Harris Hamlin, father of Judge Butler Hamlin, was born in Connecticut in 1767 and married Rue Easton in 1787. In 1801, he made the huge decision to move the whole family—which eventually included nine children—to the wilds of Wayne County, PA. At that time, the county was an untamed frontier. 

Wayne County had only recently been separated from Northampton, and the new county seat in Bethany was still being constructed. The Hamlins’ first home was a log cabin built a quarter-mile west of Salem Corners (later Hamlinton and currently Hamlin in Salem Township). Eight years later, they built the first framed house in the township. Like many early settlers, Harris Hamlin was a farmer with a trade: brick-making. 

His wife, Rue, died in 1833 and Harris died in 1854, more than 50 years after their move from Connecticut. Their youngest son, Butler Hamlin, was elected an associate judge of the county more than once and was a popular store owner postmaster in the years between his judicial stints.

From the files of the Wayne County Historical Society located at 810 Main St. in Honesdale, PA. The museum and library are open by appointment only from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For information, call 570/253-3240 or visit www.WayneHistoryPA.org.