The Jacob Hunter Trust Newsletter

Volume 11, No. 1 Richard H. Hunter, Editor January 2002

Braxton Lee & Jacob Hunter-1 Burial Site,

Lee Homestead Cemetery, Ashland City, TN

In August, 2001 Lettie Hunter of Carterville corresponded with Mrs. Josephine McMahan, a volunteer at the Cheatham County Historical & Genealogical Association, 233 N. Vine Street, Ashland City, TN 37015. Mrs. McMahan sent a record she found of the old Lee Cemetery in Ashland City. The record was copied by Edna Hunter (wife of H.D. Hunter) and later published in The Historical Records Survey, June 27, 1939, Division of Women’s and Professional Projects. The record copied by Edna Hunter has been retyped below.

Cheatham County

Tombstone—Inscriptions

Lee Cemetery

These records came from a small graveyard in the back yard of J.D. Binkley, Ashland City, Tennessee. The stones were all covered but the information was given by Mr. Binkley.

The Lee’s came from Virginia to Tennessee about 1796 and was of English ancestry. There were Lawyers and County Officials in the Lee Family in Ashland City for about a period of twenty five years. There were eight unmarked graves.

Copied by Edna Hunter, Ashland City, Tennessee

October 1, 1937

Baxton Lee Annie Lee

Born 1763 [1766]* Born 1759 [1768]*

Died 1811 [1841]* Died 1807

*Bracketed information added by RHH to correct dates

Mrs. McMahan wrote to Lettie, “This cemetery was destroyed when Hibiscus Drive and its houses were built. What a shame. Braxton Lee was one of our earliest settlers as well as politician. The rock markers were pushed off in a deep gully. Hibiscus is on a hill overlooking Marrowbone Creek (now part of Cheatham Lake).”

What Mrs. McMahan told Lettie about the cemetery was what I (Richard Hunter) was told by Mr. James B. (Bud) Hallums of Ashland City in June 1999. Mr. Hallums reported that he remembered seeing the stones as a young boy, but when the road was built the headstones were pushed into the road bed and covered over. Mr. Hallums indicated there were several graves, but he only remembered seeing two headstones. The address of the present home where the old Lee Cemetery was located is 104 Hibiscus Street, Ashland City, TN. According to Mr. Hallums, the old Lee Cemetery was between the house and Hibiscus Street, which would be the front yard of the house.

This property is now being purchased by Bradley D. Ferrell, from his grandmother Elizabeth Ferrell. In October 2001, I (RHH) had the opportunity to visit with Bradley Ferrell and his wife and inform them of the burials in their yard.

WILLIAM HUNTER NORMAN 1918 –

By Michael M. Norman

William Hunter Norman was born on Sept. 12, 1918, at the family home located on West Cherry Street in Marion, IL. He was the second of three children born to William Edgar Norman and Lucille Armeta Hunter. His older sister was named Wilma Louise Norman (Mitschele) and his younger sister was Edna Lucille Norman (Garrison, Hemphill).

 “Bill,” which was what he was called by most everyone, except his mother (he was always “William” to her), grew up in Marion and attended schools there graduating from high school in 1936.

PHOTO 1940

Dad’s mother, Lucy Hunter Norman (b. 11/26/1886, d. 12/28/1969), came from a large family. Her father, George Washington Hunter (b. 11/12/1846, d. 1/2/1937 --son of Jacob-2, & grandson of Manuel), and mother, Laura Jane Nase (b. 1851, d. 12/5/1941), owned a farm outside of Marion city limits and Dad said that it was always a treat for him to visit that farm. He told of the time when, as a young boy, he and his family drove to the farm where his grandparents’ prized rooster started after him, as it usually did because for some reason the bird didn’t “like” him. Spotting a tin can lying nearby, Dad stepped on it, flattening the can, which he then picked up and hurled towards the antagonistic rooster. The rapidly spinning flattened tin can sailed across the yard and found its mark. The can struck the rooster and decapitated it right there in front of everyone. His elation over this once-in-million accurate toss was short-lived, however. His grandmother severely chastened him for killing her prized rooster and reminded him of his dastardly deed for years afterward.

