Land Records
Land records of William Hunter of Nansemond Co., Va., and one line of his descendants: William’s son Isaac Hunter, Isaac’s son Isaac Hunter, Isaac’s son Solomon Alston Hunter, Solomon’s son James A. Hunter, and James’s son Silvanus Gardner Hunter.
William Hunter of Nansemond Co., Va.
William Hunter was among seven persons Charles Rountree transported to “up. Par. Of Nanzamund . . . by the Scypress Sw.” Rountree’s patent dated 4 November 1685 lists “Willm. Hunter, Nichol. Hunter, Joane Hunter, Rebecka Hunter, Charles Rountree, Robert Rountree, John Sayer (Virginia Patent Book, Vol. 7, p. 487).
“On 21 April 1695 William Hunter was “granted 200 acres on the eastward side of the main cypress swamp that runs out of Bennetts Creek” for the transportation of four Negro slaves into the colony (Virginia Patent Book, Vol. 8, p. 432):
To all & whereas & Now know ye that I the said Sr. Edmond Andros Knt. Governor does with advice and consent of the counsil of state accordingly give and grant unto William Hunter of Nansemond County weaver two hundred acres of land situate lying and being on the Eastward side of the maine Cyprus Swamp that turns out of Bennetts Creek in the Upper Parish of Nansemond County beginning at a marked pine on the southward side of a branch called the furthest branch of oysterlong Neck and runs thence southwesterly five degrees one hundred eighty poles to a marked red oake thence south easterly twenty[?] degrees three hundred forty eight poles to a marked chincopin oake in a brnch then along the northward side of aforesaid branch to the maine cyprus Swamp, thence along the maine cyprus swamp its several courses and bounding thereon to the aforesaid furthest branch of Oysterlong Neck thence up the branch & bounding thereon to the first Station, the said two hundred acres of land being due unto the said William Hunter by and for the Importation of four persons into this colony all whose names are to be in [illegible] mentioned under this patent to have and to hold & to hold & yielding & paying & provided & dated the 21st day of Aprill anno dom 1695.
E. Andros
Alla, Harry, Shor[illegible], Rod [slaves]
William was granted additional land: “William Hunter is granted 240 acres adjoining his tract in Upper Parish on southeastern side of Meherrin Swamp.” The record is dated 25 April 1702. To this land “beginning at a white oak standing on a small branch or corner tree of a patent formerly granted to ye sd. Hunter” he transported five persons: himself, his wife, his daughter Alice, his son Nicholas, and Mary Cohon (Virginia Patent book, Vol. 9, pp. 309-310):
To all &c. whereas &c. now know ye that I ye sd. Ffrancis Nicholson Esq. Governor per do with ye advice & consent of ye council of state accordingly give and grant unto William Hunter two hundred and forty acres of land situate lying & being in ye Upper Parish of Nansemond county on ye south eastern side of ye Meherring swamp beginning at a white oake standing on a small branch or corner tree of a patent formerly granted ye sd. Hunter [200 acres on the eastward side of the main cypress swamp that runs out of Bennett’s Creek, 21 April 1695] & running thence south easterly twenty-seven degrees forty-four poles to a white oake thence south easterly sixty-two degrees forty-four poles to a Bosch thence south easterly seventy-seven degrees forty-four poles to a red oake thence south westerly twenty-eight degrees seventy-eight poles to a dogwood thence south westerly fifty degrees sixty-six poles to a gum thence south westerly fifty-six degrees seventy poles to a pine thence south westerly sixty-one degrees one hundred and twenty poles to a hickory thence south easterly fifty-nine degrees forty-eight poles to a red oake thence south westerly thirty-nine degrees twenty poles to a marked tree standing in aforesd. swamp thence running up the sd. branch its several courses & bounding thereon to ye first-mentioned station the said land being due unto ye said William Hunter by and for ye transportation of five persons into this colony whose names are to be in ye record mentioned under this patent. To have and to hold [illegible] to be held [illegible] yielding [?] & paying [illegible] provided [illegible] Given under my hand & ye seale of ye colony this 25th day of Aprill anno dom 1702
ffr. Nicholson
William Hunter his patent for 240
acres of land in Nansemond County
E. Jenings
William Hunter & his wife & daughter
Alice & son Nico. Hunter. Mary Cohan
“William Hunter, Capt.” was enumerated on Royal Governor Francis Nicholson’s roster of taxpapers, A Compleat List of the Rent Roll of the Land in Nansemond county in anno 1704, with 800 acres (The Quit Rents of Virginia, compiled and alphabetized by Annie Laurie Wright Smith, 1957).
On 6 April 1722 either William Hunter of Nansemond or his son William acquired 355 acres on the east side of the Chowan River on the head of Hell Pocoson (swamp), joining Cabin branch (Virginia Patent Book 3, p. 98).
In 1728 when William Byrd’s new survey of Virginia and North Carolina abolished the old ill-defined boundary between the two colonies, the Hunter land was designated in northeastern North Carolina (Chowan County) rather than in Nansemond Co. Va.
William Hunter died before 1729. His will, now lost, is mentioned in a Chowan land deed Thomas Rountree, attorney for Nicholas Hunter and his wife Rebecca, transferred from Nicholas of Carteret County to his son William Hunter on 27 March 1729. The land had been a bequest to Nicholas by his father: “. . . one hundred & twenty acres more or less being part of a patent formerly granted to Wm. Hunter, late of the Upper Parish of Nansemond, deceased, father of the afsd Nichs Hunter, party to these presents as by patent from the authority of Virginia bearing date the 25 April 1701, doth & may appear, & by the will & testament of the afsd Wm. Hunter deceased to Nics. Hunter” (Chowan Deed Book C, pp. 599-601).
