, Vermont]. His father [Garinter HASTINGS?] 
came from New Hampshire to Waitsfield in 1823, where he followed the business 
of farming, innkeeper, and loaning money. With no educational advantages but 
those of the common schools, he [Jonathan] has acquired in his extensive 
business relations a wide knowledge of the world, and a large stock of 
general information. Owing to the ill health of his father he [Jonathan] was 
early called to the management of his financial affairs, which he safely 
conducted for him until his decease in 1857.

Since 1856 he [Jonathan Hammond HASTINGS] has retired from agricultural 
pursuits as his other business demanded his sole attention. For four years 
he was in partnership with R. J. GLEASON, engaging in general trade. The 
public has reposed such confidence in him that he has been called upon to 
settle a majority of the estates in the town for the past twenty-five years, 
also acting as guardian, trustee, referee, commissioner, and business 
adviser. He has been a director of the National Bank of Waterbury 
[Washington County, Vermont] since 1856, and is now vice president of the 
same.

Judge HASTINGS has been sought after to fill the various town offices, and 
the county has also sought his services as deputy and sheriff from 1847 to 
1860; was elected by a large Republican majority in 1862 and 1863 to the 
[state] Legislature; was the Republican choice to represent them in the 
Senate of which he was a member from 1869 to 1872, serving on the committee on 
claims, and chairman of the committee on banks. Elected assistant judge in 
1880; held that office four years; has acted as justice of the peace for more 
than thirty years; in 1892 representative in the House, where he served on 
the committee of ways and means; is now trustee of the public money and law 
agent for his town. Energetically devoted to the cause of temperance. Was a 
charter member of Waitsfield Lodge International Order of Good Templars.

On 01 November 1848 Judge [Jonathan Hammond] HASTINGS was married to [his 
first wife] Miss Ellen M., daughter of Hon. Samuel and Hannah (FRENCH) 
MERRIAM, of Johnson [Lamoille County, Vermont]. Six children have been born 
to them, of whom two only are now living: (1) Abbie M., [now] Mrs. J. C. 
JOSLYN [JOYSLIN?], of Minneapolis [Hennepin County], Minnesota; and (2) Lucy 
H. [who is] Mrs. John W. GREGORY, of Waitsfield. Judge [Jonathan Hammond] 
HASTINGS was again married, 29 September 1892, to [second wife] Orris, 
daughter of John C. and Charlotte (LOVELL) PADDOCK, of St. Johnsbury 
[Caledonia County, Vermont. Note the 1880 Vermont census enumeration of the 
family of Jonathan Hammond HASTINGS includes a CARPENTER, which suggests a 
connection between this family and that of Stephen Josiah HASTINGS; see also 
the Caledonia County, Vermont biography of Stephen Josiah HASTINGS.]

Submitted by Cathy Kubly