After graduating from high school, Dad enrolled at Southern Illinois Normal University (now S.I.U.). While in college, Dad tried out for several athletic teams but never made the first string. Dad was a member of the graduating class of 1940.

In the fall of 1940, Dad made his way to California with a distant cousin by the name of Dick McNiel. Dick had traveled to Ohio to fly an airplane from the factory to its new owner near Tulare, CA. On the way, he stopped off in Marion and offered to take Dad along with him. The trip lasted three days. Once in California, Dad found employment hauling citrus from the groves to the packinghouses. At one of those packinghouses, he met his future wife, Mary Alice Mann, who was an employee there. They were married in April 1943.

Dad returned to Illinois in April 1941 and enlisted in the Army Air Corps. His Army career took him to several locations in the U.S. before his name appeared on an overseas manifest. He departed the States in the spring of 1945, aboard a troopship. He landed in the Philippines and was stationed at Clark Field, where he and his younger sister, Edna, had a brief reunion. Edna was working for the Red Cross. Dad’s next destination was Okinawa, where he experienced a serious typhoon, and was then sent to Japan for occupation duty shortly after the end of the war. While in Japan, Dad served as a First Sergeant to approximately 2500 soldiers in a Wing headquarters. He returned to the States in December 1945.

Dad secured employment driving a gasoline tanker for a few months before beginning a long career with Southern California Edison, a large electrical utility. In 1951, he was transferred to the San Bernardino Mountains where he spent the next 30 years. He retired from his job at Edison in 1980. His two sons, Mike and Steve, grew up in those mountains and graduated from high school there.

Finally tiring of cold winters, which included fog, snow and ice, Bill and Alice moved to Palm Desert, CA where they’ve resided since shortly after his retirement. Their home is located within the Palm Desert Country Club, and is situated on a golf course fairway.

Dad recalls his extended family members with fondness. He related that his Grandfather Hunter, and his uncles, Sam (b. 3/19/1888, d. 8/5/1958) and Lloyd (b. 5/10/1892, d. 12/7/1976) Hunter, were some of the very special people in his early life.

Thomas Edward & Hiroko Hunter

During 2001 the Trust gained the much-appreciated assistance from Thomas Hunter and his wife Hiroko. While conducting family research, Thomas learned of the Trust and called requesting information on the family. After visiting the cemeteries, Tom immediately volunteered to assist with maintenance and upkeep. On several occasions he assisted me (RHH) with cutting brush, removing fallen and dead trees and limbs, and general maintenance on both the Jacob Hunter and Allen Hunter cemeteries. Thomas was born July 12, 1944 in Carbondale. He met and married Hiroko Ishikawa during a tour of duty in the US Navy in Japan. They have no children. Tom is the son of Fred Lee Hunter (b. 2/18/1893, d. 2/15/1978) and Fred’s second wife Frone Glenn (b. 8/11/1908). He has four brothers and three sisters. Tom’s grandfather was Charles Henry Hunter (b. 7/1/1868, d. 12/8/1933) and his grandmother was Alice May Hagler (b. 6/18/1874, d. 2/2/1951). Charles Henry’s father was Civil War veteran James Luke Hunter (IL-128 Inf.) (b. 2/6/1839, d. 4/28/1909) and mother Susan Ann Mariah Boyd (2/6/1839, d. 3/20/1928). James Luke’s father was George Washington Hunter (son of Manuel, grandson of Jacob-1; b. 12/23/1811, d. 9/7/1878; this GWH is the uncle of the GWH mentioned in the William Hunter Norman article) and his mother was Lydia Spiller (b. 10/6/1819, d. 2/8/1876).

Thomas is an active family researcher and is presently reviewing Clyde Hunter’s papers maintained at the Marion Carnegie Library. Hiroko is an accomplished gardener and an excellent cook.