Thos. Roundtree
attorney of Nico. Hunter
to Wm. Hunter
a Deed
27 March 1729
This Indenture made this 27th of March 1729 between Nich. Hunter of Carteret precinct in Both County & Rebecca his wife of the part & Wm. Hunter son of the sd Nicholas Hunter of Chowan Precinct of the other part witnesseth ye Thos Rountree of Albemarle County by vertue of a attorney to him directed by the afsd. Nic. Hunter & Rebecca his wife bearing date the 28 Augst 1728 Impowering the sd. Thos. Rountree to sell all the lands belonging to the sd. Nics. Hunter in Albemarle County & to give deeds sign seal & deliver & acknowledge the same to all intents & purposes as if they the sd. Nics. Hunter & Rebeca his wife were there present which power of attorney being first duly proved before Capt. Thos. Speight one of the members of this General Court have proceeded as followeth. Nevertheless that the sd. Nics. Hunter for a valuable consideration of fourteen pounds cur. Silver money of Virginia to him in had pd. By the afsd. Wm. Hunter the [illegible] whereof he the sd. Nics. Hunter doth by these presents acknowlege & for himself his heirs exrs admrs. Doth hereby likewise acquit exonerate & discharge him the afsd Wm. Hunter his heirs & assigns for ever have bargained & sold & by these presents doth fully clearly & absolutely give grant bargain sell & forever make over & confirm unto the sd. Wm. Hunter his heirs & assigns two parcels of land situate lying & being on ye southeastward side of Meherrin Swamp in Chowan Precinct beginning at a red oak sapling standing by Meherrin Swamp & running thence a southwardly course by a line of marked trees & past a cross the plantation whereon the sd. Nics. Hunter did formerly live to a hickory & by a line of marked trees to a live oak in the head of a small branch & from thence southeast or thereabouts by a line of marked trees to the line of the patent hereafter mentioned to a red oak sapling & thence along the several courses of the patent to the afsd. Meherrin Swamp & thence down the several courses of the afsd swamp & bounded thereon to the first station, be it one hundred & twenty acres more or less being part of patent formerly granted to Wm. Hunter late of the Upper Parish of Nansemond deceased father of the afsd Nichs Hunter party to these presents as by a patent from the authority of Virginia bearing date the 25 of Aprill 1701, doth & may appear & by the last will & testament of the afsd Wm. Hunter deceased descended to Nics. Hunter party to these presents as by the will afsd relation being thereunto had fully & at large doth & may appear the other part being a patent granted to the afsd Nichs. Hunter party to these presents for the quantity of forty-six acres as by patent bearing date the 24 Aprill 1703 doth & may appear beginning at a gum in Meherrin Swamp running thence & bounding on the land of Wm. Hunter deceast northeastwardly 29 degrees 22 poles to a red oak thence northwestwardly 100 degrees 24 poles bounding on the afsd Hunter’s line to a beech thence northwestwardly 83 degrees 100 poles across a small branch to a pine in the aforesaid swamp to the [illlegible] down the sd swamp its several [page 601] courses and bounded thereon to the first station be it forty acres more or less.
To have and to hold unto the sd. Wm. Hunter his heirs & assigns and all the rights &c. In witness &c the day & year first above written.
Thos Rountree for Nichs. Hunter & Rebecca his wife I have [illegible] names l& seals in their behalf
Nichs. Hunter }
Rebeca Hunter }
Isac. Hunter – Chas. Rountree.
Isaac Hunter of Chowan Co., N. C., son of William Hunter of Nansemond
On 4 August 1737 Isaac Hunter of Chowan purchased 640 acres in Ahoskey Woods of Bertie County from James Henderson, £60 (Bertie County, N. C., Deed Book E, p. 281).
On 2 May 1739 Isaac purchased three tracts from his nephew Isaac of Northampton Co., N. C., one of these a portion of the original William Hunter land (Chowan County Deed Book C2, 17 March 1740. pp. 45-47).
Isaac Hunter Junr [son of Nicholas Hunter] to Isaac Hunter Senr [brother of Nicholas]
This Indenture made this 2nd May 1739 between Isaac Hunter Senr of Bertie Pct & his wife [Elizabeth Parker] of the one part & Isaac Hunter Junr of Chowan County [later of Northampton County] of the other part Witnesseth that the said Isaac Huntr Junr for the valuable consideration of fifty pounds currant silver money to him in hand paid by the sd Isaac Huntr Senr to me whereof he the sd Isaac Hunter Junr doth by these presents acknowledge & for himself his heirs exrs & assigns do likewise [illegible] discharge the said Isaac Hunter Senr & his heirs forever Having [illegible] granged barg’d sould & by these presents doth fully clearly & absolutley give in the year of our Lord 1717 grant bargd aline sell & forever make over & confirm unto the sd Isaac Hunter senr his heirs & assigns Three Tracts of parcels of land situate lying & being in the county aforesd containing by estimation three hundred & eighty four acres more or less the first being part of a patent granted to Wm. Hunter late of Virginia deceased & by him given to his son Nicholas Hunter and by him sould & conveyed to his son Isaac Hunter, party to these presents as by beginning at a marked red oak standing on the side of a swamp commonly known by the name of Meherrin Swamp that issueth out of Bennets Creek & running across the plantation whereon Nicholas Hunter formerly lived by a line of marked trees & posts to a live oak standing in the head of a small branch & from thence S east or thereabouts by a line of marked trees to a red oak sapling standing on the line of the afsd Hunters which sd patent bearing date on the Secretary office in Virginia the 24th April in the year 1701 & from the afsd red oak sapling back along the sd patent line its several courses to a large branch commonly known by the name of Lasseters branch that issueth out of the aforesd Meherrin Swamp & from thence up the sd swamp its several courses abounded thereon to the first station be it one hundred acres more or less. The second being a patent granted to the sd Nicholas Hunter & Thos. Davis of the county of Perquimans in the province aforesaid for the quantity of one hundred & seventy four acres as by patent bearing date in the province afsd the ninth day of March in the year of our Lord 1717. The said Davis selling & conveying his part of the patent afsd to the said Nicholas Hunter as by a deed of sale from under the said Davis hand & seal now upon record [illegible]tion being had fully & at large doth remay appear & by the sd Hunter sold and conveyed by the authority afsd to his son Isaac Hunter party to these presents as by a deed of sale [illegible] date 8th of March 1729 doth & may appear. Beginning at a red oak being a corner tree of Jas Spivey’s land & from thence the several courses of his line to a pine a corner tree of the afsd Spivey’s & from thence S 85 degrees west 196 pole to the center of a gum & white oak in Nicholas Hunter’s line & then along his line to the first station, be it one hundred sixty four acres more or less. The third part being a tract or parcel of land purchased of Jas Spivey late of the upper parish of Nansemond in Virginia deceased being part of a patent granted to Wm. Lasseter of the county afsd bearing date in the province afsd the 24 April 1703 & by the sd Lassiter sould and conveyed to the said Jas Spivey & by the sd Jas Spivey sould & conveyed to Isaaac Hunter party to these presents as by a deed under the sd. Spivey’s hand & seal now upon record relation being thereunto had doth fully & at large appear, situate lying & being on the south side of Lassier’s branch & running up the said branch in several courses & bounded thereon to the head of the said branch & from thence east or thereabouts by a line of marked trees to the sd Hunter’s line & from thence north or thereabouts to the first station, be it one hundred acres more or less to have & to hld unto the sd Isaac Hunter Sr his heirs & assigns with all the houses orchards clear grounds woodland grounds with all woods waters trees timbers meadows & low grounds swamps marshes & all other liberties unto the sd Isaac Hunter Snr his heirs & assigns forever free from all claim of any person or persons whatsoever unto the said Isaac Hunter Senr his heirs & assigns to make any further or other lawful act conveyance or devise at any time or times withing seven years ensuing the date hereof To Isaac Hunter Senr his heirs forever. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the day & year first above written.
