HUNTER

By Myrta J. Hutson, 1871-1965

Charleston, South Carolina

 

 

 

Jacob Hunter was one of a group of South Carolinians who, in 1801, emigrated to the state of Tennessee. A descendant of Jacob Hunter now wishes to obtain data concerning his family and background.

 

In. South Carolina Historical and genealogical Magazine, Vol. 3, page 127, we find an early item concerning our subject, viz.; he is registered in Capt Andrew Cummings’' Company of Volunteers, Saltcatchers and Edisto District, on 9 October, 1775. We may consider him to be at least fifteen years of age.

 

Another item of interest, found in the S. C. Archives De­partment in Columbia, is to the effect that Jacob Hunter, in 1784, had a plat of land surveyed for him in Orangeburg District on Savannah Creek (later "Savaney Hunt"), waters of Congaree River.             This was situated in what later became Lexington County, and is today, in the present Calhoun County.              Jacob Hunter had to be at least twenty-one years of age in order to obtain a grant of land, therefore, born in 1763 or earlier.

 

The descendant names the children of Jacob as follows: Manuel, born.1787, in South Carolina, Elizabeth, Isaac, Matthew, Allen and Stephen. [E. H. Note – the last two are incorrect; Allen was a brother of Jacob, and Stephen was Stephen Lee, Jacob’s widow’s son.  Also leaves out Sally Hunter Durard]

 

In an effort to find Jacob, the several counties of South Carolina were searched. Henry Hunter was mentioned in the his­tory of Fairfield County, which, with Richland, Kershaw, York and Chester, formed a political District. Henry Hunter lived in Camden and was on the Grand Jury in 1772. He served in the Revolutionary War, as shown by several Indents for Revolutionary Pay, and capitulated with the Militia at Charleston in 1780. His will, made in 1783, leaves property to sons, Henry and Henry Starke Hunter.            

 

Henry Starke Hunter married Elizabeth, daughter of Burwell Boykin.    Their son, Thomas; died 22 June, 1815.

 

The following is a list of Hunter wills, and the counties in which they are filed.  Copies of these may be obtained by writing to the S. C. Archives Department, Columbia, S. C., which will quote a price for each will.

 

Abbeville County: Alexander (1815 - 1839); Elizabeth (1839 - 1855); John (1839 - 1855); William (1815 - 1839).

 

Anderson County: Mary, Sr., and Thomas, both filed between 1800 and 1834.

 

Chester County:   James (1810 - 1815); John (1820 - 1825).

 

Darlington County: Andrew, Sr. (1812 - 1817); Andrew (1830 - 1837).

 

Laurens County:  Andrew Hunter - will dated 24 August, 1795, names brother, Robert; sisters, Elizabeth and Jane. John Hunter - will dated 2 June 1818, names, sons, William, John, Samuel, James and his son, John B., a minister. Laughlin (1802 - 1809); Matthew, Sr., names wife, Elizabeth; sons, Matthew, Andrew; daugh­ters, Margaret, Nancy, Betty, Joan, Sarah. Will dated 12 July, 1815.                Other Laurens wills: Robert - William.

 

Newberry County:  Joseph, Nathan, Sr., and William.

 

There are five Hunter wills filed is Charleston County, only two of them early enough to be considered here:

 

William Hunter - will dated 1 Jan., 1765, proved Aug. 5, 1765, names wife, Ann, sons, Norsworthy, and John also an unborn child. (Book 10, page 738.)

 

James Hunter - will dated July 18, 1771, proved Dec. 24, 1773, names daughter, Frances; daughter-in-law, Mary Ann Dodd, daughter, Helen, son, James, son, John (d.y.).

 

Many Hunter names appear in the Charleston Mesne Conveyance Office, but no Jacob Hunter. The ones that do appear are in connection with the sale or purchase of land.

 

It is impossible to give details of such transactions in a research of this kind, so only the names involved will be listed, viz.: Andrew; Daniel (12 transactions); David; George (8 transactions); Helen, James, John, Mary, Thomas, and William Hunter of North Carolina.

 

This last Indenture is found In Book W. W., pp. 250 – 255:  Abraham Odam and wife to William Hunter, dated 6 March, 1760, states that Abraham Odom and wife, Libby, of Craven County in consideration of the sum of 565 pounds do sell two planta­tions - - - on south side of Wateree River, to William Hunter, of Northampton County, Province of North Carolina.

 

The Miscellaneous Court Records yielded four names; Andrew (1767 - 1769); George (1735 - 1740); William (1754 - 1758); and the most surprising of the list: Jacob Bradbury Hunter.                (Book 83 B (1751 - 1755), page 624. “Know all men by these presents, that I, Jacob Bradbury Hunter, of Craven County, Province of South Carolina” -- - - for 100 pounds paid by Wm. Mitchism  --- have bargained and sold - - - one Brown Cow - - - calf - - cow ---and yearling - Black Mare -- - colt - - - to have & to hold, &&,- -.

 

The fact that above Jacob lived in Craven county does not help us, for that County covered unlimited territory at that time.

 

The North Carolina Colonial and State Records give many, references to Jacob Hunter, but the dates conflict with the few dates we have for South Carolina Jacob.  The North Carolina Historical & Genealogical Magazine gives important facts concerning the Hunter name in general.

 

Probably the most important possibility in this search is embodied in the will of Elisha Hunter, dated 1752. Among others, he names a son Isaac, who is given land and household furniture, which suggests he is approaching the age for marriage, if not already married.  No Hunter grand children in the name are mentioned, except children of daughters. His son, Jacob, inherits the rights of the Water Mill.  Elisha names a daughter, Elizabeth.

 

In the family of S. C. Jacob Hunter we find a Jacob, an Isaac and an Elizabeth.

 

In the family of Manuel (son of Jacob, S. C.), we find a Jacob, an. Isaac and an Elizabeth.

 

Such a continuity of names cannot be accidental. When three generations repeat certain names, there must be a decided family connection not apparent at this moment, perhaps, but very suggestive. The North Carolina Historical & Genealogical Magazine states that Isaac Hunter was the son of Nicholas and grandson of William Hunter of Virginia. In the will of Elisha Hunter, he refers twice to current money of Virginia.

 

The question is - was Elisha a son of Isaac?