Hemenway & The Hathaway

photograph of Augustus Hemenway

Augustus Hemenway, 19191

Augustus Hemenway was born in 1853 and died in 1931: born in Boston and died at his home in Readville4. Hemenway shared the name with his father and son, all of whom were successful Boston business men. According to Hemenway's obituary, his father was a successful merchant and he himself held many esteemed positions within the city. Hemenway and his family acquired the Hathaway Building on Atlantic Ave. in 1912 and leased the property to a number of different businesses, gaining himself a profit. In 1915, part of the building was leased to the Timson Bros, a shoe jobber (manufacturer) and The Gramm Motor Truck Company occupied the building in 1911. This property was especially lucrative for Hemenway and helped build his reputation in the city.

Leasing the Property: Gramm Motor Trucks

Newspaper advertisement for "The Gramm" truck by The Gramm Motor Car Company.
Newspaper advertisement for Gramm Trucks.

The ads above and to the left advertise the Gramm Motor Truck company that operated from the Hathaway building in 1911, just before Hemenway's purchase of the building and possibly during the time of his ownership5,6. The Hathaway Building was leased to the J. Freidson Shoe according to an article published in 1936, after Hemenway's death. The article states that the building was under the power of the trustees appointed by Augustus Hemenway's will8. 

1920 Census page showing Hemenway family

1920 U.S. Census Record9

Above is a capture from the 1920 U.S. census records that includes Augustus Hemenway and his family. We can see Augustus as head of the household, living with his wife, daughter, and son Augustus Jr. who was 37 at the time. There are also six white, female servants listed under their household, but little information is available pertaining to their lives/roles in the family. 

Hemenway's Legacy in Boston and Beyond

photograph of Hemenway Gymnasium at Harvard University

Hemenway Gymnasium, 2021 3

According to Hemenway's obituary, he was a member of Legislature for many years, a member of the Metropolitan Parks Commission, a trustee of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, treasurer of the Boston Ear and Eye Infirmary, and an overseer at Harvard University4. Holding all these positions along with multiple lucrative properties made Hemenway successful and acclaimed. He also donated a public library to the town of Canton and the Hemenway Gymnasium to Harvard which is still used on the college campus.7,3 

Newspaper article announcing a new public library building, which was a gift from Augustus Hemenway to the Town of Canton, Mass.

Canton Public Library, 1901 7

Literature Cited

Commonwealth, https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/1v53kh87k (accessed May 06, 2021).

Augustus Hemenway (1853-1931), Mass., ca. 1895." Photograph. 1895. Digital Commonwealth, https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/3r077d874 (accessed May 07, 2021).

https://recreation.gocrimson.com/sports/2020/5/5/recreation-facilities-Hemenway.aspx.

Globe. May 26, 1931, ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Boston Globe edition.

Globe. June 11, 1911, ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Boston Globe edition.

Globe. June 11, 1911, ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Boston Globe edition.

FOR CANTON: GIFT OF AUGUSTUS.” Daily Boston Globe. November 12, 1901, ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Boston Globe edition.

Daily Boston Globe. December 1, 1936, ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Boston Globe edition.

Massachusetts; Roll: T625_742; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 231