Isaac Hunter Junr
Signed Sealed & delivered in presence of us Wm Hunter [brother of Isaac Jr.] Elisha Hunter [son of Isaac Sr.]
March 27, 1740
Proved before me let it be regd
Wm [illegible] CJ
On 16 February 1743, Isaac Hunter purchased land from his brother Robert, “part of a patent to William Hunter late of Nansemond County . . . being the father of the said Robert and Isaac Hunter” (Chowan County Book A , p. 257). On 21 July 1743 “A deed of sale for lands from Robert Hunter to Isaac Hunter Senr. was proved by the oath of Elisha Hunter & on motion is ordered to be registered” (Chowan Co., N. C., County Court Minutes, Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions 1730 thru 1745, Book I, p. 149).
On 12 January 1744 Isaac Hunter pays Thomas Morris of Chowan £30 Virginia money for a 300 acres in Chowan (Chowan Deed Book A 1, p. 322-323):
Morris to Hunter
To all Christian People to whom these presents shall come Greeting Know yee that I Thomas Morris of Chowan County in North Carolina Planter for and in consideration of thirty Pounds current lawfull money of Virginia to him in hand Paid before the Ensealing Delivery of these Presents by Isaac Hunter of Chowan County in the province afsd the Receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge and my self fully satisfied and Consents and thereof and of every part and particle thereof do Exonerate and Discharge the said Isaac Hunter his heirs Executors administrators forever and by these Presents have given Granted issued Sold aleniated Convelyed Confirmed and by these Presents do grant Bargain sell confirm unto the said Isaac Hunter his heirs assigns for ever one Sertain Tract of Land situated lying and being in Chowan County in the Province afsd Beginning at a Red Oak on the Maple Branch Running along Marked trees to a hickory a Corner tree from thence Runing along a Line of old Partrick Lawers old Patent Line a straight course to Redik line & from thence runing to Phelps line to Bennets Creek Road & so along the said road to the Maple Branch and so Down the said Branch to the first Station three hundred acres of land be the Same Moor or less formerly belonging to the Chowan Indians as by Record may appear to have & to hold the said Bargained Premises with all the Impurtinances and Previleges to the Same belonging to him the said Isaac Hunter his heirs and assigns for Ever and I the said Thomas Morris for me my Heirs Executors and administrators do Covenant & Grant to him the said Isaac Huntor his heirs and assigns that before the ensealing thereof I am the true Sole & lawfull Owner of the above Bargained Premeses and am Lawfully Possessed of the Same and have in myself good Right full Power and Lawfull authority to Grant and Convey the said Bargained Premeses in manner abovesaid and that the said Isaac Hunter his heirs and assigns May hold and Possess and enjoy the said Bargained Premeses with the Impurtinances free Clearly acquitted & Dischaged of and from all manner of former gifts grants Bargains Sails Leases wills Entails Executions incumbrances Whatsoever and I the said Thomas Moris do further covenant and bind myself my heirs Executors administrators to Warrant and Defend the Said Isaac Huntor in quiet and Peaceable Possession the said Granted Premises against any just and lawful Claim of any Person Whatsoever In Witness Whereof I the said Thomas Morris have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Twelfth Day of January anno Dom 1744/5
his
Testes Thos. Acon Thomas T Morris {his Seale}
William Huntor mark
Jacob Hunter
Chowan } April Court anno Dom 1745
County } Present His Majestys Justices
These may certify that the within Deed of Sale of Land from Thomas Morris to Isaac Hunter was duly proved in Open Court by the Oath of William Hunter in Evidence thereto on Motion is Ordered to be Registered Test Edmund Hatchle Registered the 7th Day of May 1745 J A. Craven Reg.
In April Court 1745 “A deed of sale of land from Thomas Morris to Isaac Hunter was duly proved in open court by the oath of William Hunter and evidence thereto and on motion is ordered to be registered, fees paid £2.0.0″ (Chowan Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Book I, p. 229).
In 1744 Isaac Hunter petitioned to buy John Rice’s water mill. The purchase was made final in April court 1745 (Chowan County Court Minutes, Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Book One, pp. 104, 111).
On 9 May 1746 William Pugh of Edgecombe Co., N. C., sold Isaac Hunter of Chowan County 300 acres of land at Pitch Landing on the Chowan River bank for £37.10, the tract having been held by patent granted to Thomas Martin. It was adjacent to land of Ephraim Hunter (Isaac’s nephew and William Hunter’s son) and land of William Downing. Witnessed by Elizabeth Sumner and Joseph Sumner and registered at 23 January 1747 court, E. Hall, C. J. (Bertie County Deed Book G, p. 34).
