Hattie Hatchet was born in Raleigh in 1864. Her parents, William and Mary Rhue, were escaped slaves from Virginia who settled in the Elgin Settlement in Ontario after being run out of a Michigan City where they had settled after their escape. As a child, Hattie attended the Elgin Settlement School and took piano lessons from Jemima King, the wife of Reverend William King.

Hattie became a teacher and taught in Chatham Township before going to the south. In Kentucky Hattie taught former slaves and their children. There she met her husband, Millard Hatchett. Shortly after their marriage they returned to Buxton, where they both became involved in the musical life of the community.

Hattie was a talented pianist and composer. She directed the Baptist Church choir and was Church organist for several decades. Hattie was one of the first in Kent County to receive a certificate in music, but she was not able to put it to use in the local schools. They were not yet ready to employ music teachers. Instead, she used her talents to work with the young people in the village.

As a composer, Hattie Hatchett is best known for her religious songs. She wrote both the words and the music. Some of her compositions are: "Jesus Tender Shepherd Lead Us" and "The Land Beyond the Sky". One of her songs, "That Sacred Spot", was adopted as the official marching song of the Canadian troops during World War 1.

Biographical notes kindly provided by the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum, North Buxton, Ontario, Canada.

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