In 1882 Mr. Lyman W. Densmore called together the Hartwells of the Boston area, with other branches from Virginia and Indiana, to form the Hartwell Family Association. Meetings were held, usually in Concord, for around twenty years, and were well attended. The support of this organization enabled Mr. Densmore to publish his two books, The Handbook of Hartwell Genealogy in 1887, and The Hartwell Family in 1895. It is unclear why the organization was discontinued. Mr. Densmore was the moving spirit and it is possible his health was beginning to fail. He died in 1898.
In 1937, Claude S. Hartwell, a young lawyer from Boston, called together all the Hartwells within 50 miles of Boston. About 50 responded, and an organization was effected called the Hartwells of America. A genealogical committee was appointed, dues were set, and the annual meeting was fixed for the last Saturday in June. Meetings have been held every year since then, with the exception of one year during World War Two.
The only records we have of the pre-1937 Hartwell Reunions are shown below. What a crowd in 1884! Are there any other surviving newsletters or photos from this period?
In 1937, Claude S. Hartwell, a young lawyer from Boston, called together all the Hartwells within 50 miles of Boston. About 50 responded, and an organization was effected called the Hartwells of America. A genealogical committee was appointed, dues were set, and the annual meeting was fixed for the last Saturday in June. Meetings have been held every year since then, with the exception of one year during World War Two.
The only records we have of the pre-1937 Hartwell Reunions are shown below. What a crowd in 1884! Are there any other surviving newsletters or photos from this period?
Click on any image to see more
Our Earliest Newsletter - August 27, 1891, Concord MA
Our Earliest Newsletter - August 27, 1891, Concord MA
Early Reunion Photographs
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1884
Cattle Show Grounds, Concord, MA 
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190?
Cattle Show Grounds, Concord, MA 
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190?
Cattle Show Grounds, Concord, MA 
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Designed by Stephen Hartwell - contact at shartwell5@verizon.net with suggestions or to contribute additional material.
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