On 9 February 1747 Isaac Hunter and his wife Elizabeth transferred 180 acres to their son Jacob Hunter (Chowan Deed Book E 1, pp. 336-337):
Hunter to Hunter
THIS Indenture made this ninth day of Octr. in the year of our Lord Christ one Thousand Seven hundred & forty seven between Isaac Hunter & Elizabeth his wife of Chowan County in the Province of North Carolina of the one Part & Jacob Hunter son of the sd Isaac Hunter & Elizabeth his wife of the County & Province aforesaid of the other Part. Witnesseth that the said Isaac Hunter & Elizabeth & in consideration of the natural love & affection which they have & bear unto the sd Jacob Hunter their Son as also for the better maintenance & Preferment of the sd Jacob Hunter hath given granted alined Executed & Confirmed & by these Presents Doth give grant alin Endow & Confirm unto the sd Jacob Hunter one Messuage or Tenement of Land Situate Lying & being in the County & Province aforsd on the Eastward Side of the Meherin Swamp beginning at at Black gum standing in the Line of a Tract or parcell of Land now in the Tenour or Occupation of Samuel Harrell from Thence to other thereabout along the several courses of a pattent granted to Isaac Hunter & Robert Hunter to a pine being now made a corner tree for a new Dividing line from thence westward along the said Dividing Line & bounded thereon at ye head of a small Branch known by the name of the Wolfret Branch Thence Down the Several courses to a Line of marked trees to the aforesd Meheren Swamp & from thence down the sd Swamp its several Courses & borders there on to the mouth of a branch Commonly known or called the Oysterlong Thence up the sd Branch to a pine standing on Samuel Harrells Line and from Thence along the sd Harrells line to the beginning Place the whole containing by estimation one hundred & Eighty acres of Land be the same as are on [illigible] with all and singular its appurtenances and all Houses out Houses &c and the Reversion & Reversions Remainder & Remainders Rents & Services of the Premises & all the Estate Right title Interest Property Claim & Demand whatsoever of them that sd Isaac Hunter & Elizabeth his wife of [illegible] to the sd Messuage or Tenement Lands & Premises & Every Part & parcel thereof with the appurtenances & all Deeds Evidence & writings Concerning the sd Premises now in the hands or custody of the sd Isaac Hunter or which he may get or come by with out Test in Law to have & to hold the said Messuage or Tenement Lands & Premises hereby given & granted unto the sd Jacob Hunter his Heirs & assigns to the only Proper use and behalf of the sd Jacob Hunter his heirs & assigns for Ever Nevertheless & it is hereby the true intent & meaning of this Present instrument of writing that [if] the sd Jacob Hunter Should die before his sd Father Isaac Hunter & Leave no issue of his body Lawfully Begotten that then the sd Land & Premises shall Return to the sd Isaac Hunter & this Present Deed to be void & of none effect as if the same had never been made & the sd Isaac Hunter & Elizabeth his wife for themselves their Heirs Executors & administrators Doth Covenant & Grant to & with the said Jacob Hunter his Heirs & assigns that he the sd Jacob Hunter his Heirs & assigns shall & Lawfully may from henceforth for Ever hereafter (Except as aforsd) Peaceably & Quietly have hold Occupy & Enjoy the said Land and tenement, Hereditaments & Premises hereby given granted or mentioned or intended so to be with their appurtenances farce & claim & Discharged of & from all gifts grants Bargains & Sales fiefments jointures Dowers Estates Entails Rents Rent Charges arrearages of Rentes Statutes Judgments & of & from all other titles Taxables Charges or incumbrances whatsover IN WITNESS whereof the sd Isaac Hunter & Elizabeth his wife hold hereunto [illegible] their hands & affixed their seals the Day & year above.
Signed sealed & Delivered Isaac Hunter {seal}
in the Presence of Elizabeth Hunter {seal}
William Hunter
Elisha Hunter
John Hunter
Edenton October ye 11th 1748
Then appeared before Enoch Hall Esq Chief Justice of North Carolina the within Elisha Hunter one of ye witnesses to the within Judgement who on Oath Declared that he saw & heard [illegible] then Isaac Hunter & Elizabeth his wife Seal & Execute & acknowledge ye within instrument to be his act & sealed & that he saw the other witnesses within thereat sign Each his name thereto as Witnesses Let it be Registered
Registered October the 29th 1748 E. Hall C. J. & Jas. Craven Reg.
On 9 August 1748 Thomas Hansford sold Isaac Hunter of Chowan 312 acres on the Chowan River for £50, adjacent to land of William Downing, of John Cherryhorn, and of “Nubys Corner.” The tract was formerly granted to Thomas Martin by patent, 28 February 1704. Witnessed by Jenkins Hansford, James Leslie, Joseph Perry and registered in May court 1749, John Lovich, C. C. (Bertie County Deed Book G, p. 315).
In 1750 “Isaac Hunter, Sen., of Chowan County” sold his son Elisha Hunter 140 acres of the Pitch Landing acreage on the south side of the Chowan River for £30. Isaac’s nephew Ephraim Hunter, John Cheerryhorn, and Isaac himself continued to hold the adjoining land, part of the Thomas Martin patent cited above and part of a patent granted to Thomas Hanford containing 312 acres. Witnesses: John Gordon, Jacob Hunter, Jesee Hunter. November court 1750. Samuel Ormes C. C. (Bertie County Deed Book G, p. 313).
Isaac Hunter signed his will in Chowan County in 1753, bequeathing the plantation to his son and executor Elisha, the water mill to his son Jacob, “all my land in Bartea County, as by a patent dated the twenty-eighty day of February 1744-45 for one hundred acres,” to his son Isaac, “also a deed of sale for 179 acres, dated April 20, 1745 and joining to Elisha Huntor’s lands, I say to my son Isaac Hunter and his heirs and assigns forever.”
Isaac Hunter of Bute/Warren Co., N. C., son of Isaac Hunter of Chowan
About 1757 Isaac and his brothers Jesse and Daniel migrated from the Albemarle region to Granville County. Isaac and Jesse settled along Shocco Creek in the section that became Bute County (later renamed Warren). Daniel’s land was nearby on Fishing Creek in Granville. “One of the most prosperous sections of the county [Warren],” writes Catherine W. Bashir, “lay in the southeastern area, which was watered by Shocco Creek and Fishing Creek and known for its good land and healthy air. Much of this land was part of an early grant to Edward Moseley, a prominent Colonial official, but in the late eighteenth century it had been acquired by members of the Alston and Williams families, among others” (The House that Marina Built: Cherry Hill, a Plantation and Its Family, Warrenton, N. C.: Cherry Hill Historical Foundation, Inc., 2004, p. 7).
On 1 June 1757 for £210, 4s, Isaac Hunter acquired 404 acres from William Hurst, a Granville County tract situated between Fishing Creek and Shocco Creek “on Alston’s line to Moseley’s line, being part of a tract bought of William Little, Esq., Dec. 3, 1729. Witness to the purchase was Isaac’s brother Jesse, mistakenly recorded as “Jos.” (Granville Co. Deed Book C, pp. 586-587). On the same day, Jesse purchased land nearby. The brothers married the Alston sisters—Jesse to Ann in 1758 and Isaac to Martha in 1760.
