EARLY TOWN RESIDENT WILL GET GRAVESTONE
(written by Hugh R. McCartney and provided by Robert Hatch)

Jonathan Hatch was one of the first inhabitants of the town of Falmouth more that 300 years ago. His remains lie with others among early residents of the town in the Old Burying Ground off Mill Road. For some reason, Mr. Hatch's grave, if ever properly marked, has no headstone now. On May 25 this oversight will be corrected. Falmouth selectmen made it official with a vote at their town hall meeting on Monday. Selectmen received a letter from the Falmouth Historical Society above the signature of program chairman George W. Wood. "The Falmouth Historical Society hereby requests permission from the appropriate town authorities," Mr. Wood opened his letter to selectment, "for the erection of a headstone marking the grave of Jonathan Hatch in the town-owned buying ground off Mill Road. "Jonathan Hatch is reputed to be the first inhabitant of the town of Falmouth, and although his grave has been located in the Old Burying Ground, it has not been properly marked," Mr. Wood said. He explained to selectmen the way in which this issue surfaced. "A descendant of Hatch, Mr. Robert Hatch, of St. Joseph, Michigan," visited Falmouth, toured the town's historic sites including the Old Burying Ground and, Mr. Wood said, "noted this omission." Mr. Wood told selectmen that upon returning to Michigan, Mr. Hatch wrote a letter to the historical society, "offering to pay for the erection of a headstone in the style and material similar to other headstones of the era, provided the necessary persmision can be obtained. Mr. Wood said the historical society's board of directors "considered the matter and supports Mr. Hatch's request". "Indeed, if arrangements can be completed, the Society would like to organize a brief unveiling ceremony on, perhaps, May 25, that might include comments by a minister, a spokesman for the town, an historian and Mr. Robert Hatch," Mr. Wood said.