Nathaniel Hartshorne: Writer, Editor, Actor, Husband and Father

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Nat Hartshorne, with daughter and my older sister Anne Allen.

Nathaniel Hartshorne

September 18, 1926 –March 28, 2018

Nathaniel Hartshorne, a longtime resident of Blawenburg, died peacefully in his home on March 28, following a brief illness.  Nat was born on September 18,1926 in New York City to Robert and Esther Hartshorne. He attended St. Paul’s school and Hamilton college and spent 2 years in the U.S. Navy, serving as the quartermaster on a ship in the Philippines. 

On March 7, 1953, Nat married Valerie Thomas, also of Locust, N.J.

Nat and Valerie moved from Brooklyn, N.Y. to Blawenburg in1960 and from that time to the present have lived in their beloved home, the old tavern building, in the heart of Blawenburg.

There they raised four children, hosted weddings, and entertained a constant flow of friends and family.

Nat was truly a man for all seasons. He spent most of his career as an editor and freelance magazine and newspaper writer.  His articles and stories have appeared in Harpers, The New York Times, Family Circle, The Ladies’ Home Journal, and American Heritage magazine.  Nat worked for 25 years as a Senior Editor at ETS and as a Managing Editor at the Princeton Theological Seminary.

Nat was also a stage actor.  His lifelong love of the theatre began in childhood.  He spoke with great pride of joining his mother and older brother in musical productions in their home.  In his adult years, Nat went on to perform in countless summer stock and regional productions. 

A National Treasure, a play Nat wrote with Charles Leeder, was produced at the Mill Hill Playhouse in Trenton in 1988.  In March 2018, Nat produced Keeping in Touch, a collection of his personal letters to his friends and his family, which were known for their wit and their warmth.

Beyond his many accomplishments over 91 years, Nat will be most remembered by those who knew him for his interest in other people.  Speaking with Nat you always knew he gave you his undivided and non-judgmental attention. “How are you doing?,” and “Tell me about…..,” always preceded any discussion of his own interests and activities.

Nat had a lifelong love of music, from Count Basie to attending the symphony in Princeton. Many hours as he worked in his office he enjoyed his library of jazz and passed along a love of the music to his children.

Chopping wood, mowing the lawn, writing for hours in his study and, above all, making a home for his family, Nat is remembered with great love by the many people whom he touched in this world.  Nat was the master of the comfortable routine, he cherished ritual and the cozy home he and Val created.

Nat is survived by his wife, Valerie, his four children, Anne, Jennifer, Max and Caroline, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A private memorial service will be held in July.