In 1758 Isaac sold the Bertie land granted him in his father’s will: “Tract of land in Bertie on the west side of Chowan River granted by patent to Isaac Hunter, father of said Isaac, dated 12 Apr. 1745 – 150 acres beginning on the said river pocoson called Pugh’s or Caleb Services Line, also 149 acres contiguous to the aforesaid tract and binding on Ephraim Hunter’s line and Robert Sumner’s line”. See Bertie County Deed Book 1, p. 43.
On 15 May 1769 Isaac Hunter increased his holdings by buying former Little land from Elisha Battle of Edgecombe County. For this he paid £210 in proclamation money. “All his right & title to one tract of land in Bute County containing 376 acres, being part of a purchased patent which was granted to Col. William Little dated Dec. 5, 1728 at 6d. per hundred quadrants,” lying on the north side “of Shocko Creek beginning at a white oak Thos Sumner’s corner on the bank of said creek, to a small red oak, to a sweet gum, to Horsepen Branch, down the branch to Shocko Creek.” “Test: Wm. Battle, Jacob Battle, Jethro Battle, Philip Alston, Dan’l Hunter.” Proved in Bute’s August Court 1770 by Daniel Hunter, Ben McCulloch, C. C. Reg. 12 Feb. 1771 by Wm. Johnson P. R. On “15th August 1771 “Deld to Isaac Hunter” (Book 39, p. 121).
On 14 November 1771 Isaac sold a parcel of Little land to his brother Jesse for “£133, 6 shil & 8 pence Proc. money.” This comprised 100 acres of the 1728 Little tract that Isaac had purchased from Battle (Bute County Will Book 3, p. 351).
In 1781 the “List of Taxables, Warren County” in Capt. Benjamin’s Ward’s District Isaac Hunter’s assets were valued at £16,205 (The County of Warren, North Carolina, by Manley Wade Wellman, Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1959, p. 56).
On 21 January 1801 Isaac Hunter of Warren County deeded Jonathan Kittrell, Sr., of Granville two tracts. The second had been purchased by Daniel Hunter, Isaac’s brother who died in 1797, from Williamson Finch and his wife Molly on 3 February 1794 (Granville County Deed Book Q, p. 450).
The Warren County Tax List of 1811 enumerates Isaac Hunter with 670 acres and his son Jacob with 110 acres.
Solomon Alston Hunter of Bute/Warren Co., N. C., Liberty Co., Ga., Wilkes Co., Ga., and Abbeville Dist., S. C., son of Isaac Hunter of Bute/Warrren
The will of Solomon Alston, grandfather of Solomon Alston Hunter, was signed 4 September 1780 and probated in Warren County, N. C., in January 1785:
“I give & bequeath to my grand-son Solomon Hunter, son of Isaac Hunter, a piece or parcel of land out of the tract of twelve hundred acres purchased by me of Joseph Montfort Esq. . . . to him my grand-son Solomon Hunter and his heirs forever.”
“A Codicil to the afore mentioned Will – It is my will and desire that a certain piece or parcel of land given in my last will and testament to my grand son Solomon Hunter son of Isaac Hunter and Martha his wife, since the making of my said will, I have given the said Solomon Hunter the said land by deed dated on the 18th. Day of April 1781. Therefore it is my desire that the said legacy given in my said will be null and void as if never made. . . . In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal this 18th. Day of April A. D. 1784. Solomon Alston {seal} Witnesses: Thos Maclen, Richard Revear, Solomon Hunter, William Myrick, Francis Myrick.”
Below are transcriptions of land transfers in Warren Co., N. C., in 1784, whereby Solomon Hunter received land from his grandfather and immediately sold it to his uncle, James Alston.
Warren Co., N. C., Deed Book 8, p. 124
Alston to Hunter
Deed
This indenture made the first of Aprile in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty One Beetween—Solomon Alston of the county of Warren and the State of Ncarolina of the one part & Solomon Hunter son of Isac Hunter & Martha his wife of the other part witnesseth the for an in consideration of the several affection and regard which I have & bare to the said Solomon Hunter my Grandson and for the consideration of Five Shillings Current money of to me in hand paid by the said Solomon Hunter at & Before the sealing & Delivering hereof hath given Granted bargained & Sold unto him my Said Grandson Solomon Hunter and to his heirs and assigns as aforesaid out of a Tract Purchased by me of Joseph Montford Esqr Beginning rot the same (To wit) at the head of the Lower Richneck Branch near where Robisons path turns off of the Road thence down the Old Rode near the Barron [illegible] Thence by my line 51 East to a Black Oke a Corner Thence N 140 Poles to a white Oke thence North 42 W 58 Poles to a spanish Oke in Poor Creek thence up the Creek S 60 W 46 Poles to the mouth of Sacherys Branch Thence up the said Branch 20 D W. To the head of the said Branch Thence the same Courses Continued to McCollocks Line to a post Oak 132 Poles thence by his Line up this Branch to the Beginning To have and to hold the said land to him my said Grandson Solomon Hunter his heirs and assigns forever which I do hereby Warrant & Defend by these presents from the Clame of all persons whatsoever In Witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed my seall the Day and Date above Written Synd Sealed
and Deliverd in presnce of Solomon Alston {seal}
Thos. Machon
James Alston
Richard Riveir Warren County Aprile Court 1784
This Deed from Solomon Alston to Solomon Hunter was provd by the oath of Richard Riveir a witness hearto on motion the same is orderd to be Registered Test Mduke Johnson
The aforegoing Deed having been provd and Orderd to be Registered the same is Truly done the 23 Day of March 1785 William Johnson [illigible]
Warren Co., N. C., Deed Book 8, p. 160
Hunter to Alston / Deed
This Indenture made this Eleventh day of April in the year of our lord One Thousand Seven Hundred & Eighty four Between Solomon Hunter of the county of Warren and State of Ncarolina of the one part and James Alston of the other part witnesseth that for and in consideration of the sum of two Hundred pounds Current money of the Said state in hand paid by the said James Alston before the sealing and Delivering and thereof hath Given Granted Bargained & Sold unto the Said James Alston to his heirs & Assigns forever one Tract in parcel of land to him his heirs and Assigns as aforesaid a tract purchased by me of Solomon Alston beginning for the Same (to wit) at the head of the lower Rich neck Branch near where Robertsons path turns and of the road thence down the Old Road near the barren lick thence by my line 51 De[grees] to a black Oak a corner tree thence N degrees 42 W 5 poles to a Spanish Oak in Pole Creek thence up the said Creek N 60 degrees W 46 poles to the mouth of Sacherys Branch thence up the said branch N degrees seventy W of the same branch thence the same course continued to Mcullock line to a post Oak 132 poles thence by his line to the said lower Richneck branch thence up the said branch to the beginning to have and to hold the said land to him the said James Alston his heirs and assigns for ever which land I doe hereby warrant and defend by these presence from the claim of my hers Exrs Admr assigns and from the claim of all persons whatsoever In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and afixed my seal the day and date above written
Solomon Hunter {seal}
Signed Sealed and Deliverd In presence
of–us–
Witt Myrick
Frances Myrick
Warren County Octr Court 1784
This deed from Solomon Hunter to James Alson was proved by the oath of Wm Myrick [illegible] hereto and [illegible] the same were ordered to be Registered
Test Mduke Johnson [illegible]
Solomon Hunter migrated to Liberty Co.,Ga., in April 1784 and in 1785 married Jane Mahan, the widow of Stephen Dickinson. With the marriage, Dickinson’s land and debts became Solomon’s
Liberty County, Georgia, Record A, 1785-1787, Superior Court Deeds & Mortgages, p.15.
