Florence Rodd, daughter of Lee and Ester Hunter Chamness, died December 17, 1996, at her residence in Marion. Mrs. Rodd and her husband, Charles Rodd, had maintained the Allen Hunter Cemetery for several years after the death of Belva Hunter Hall. Charles and Florence Rodd were instrumental in the establishment of the Jacob Hunter Trust. Mrs. Rodd was a niece of Belva Hunter Hall, great granddaughter of Reverend Allen Hunter, for whom the Allen Hunter Cemetery is named, and a great-great-great granddaughter of Jacob Hunter, namesake of the this Trust. The Jacob Hunter Cemetery, also under the care of this Trust, is named after Jacob (#2). Jacob (#2) and the Reverend Allen Hunter were brothers and grandsons of Jacob Hunter (#l). Mrs. Rodd is survived by her husband Charles, five children, two grandchildren, three brothers, and one sister.

Robert P. Cowsert, 1969 Wexford Circle, Wheaton, IL 60187 informed the Trust of his Hunter ancestry. Robert is a great great grandson of Jacob and Mary Moore Duncan Hunter. His great grandfather was James Monroe Hunter (b. 7/16/1851 d. 6/24/1930) and his grandmother was Eva Leona Hunter Roberts. Those interested in information about Jacob Hunter's line running through his son James Monroe Hunter may contact Mr. Cowsert in Wheaton.

There are at least a few of you noble Hunter descendants who are active, or at least partially active, in researching our family history. The Trust would like to maintain and publish your names so others who have information about a particular line can contact you and you will know the areas presently being researched. Judge Robert Hunter suggests that we consider establishing a librarian and curator to begin the process of assembling various components of this information so it can be preserved, cataloged, and available. Judge Hunter's father's papers are now on deposit at the Marion Carnegie Library. Clyde H. Hunter of Quincy devoted over 50 years and thousands of dollars in quest of family historical data. Much of what we know today about the descendants of Jacob Hunter in America we owe to the meticulous research efforts of Clyde H. Hunter. His family remain strong supporters of this work through support of the Jacob Hunter Trust. If you are involved in further research, please notify the Trust of your interest and we will publish the information so others may contact you.

The Jacob Hunter Trust Cemetery Fund continued to grow during 1996. We contracted with a professional lawn maintenance firm and the cemeteries were well cared for throughout the year. Our checking account was switched to an account that earns interest since the volume of checks written each month is small. Our Federal Treasury Note continues to provide good earnings. We have a necessary expenditure that has been delayed for the past couple of years allowing our fund balance to grow. Several head stones at the Jacob Hunter Cemetery need to be repaired or replaced. Some are broken and others can barely be read. Our intention is to place a small head stone at the base of the original for the graves we can still identify.

In preparation for 911 capability, Williamson County recently changed all its rural addresses. The Jacob Hunter Trust has a new address:

Jacob Hunter Trust

10202 Briggs Road

Marion, IL 62959

Phone and fax numbers remain the same:

Phone: 618/985-2814

Fax: 618/985-2933

Please keep us informed of your address changes. If you are not interested in receiving this Newsletter, please write or call and we will remove your name from our mailings. If you would like to contribute to the Newsletter, your submissions would be welcome.

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