Income and Expenses for 2001

The Jacob Hunter Trust Account for 2001
DATE	ACTIVITY	DEBIT	CREDIT	BALANCE
01/01/01	Balance Forward			$ 9,783.47
01/04/01	Kopies & More (print Newsletter)	$ 72.00		$ 9,711.47
01/05/01	Richard H. Hunter		$ 100.00	$ 9,811.47
01/05/01	Postmaster (stamps for Newsletter)	$ 44.00		$ 9,767.47
01/07/01	Interest on checking account		$ 15.48	$ 9,782.95
01/09/01	Judith Ann Mathews		$ 100.00	$ 9,882.95
01/12/01	Fred Hunter		$ 250.00	$ 10,132.95
02/05/01	Virginia L. Lipp		$ 20.00	$ 10,152.95
02/05/01	Interest on checking account		$ 13.97	$ 10,166.92
03/05/01	Interest on checking account		$ 13.65	$ 10,180.57
04/05/01	Interest on checking account		$ 15.13	$ 10,195.70
04/24/01	Ella L. Abney		$ 100.00	$ 10,295.70
04/30/01	T-Bill interest		$ 293.75	$ 10,589.45
05/03/01	Neat Cut Lawn Care X 2	$ 140.00		$ 10,449.45
05/06/01	Interest on checking account		$ 15.31	$ 10,464.76
06/05/01	Neat Cut Lawn Care X 3	$ 210.00		$ 10,254.76
06/05/01	Interest on checking account		$ 15.07	$ 10,269.83
07/05/01	Interest on checking account		$ 14.79	$ 10,284.62
07/11/01	Neat Cut Lawn Care X 2	$ 140.00		$ 10,144.62
07/18/01	Williamson County Treasurer	$ 9.70		$ 10,134.92
08/04/01	Neat Cut Lawn Care X 2	$ 140.00		$ 9,994.92
08/05/01	Interest on checking account		$ 13.00	$ 10,007.92
07/31/01	Bank charge for checks	$ 17.75		$ 9,990.17
08/31/01	Neat Cut Lawn Care X 2	$ 140.00		$ 9,850.17
09/05/01	Interest on checking account		$ 12.75	$ 9,862.92
09/21/01	Thomas Edward Hunter		$ 20.00	$ 9,882.92
10/08/01	Interest on checking account		$ 10.82	$ 9,893.74
10/08/01	Robert Beltz (mow field at Allen H. Cem)	$ 40.00		$ 9,853.74
10/31/01	Neat Cut Lawn Care X 4	$ 280.00		$ 9,573.74
10/31/01	T-Bill interest		$ 293.75	$ 9,867.49
10/31/01	T-Bill refund		$ 3.90	$ 9,871.39
11/05/01	Interest on checking account		$ 7.62	$ 9,879.01
12/05/01	Interest on checking account		$ 6.30	$ 9,885.31
12/18/2001	Marilyn L. Fisher		$ 10.00	$ 9,895.31
TOTALS		$1,233.45	$1,345.29

Financial Status of Trust

As can be seen by the financial report, the Trust income for the year exceeded expenses by $ 111. 84. Without increased donations this will not happen in 2002 due to large reductions in anticipated interest income. In 2001 the Trust had interest income of $ 745.29 primarily due to our Federal T-Bill, which matured on 10/31/01 and paid 5 7/8%. Our T-Bill reinvested on 10/31 now yields 2.77%. This means that we will receive $ 312.50 LESS in 2002 than we received in 2001 on the T-Bill. Interest paid on our checking account balance has fallen dramatically as well.

The Trust has hired a new lawn maintenance firm. We will try to reduce mowing of the Jacob Hunter Cemetery to twice per month. The cemetery has lots of shade and grass does not grow as fast as in the Allen Hunter Cemetery. The schedule at the Allen Hunter Cemetery will remain at approximately every 10 days.

We need to replace the fence at the Allen Hunter Cemetery. Estimated costs of a new fence is between $4,000 and $5,000. Ideas for raising funds for a new fence would be appreciated.

Converting devalued stocks into Trust donations

Those of us who invested in the stock market may have seen substantial erosion of stock values during 2001 and 2002. Individuals who have considered donating money to the Trust might consider selling stocks that have decreased in value and donating the cash proceeds to the Trust. This method may allow you to claim tax benefits for both the capital loss and the charitable gift, effectively allowing you to deduct more than the current value of the securities. For those interested, please check with your accountant or tax lawyer to see if this approach will benefit you.