STATE OF GEORGIA
To all people to whom these presents shall come—
I, Solomon Hunter of Liberty County in the state aforesaid send greeting– Whereas I, the said Solomon Hunter, in and by bond or obligation bearing date the twelfth day of July 1785 became held and firmly bound unto John Baker of the county and state aforesaid in the penal sum of eighty-four pounds sterling, with condition thereunder written for the payment of the sum of forty-two pounds sterling specie, like money unto the said John Baker his heirs, executors, administration or assigns, on or before the first day of January 1786 as in and by the said bond or obligation and condition thereunder written relation thereunto being had, may more fully and at large appear.
Now know ye, that I the said Solomon Hunter for the better securing the payment of the said debt or sum of forty-two pounds sterling unto the said John Baker, his executors, administrators, or assigns on or before the said first day of January 1786 agreeable to the tenor, true intent and meaning of the condition of the before recited obligation, and also for an in consideration of the sum of five shillings like money by the said John Baker to the said Solomon Hunter in hand well and truly paid at and before the sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof I do hereby deliver unto the said John Baker one Negro man named Jamey to have and to hold the said Negroe man Jamey unto the said John Baker his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns forever, and I the said Solomon Hunter my heirs executors and assigns the said bargained premises unto the said John Baker his heirs executors administrators and assigns in manner and form aforesaid of from and against all person or persons whomsoever shall and will warrant and forever defend by these presents, provided always nevertheless that if the said Solomon Hunter his heirs executors or administrators shall and do will and truly pay or cause to be paid unto the said John Baker his heirs executors administrators or asigns the full and Int. Sum of forty two pounds sterling money of the state aforesaid on or before the said first day of January according to the true intent and meaning of the condition of the before recited obligation and of these presents then this deed of bargain and sale and all and every clause, article, and thing herein contained shall cease determine and be utterly void and of none effect; any thing herein before contained to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding—And it is hereby declared, by and between the said parties and the said Solomon Hunter for himself his heirs executors administrators and assigns do covenant, promise and agree to and will the said John Baker his heirs executors administrators and assigns by these presents that if the default shall happen to be made of or in payment of said debt or sum of forty-two pounds sterling on or before the said first day of January 1786 in the condition of the above recited obligation mentioned that then and in such case it shall and may be lawful to and for the said John Baker his heirs executors administrators assigns attorneys or agents from time to time and at all times thereafter peaceably and quietly to enter into any messuage lands or tenements of the said Solomon Hunter and take the said Negroe man Jamey into his custody and possession and the same to hold and attain to his own use and behalf as his own proper goods and chattels from thenceforth forever or the same to sell and dispose of at his will and pleasure, returning the overplus, if any shall happen to be after payment of the said debt or sum of forty-two pounds sterling and all lawful and reasonable charges unto the said Solomon Hunter his executors administrators or assigns. In witness whereof the said Solomon Hunter has hereunto set my hand and seal this twelfth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty five in the tenth year of American Independence.
Solomon Hunter
Witness
Artemas Baker
Liberty County } Personally appear before me John Hardy Esq one of the justices assigned to keep the peace in the county aforesaid, Artemas Baker, who being duly sworn, maketh oath that he was present and did see the within named Solomon Hunter sign seal and as his act and deed deliver the within instrument of writing and he subscribed his name as a witness to the execution of the said Solomon Hunter.
Sworn before me
this 12th day July 1785 } Artemas Baker
John Hardy, J. P.
STATE OF GEORGIA } Know all men by these presents that I Solomon Hunter of the County of Liberty and state aforesaid am held and firmly bound to John Baker of the state and county aforesaid, merchant, in the full and just sum of eighty-four pounds sterling to be paid to the said John Baker or his certain attorney executors administrators or assigns for which payment well and faithfully made bind myself my heirs executors and administrators and every of them firmly by these presents, sealed with my seal, dated this twelfth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty five and in the tenth year of American Independence.
The condition of this obligation is such that if the above bound Solomon Hunter or his heirs executors or administrators or any of them shall and do well and truly pay or cause to be paid unto the above named John Baker or his executors administrators or assigns the full sum of forty-two pounds sterling in specie on or before the first day of January which will be in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty six with lawful interest, then this obligation to be void and of none effect or [illegible] to remain in full force and virtue.
Signed sealed and delivered } Solomon Hunter
in presence of }
Artemas Baker }
Liberty County} Personally appeared before me John Hardy Esqr one of the justices assigned to keep the peace in the county aforesaid Artemas Baker, who being duly sworn, maketh oath that he was present and did see the within named Solomon Hunter sign, seal and as his act and deed deliver the within instrument of writing and he subscribed his name as a witness to the due execution of the said Solomon Hunter.
Artemas Baker
Sworn before me
this 12th day July 1785 Recorded 12 Jyly 1785
John Hardy J. P. John Graves C. C. C.
