Jonathan Hagar (1779-1855) was one of 8 boys and 2 girls born in Waltham, Mass., to Rev. Benjamin and Esther Hagar. In 1799 he worked as a cobbler in Weybridge, Vt., made shoes and tanned hides which he sold to Troy, N.Y. He ran a tanning shop in New York City in 1800, came back to Weybridge, and went to Montreal in 1802. With his brother Benjamin, he sold shoes and imported items from the U.S., and starting in 1905, England. Eventually he invested in ships and shipbuilding. He returned to the states at the outbreak of the war of 1812. In Middlebury he became a general merchant and then bookseller. In 1815 he became active in local government when he was elected tythingman. Between then and 1830, he served as surveyor of roads, selectman, town treasurer, and Middlebury representative to the General Assembly. He was involved in the industrial development of Middlebury, but largely as an investor. In 1851 he became treasurer of the Middlebury Savings Bank. He married Marrus Louisa Trudeau in 1808, with whom he had at least three children, daughters.
From the description of Hagar family papers, 1799-1854. (Sheldon Museum Research Center). WorldCat record id: 637032233