Gifts and Bequests to the Jacob Hunter Trust

By Judge Robert S. Hunter, Quincy, IL (1993)

Your gift or bequest can help to assure that the Jacob Hunter Cemetery and the Allen Hunter Cemetery can be restored and maintained for eternity. The easiest way to accomplish this is to make gifts from time to time. You can do so by making checks payable to “Jacob Hunter Trust” where funds will be strictly controlled and used only for purposes that are consistent with the trust objectives.

You can remember the trust in your will. A simple bequest, as follows will suffice: “I give and bequeath to the Jacob Hunter Trust, a trust created to preserve the burial grounds of descendants of Jacob Hunter in Williamson County, Illinois, the sum of $(amount).”

Another simple way to make a gift to the trust is known as the payable on death account (POD). You can open such an account at your bank or savings and loan. You open this kind of account by creating it in the name of “(Your name) Payable on Death to the Jacob Hunter Trust.” The Trustee is Richard H. Hunter, 10202 Briggs Road, Marion, IL 62959-5844.

There are numerous advantages to such an account: 1. you retain full control over it as long as you live, 2. you can increase or decrease the amount or close it out without notifying anyone, 3. you are entitled to the income therefrom as long as you live, 4. it is entirely confidential. The only difference between it and any other account you own is that, upon your death, the balance that is in the account is paid to the Jacob Hunter Trust.

By contributing to the Trust, you will be strengthening our efforts to preserve family cemeteries, compile further historical information, and share information with interested relatives and selected public libraries.

Family Bible of Jacob Hunter-2

Thomas Edward Hunter recently reviewed some of Clyde H. Hunter’s records on file at the Marion Carnegie Library and provided the Trust a copy of a page we believe Clyde typed from Jacob Hunter’s Bible. This information is re-typed just as it appears in Clyde Hunter’s papers.

BIBLE RECORD OF JACOB HUNTER (SON OF MANUEL)

In possession of Rheamon Hunter, Johnston City, ILL.

MARRIAGES:

Jacob Hunter married Mary M. (Moore) Dunkin December 19, 1833.

Jessey (Jesse) Weaver married Syntha (Cynthia) A. Hunter November 26, 1857.

Thomas R. Hunter married Susan Sanders March 25, 1858.

Susan Hunter married John R. Powell December 20, 1860.

James Monroe Hunter married Francis Marion Rhea March 21, 1875.

BIRTHS:

Jacob Hunter born January 18, 1809; Mary M. Hunter (Duncan), his wife, born May 1, 1814.

Thomas R. Hunter born October 19, 1834.

Sinthia (Cynthia) A. Hunter born October 22, 1837.

Susan E. Hunter born March 15, 1840.

Rachel M. Hunter born July 24, 1842.

Francis Marion Rhea (wife of Monroe Hunter) born July 22, 1854.

George W. Hunter born November 21, 1846.

Mary Jane Hunter born August 28, 1849.

James Monroe Hunter born July 16, 1851.

Lydia (Spiller) Dunkin (mother of Mary Moore Duncan) born May 6, 1771.

Lucina E. Hunter born March 30, 1853.

Sary (Sarah) J. Hunter born November 23, 1856.

John J. (Jacob) Hunter born March 25, 1859.

Dory (Dora) Gertrude Hunter born January 19, 1862.

DEATHS:

Susan E. Hunter died March 16, 1864.

John Duncan (father of Mary Moore Duncan) died December 31, 1834.

Lydia (Spiller) Duncan, (wife of John Duncan) died May 6, 1843.

Mary Jane Hunter died August 31, 1850. Age 1 yr., 3 days.

Jacob Hunter died December 21, 1874.

Thomas Riley Hunter died August 25, 1866.

Mary (Moore) Hunter died August 26, 1896. (Known as Aunt Pop)

Frances Marion Rhea (wife of James Monroe Hunter) died August 25, 1917.