Page 25
GEORGIA To Samuel Stirk, James Jackson and William Stephens Esqs. attorneys of the Superior Court in the said state or to eighter of them or to any other attorney of the said court. — These are to desire and authorize you the attorneys above mentioned or to either of your or any other attorney of the said court to appear for us Solomon Hunter and Jane Hunter of the county of Liberty in the said Superior Court of the county of Liberty, as of this or any subsequent term or terms and then and there to receive a process for us in and an action of debt for two hundred pounds specie upon a bond bearing same date with these presents of the penalty of four hundred pounds specie conditioned for the payment of the said sum of two hundred pounds like money at the suit of John Baker of the said county, merchant. And therefore to confess the same action or else to suffer a judgment by default or otherwise to pass against us in the same action and to be thereupon entered up against us of record for the said debt besides cost of the suit and for your or any oryour so doing, this shall be a sufficient warrant. On witness whereof we the said Solomon Hunter and Jane Hunter have hereunto set our hands and seals. The twenty eighth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty five.
Signed sealed and delivered Solomon Hunter
in presence of Jane Hunter
A. Baker } State of Georgia
Liberty County } Personally appeared before me John Hardy Esq one of the justices assigned to keep the peace in said county, Artemus Baker who being duly sworn make the oath that he was present and did see the within named Solomon Hunter and Jane his wife sign seal and as this act and deed deliver the within instrument of writing
Artemas Baker
Recorded 4th August 1785
John Graves C. C. C. L.
Page 139
GEORGIA Know all men by these presents that we Solomon Hunter and Jane Hunter of the
county of Liberty and state aforesaid are held and firmly bound and obliged unto Mr. Peter Donworth merchant of the county of Liberty and state aforesaid in the full and just sum of eighty seven pounds five shillings and eight pence sterling specie money of said state to be paid to the said Peter Donworth his certain attorneys executors administrators or assigns for which payment will and truly be made and done. We bind ourselves our heirs executors and administrators or assigns for which payment will and truly to be made and done. We bind ourselves our heirs executors and administrators severally and jointly firmly by these presents, sealed with our seals and dated the first day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty six and in the tenth year of American Independence.
The condition of the above obligation is such that if the above bounden Solomon Hunter and Jane Hunter our heirs executors or administrators or any of them shall and do will and truly pay or cause to be paid unto the above named Peter Donworth his executors administrators or assigns the full and just sum of forty pounds [illegible] shillings and ten pence sterling money of said state on or before the fifty day of May one thousand seven hundred and eighty six with lawful interest without fraud or further delay then this obligation to be void, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue.
Sealed and delivered } Sol Hunter {LS}
in the presence of }
Elisha Miller } her
Jane X Hunter
mark
STATE GEORGIA }
LIBERTY COUNTY } To all people to whom these presents shall come, we Solomon Hunter and Jane Hunter of the state and county aforesaid send greeting — Whereas we Solomon Hunter and Jane Hunter in and by our bond or obligation bearing date the first day of May one thousand seven hundred and eighty six became held and firmly bound unto Peter Donworth of the said state and county aforesaid in the [illegible] sum of eighty seven pounds five shillings and eight pence sterling with condition thereunder written for the payment of the sum of forty three pounds twelve shillings and ten pence sterling specie like money unto the said Peter Donworth his executors administrators or assigns on or before the fifth day of May 1786 as in and by the said bond or obligation and condition thereunder written (relation thereunto being had) may more fully and at large appear — Now know ye that us Solomon Hunter and Jane Hunter for the letter securing the payment of the said debt or sum of forty three pounds twelve shillings and ten pence sterling unto the said peter Donworth his executors administrators or assigns on of before the fifty day of May 1786 aggeable to the tenor true intent and meaning of the condition of the above recited obligation and also for and in consideration of the sum of five shillings like money by the said Peter Donwroth to the said Solomon Hunter and Jane Hunter in hand will and truly paid at and before the sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge have bargained and sold and by these presents do bargain sell and deliver with the said Peter Donworth one Negro fellow named Jacob to have and to hold the said [page 140] Negro fellow named Jacob unto the said Peter Donworth his heirs executors administrators and assigns for ever and we the said Solomon Hunter and Jane Hunter our heirs executors administrators, the said bargained premises unto the said Peter Donworth his executors administrators and assigns in manner and form aforesaid of from and against all [illegible] persons whomsoever and will warrant and forever defend by these presents; provided always nevertheless that if the said Solomon Hunter and Jane Hunter their heirs executors or administrators shall and do well and [illegible] or cases to be paid unto the said Peter Donsworth his heirs executors administrators or assigns the full and just sum of forty three pounds twelve shillings and ten pence sterling money of the state aforesaid on or before the fifty day of May one thousand seven hundred and eighty six according to the intent and meaning of the condition of the before recited obligation and of these presents [illegible] this deed or bargain and sale and all and every claim article and thing herein contained shall be [illegible] determined and be utterly void and of none effect any thing herein before contained to the condition thereof in any wise nothwithstanding, and it is hereby declared by and between the said [illegible] and the said Solomon Hunter and Jane Hunter for themselves their heirs executors administrators and assigns do covenant promise and agree to and with the said Peter Donworth his heirs executors administrators and assigns by these presents that if default shall happen to be made of or on payment of the said debts or sum of forty three pounds twelve shillings and ten pence sterling on or before the fifth day of May one thousand seven hundred and eighty six in the conditions of the above recited obligation mentioned that then and in such case it shall and may be [illegible] to and for the said Peter Donworth his heirs executors administrators assigns attorneys or agents for him to time and at all times hereafter presently and quietly enter into any messuage, lands, or tenements of the said Solomon Hunter and Jane Hunter and take the said Negro fellow named Jacob into his custody and possession and the same to hold and retain to his own use and behalf as his proper goods and chattels from thenceforth and for ever or the same to dispose of and sell at his will and pleasure, returning the over[illegible] if any shall happen to be after payment of the said debt or sum of forty three pounds twelve shillings and ten pence and all lawful and reasonable and reasonable charges unto the said Solomon Hunter and Jane Hunter their executors administrators or assigns. In witness whereof we the said Solomon Hunter and Jane Hunter have hereunto set our hands and seals this first day of May one thousand seven hundred and eighty six in the tenth year of American Independence.
