Hawley mayor presents original 1884 minutes book, assumed to have been lost in fire
History came full circle in Hawley on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, when Mayor John Nichols surprised borough council with the original, official minutes book from when the borough was formed in January 1884, 140 years ago. These precious records were assumed to be gone forever, since Hawley lost its previous borough hall in an inferno in 1952.
The council, naturally, was concentrating on the present and looking forward in its governing duties, when suddenly members were reminded of their inherited responsibility from whence they came, their elected body serving today having roots very deep in this small but vibrant historic Wayne County community.
The hardcover journal, 14 by 8.5 inches and filling 357 pages, covers the founding of the borough from its separation from Palmyra Township in January 1884, through July 1897. It is entirely in script, save for clippings from the Hawley Times of published ordinances, pasted by the secretary with the entries.
Nichols is an avid historian and has a popular, private Facebook group, "You Know You Are from Hawley...," where fans of the area post vintage photos and record personal memories of Hawley back in the day.
Recently, he was presented with the minutes book by the family of the late Ann Morgan, who died in 2022. Morgan served as a Hawley councilor for seven years. In 1981 she was elected mayor, a post she held 28 years, the most ever. She was the first woman to serve in these capacities in Hawley. The book was discovered after her passing.
From 2022: Tributes recall long-time Hawley mayor, nurse Ann Morgan
Nichols said that after receiving the book, he purchased a scanner and made digital scans of its pages for preservation and research.
"I have come across something that obviously belongs to the borough... It is the minutes of the very first council meeting," Nichols said.
He told the council he wished to allow the Wayne County historian (the author of this report) to examine the book, after which Nichols would hand it over to the borough. "My fear is that it will be put in a closet and—" Nichols said.
Council Vice President Elaine Herzog interjected, suggested that since Nichols has made a digital version, once the historian reviews the book, the council would donate the book to the Wayne County Historical Society to properly preserve it at their museum in Honesdale. Herzog, who is a Society trustee, said she could arrange to have Nichols make a presentation at a trustees' meeting.
Councilor Michele Rojas asked if he would supply copies of the scans, to which the mayor readily agreed. Council President Ann Monaghan offered to supply flash drives to Nichols for this purpose. Various borough officials looked at the minutes afterwards, records of their predecessors.
Monaghan called this "awesome" and thanked the mayor for his efforts.
Hawley as a community dates from circa 1790s when mills were established at Paupack Falls. Called Paupack Eddy and eventually named Hawley, the official founding is considered by some as 1827 when the first store was opened. The 200th anniversary is three years away, and Nichols has recommended early planning for an appropriate commemoration.
More: Mayor Nichols calls for planning, funding for Hawley bicentennial in 2027
The Wayne County Court authorized formation of the borough Jan. 23, 1884. As the minutes state, the first election was held Feb. 19, 1884, at the home of Julius Scott. The Honorable James Millham was elected burgess (mayor). Elected to the council were George Schlager, Arthur Kimble, Fred Meisinger, H.P. Woodward, Thomas Mangan and Morveldum Plum.
Edward Watson was named constable; Charles Pierson, judge of elections; John Glass and G.W. Ames, inspectors; Ephraim Killam, justice of the peace; Elijah Pellon, constable; John S. Atkinson, assessor; school directors John Weinss, S.R. Evans, Isador Kushner, James H. Murphy, Jospeh Atkinson, John E, Mandeville; auditors George W.B. Allen, William D. Curtis, Royal Taft; overseers of poor, John Weinss and Thomas V. Taft.
The first council meeting was on Feb. 26, 1884, at the Keystone Hotel, owned by Julius Scott (present site of the Odd Fellows Hall, 206 Main Ave.). Woodward was chosen as their first secretary.
Ordinance number one, adopted March 17, 1884, prohibited residents from allowing their horses and livestock to roam at large. The constable had charge of impounding said animals, retrievable by paying a $1 fine for “horses, neat cattle, or swine,” or 20 cents per "sheep, geese or other mischievous animals" plus costs. If the owner was not known, the animals would be sold.
A question remains: Are there other Hawley borough minutes books awaiting discovery, from August 1897 through the time of the borough hall fire of Oct. 18, 1952?
Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588.
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Mayor Nichols presents long-missing 1884 minutes to Hawley council