Earl Weaver’s Family History

A very interesting book titled, Earl Leland Weaver’s Family History: His Research and His Memories, compiled and edited by Lois Weaver Kelly and updated by Zipra Hartwell Morgan was published in 2001. This history covers the surnames Weaver, Baker, Hunter, Lee, Duncan, Spiller, and Ferges. Earl Weaver (b. 2/29/1888, d. 1974) was born on the old Jacob Hunter homestead, the location of the Jacob Hunter Cemetery. Earl’s grandmother was Cynthia Ann Hunter, wife of Jesse Weaver and daughter of Jacob Hunter-2 and Mary Moore Duncan. Throughout his life, Earl valued family history and stories told to him by his elders. He kept notes and records and shared them with others interested in family history. Earl corresponded frequently with Clyde H. Hunter of Quincy, Lawrence and Lettie Hunter, and others in his extended family over the years. We owe a great debt to Earl for preserving a record of our early Illinois ancestors. He provided the most complete record we have found of people buried in the Jacob Hunter Cemetery. Our thanks also to Lois Weaver Kelly and Zipra Hartwell Morgan for their work in getting Earl’s notes and letters published.

The book is available for purchase from the Williamson County Historical Society, 105 S. Van Buren Street, Marion, IL 62959, phone 618/997-5863.

Ernest E. Hunt, IV Updates Hunter Genealogy Website

Ernest E. Hunt, IV continued to add a significant amount of Hunter family history to his website during 2001. He invites all interested in this research to visit the website at: http://www.mindspring.com/~eehiv/hunter/hunter.htm. The Trust is very appreciative of the work Mr. Hunt has done in researching Hunter family history and in making his work available through his website. He also maintains a website for the Jacob Hunter Trust Newsletter and has available on the web all previous issues of the Newsletter at

http://www.mindspring.com/~eehiv/JHTNewsletter/index.htm.

If you have additional information to share with Mr. Hunt, you may contact him by e-mail at: eehiv@mindspring.com, or by mail at 200 E. 66^th Street, # D 1502, New York, NY 10021-9190.

Do You Have Internet Access or E-Mail?

If you would prefer to receive the Newsletter by e-mail, please inform the Trust and provide your e-mail address. This will save printing and mailing expenses and make it easier for you to send the Newsletter to other members of your family.

The Jacob Hunter Trust

10202 Briggs Road

Marion, IL 62959-5844

Phone: 618/985-2814 Fax: 618/985/2933 e-mail: rhunter@midwest.net
Temporary Website: http:\\www.mindspring.com\~eehiv\JHTNewsletter\index.htm

Belva Hunter Hall’s efforts to raise funds for the Allen Hunter Cemetery

Charles and Faye Rodd graciously donated many of Belva Hunter Hall’s files to the Trust. Among these papers was a document titled, “Hunter Royalty Fund” Belva sent to heirs of the Reverend Allen Hunter posted November 11, 1956. She was distributing funds generated from coal royalties on the property of 7 ½ cents per ton. She was asking heirs to allow her to deduct $ 50.00 from the royalties to clean up the cemetery.

“Allen Hunter (my grandfather who owned the land which is being mined) left eleven heirs who each should have received 1/11 of whatever belonged to their father. His eleven children are all dead but their children and grandchildren are the ones to whom these checks are made out. The $ 50 deduction is to clean up the cemetery in which the former owner, Allen Hunter, lies buried; yet there were actually some persons who failed to return the questionnaire and others who vetoed the idea of cleaning off the grave of Allen Hunter and those of his family who lie buried there. But to clarify the FACTS I ask that you each figure out how such a thing could actually happen. Do you believe that any son or daughter, grandson or granddaughter of Allen Hunter could, without pressure from some source, refuse to allow that $ 50 from the first check to be used to clean off Allen Hunter’s grave and the graves of his relatives lying there beside him? I could say what I think but I shall just think and let you do the same. The fencing idea lost out for lack of a majority vote, but a majority finally agreed to allow $ 50 for the cleanup of the cemetery. Now I find it is hard to get anyone who will even tackle the job for that amount.”

Belva Hunter Hall, November 11, 1956. Thank you Belva, for your dedication and concern.

Phone: 618/985-2814 Fax: 618/985/2933 e-mail: rhunter@midwest.net
Temporary Website: http:\\www.mindspring.com\~eehiv\JHTNewsletter\index.htm