Harvey Hatch
Watchmaker
Harvey Hatch’s life brought him across the United States and illustrates the tight bonds of the 19th century Deaf Community. Born on March 20, 1808, Hatch grew up in Washington, CT. He enrolled at the American School for the Deaf in 1826 and his registration attributed his deafness to, “when 1 year old by ulceration of the ears, hears partially.” He remained at the school until May 1830, only to re-enroll in December, and finally graduated in May 1831.
Hatch joined a group of compatriots seeking their fortunes out west. Amongst this group was a former classmate, Rebecca Bartlett, and the two married on April 8, 1847 in Knox, Illinois. The family moved around Illinois and finally settled in Galesburg, where he worked as a watchmaker and clock repairman. This highly complex occupation was not taught in the early years at ASD, so it is a unique career for Hatch.
After Rebecca passed away, Harvey remarried another member of the deaf community, Mary Holt. Mary attended the New York School for the Deaf and lived in Ontario, IL with her husband, Henry Hobbs. It is unclear when Henry died or the two met one another, but Mary and Harvey were married in October 1867.
In a remarkable twist, Sarah “Sallie” Whitcomb, James Hosley Whitcomb’s widow, lived with the Hatch family in 1870. Both Mary and Sallie attended the New York School for the Deaf. It is very likely that their bond as alumni and members of the, Deaf Community that facilitated Sallie’s move from New York to Illinois. At the very least it is a powerful example of their friendship’s longevity decades after graduating from school.Credits and Sources:
Photo courtesy of:
Heather Robertson, Family photo.
