William Hathorne (c. 1606 – 1681) was a New England politician, judge and merchant who was Commissioner for Massachusetts Bay and Speaker of the General Court.
He arrived in America on the ship Arbella,[2][3] and is the first American ancestor of author Nathaniel Hawthorne (who added the "w" to the spelling of his last name).
Hathorne served as a magistrate on the highest court, and received a grant of 640 acres for service to the state.
He was appointed as captain of the Salem military company on May 1, 1646, and led troops to victory in King Philip's War.
His classic novels The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables, and the short story "Young Goodman Brown" reflect his studies.