Witness Solomon Hunter {LS}
Elisha Miller her
Jane X Hunter {LS}
mark
Recorded 28th October 1786
John Graves CCCL
Solomon Hunter, a Revolutionary War sergeant who served for eighty-four months in the North Carolina Continental Line, petitioned for bounty land promised in the state’s vast reserve located in what would become central Tennessee. In 1786 a grant of one thousand acres in Tennessee County, Tenn., was awarded to him, but he never received this bounty. His land was stolen in the notorious Glasgow Land Fraud that swindled hundreds of veterans. Secretary of State James Glasgow of North Carolina and Captain Moses Shelby fleeced hopeful soldiers by forging their names and pocketing profits from sales. Shelby claimed that Solomon was deceased. “273. Warrant 3353; location 3410; Nov. 2, 1787 Joseph Brock, assignee of Solomon Hunter’s heirs transferred to A Hart to Seyborn Jones, 1,000 ac on a branch of Blooming Grove [Cr] and runs up the branch; A Foster; surveyed by Wm Crutcher; no location (signed) J Willis.” Another file entry states: “File 47, 3353. Soldier: heirs of Solomon Hunter; 1,000 ac; assignments: by David Hunter to Seburn Jones; drawn by: M Shelby; survey for: S Jones; remarks: first assignment [David Hunter and Joseph Brock] forged by Moses Shelby” (A. B. Pruitt, Glasgow Land Fraud Papers, 1783-1800: North Carolina Bounty Land in Tennessee, 1988, p. 52).
In Wilkes Co., Ga., Solomon Hunter was taxed for one poll in 1791. He died in Abbeville Dist., S. C., in 1799. Since the deed books of Abbeville were destroyed by a courthouse fire, there is no known record that Solomon owned land in Abbeville. The sale of his estate was conducted from the home of the late Robert Terry.
The Dickinson land held by Solomon Hunter fell into question. Following Dickinson’s death, it had been administered by Jane Mahan on 20 April 1783. The probate files in the Liberty County courthouse show on 6 September 1802 the names of Thomas Nelmes and John W. Nelmes entered as administrators of the Dickinson estate with securities listed as Thomas Mell and James Roberts. The Dickinson file includes a clipping of a public announcement published in the Darien Gazette: “NOTICE. Nine months after date application will be made to the honorable the court of ordinary, of the county of Liberty, for leave to sell all the real estate of Stephen Dickenson, deceased, for the benefit of the heirs. JOHN KELL, adm’r. July 12—–38.” In pen is added “1814.” The notice is attached to a deposition, which states: “I do hereby certify that the above ‘Notice’ has been published in the Darien Gazette, conformably to Law—that is to day, once a month for nine months. J. McIntosh Maxwell of the firm of Millen & Maxwell, Eds. Darien Gazette. Darien, May 3, 1822. Sworn to before me 3rd May 1822 Jon.Sawyer JP”
James A. Hunter of Abbeville Dist., S. C., Baldwin Co., Ga., Crawford Co., Ga., Talbot Co., Ga., Meriwether Co., Ga., and Choctaw Co., Miss., son of Solomon Alston Hunter of Abbeville
Deed to tract in Meriwether Co., Ga.
Draughan to Hunter
Recorded this 4th day of June 1835
Book D, Page 118
Clerk’s Office, Superior Court
Meriwether County, Georgia
Lewis M. Adams, Clerk
GEORGIA
Meriwether County
This indenture made this fourth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four between Richard Draughan, as guardian for Henry Simmons Minor of the county of Jones and state aforesaid, of the court’s part and James A. Hunter of the above state and county of the other part.
Witnesseth that whereas by virtue of the order of court granted by the honourable court of ordinary of Jones county on the first part Monday in March last to the said Richard Draughan to sell a tract of land belonging to the said Minor lying and being in Meriwether county and state aforesaid, containing two hundred two and one-half acres more or less, know by No. Two hundred and thirteen in the Second District of Troupe now Meriwether County and after the land was duly advertised in the public Gazette in conformity to the law, the land was put up and exposed to sale at the highest bid at the door of the court house in said county within the legal hours of the sale on the first Tuesday in November in the present month by the said James A. Hunter at the price and sum of two hundred dollars, he being the highest bidder, now for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred dollars in hard price to him the said Richard Draughan, by him and said James A. Hunter at and before the sealing and delivery of these presents the court whereof and hereby acknowledged that the said Richard Draughan, guardian as aforesaid hath granted, bargained, sold, and conveyed and by these presents doth grant, bargain, sell, and convey unto him the said James A. Hunter, his heirs, and assigns to him and their own proper use and benefit and behalf forever in fee simple – and the said Richard Draughan guardian as aforesaid the before named land with all the rights and appurtenances hereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining unto him the said James A. Hunter and his heirs and assigns, shall and will warrant and forever defend the legal and equitable title against himself and all and every other person or persons whatsoever as far as in law or in equity belonged as guardian as aforesaid, in witness whereof the said Richard Draughan guardian as aforesaid hath here unto set his hand and the day and date before written.
Sign, sealed, and delivered
Richard Draughan {L. S.}
In the presence of
Ralph Richard [?]
[illegible] Hearn JP
After the Choctaw and Chickasaw cessions, pioneers flocked to the northern part of Mississippi newly opened for settlement. James A. Hunter and his family were in this migration. They left Meriwether Co., Ga., in 1835, and he purchased a tract from John D. Bradford, a speculator and land dealer. Bradford was buying vast tracts from the government and from the Chickasaw and was reselling them.
“The government sales at Columbus, Mississippi, in the autumn of 1834 alone brought in estimated receipts of more than half a million dollars. Sales of a similar magnitude continued through 1835, and speculation reached its height with the marketing of Chickasaw lands in January 1836. The public sales of these northern Mississippi lands attracted an enormous crowd of speculators and a million dollars in investment capital. A second sale in September produced equal enthusiasm. The ready availability of credit through the generous lending policy of the local Pontotoc bank increased the temptation to buy. In 1836 sales of the public domain in Mississippi exceeded 2,000,000 acres” (Malcolm J. Rohrbough, The Land Office Business: The Settlement and Administration of American Public Lands, 1789-1837, Belmont, Cal.: Wadsworth Publishing Co., 1968, p. 185).
In 1966 a bond pertaining to the Hunters’ Mississippi land was found among receipts and letters of James A. Hunter and Silvanus Gardner Hunter. These were preserved in an old Hunter wallet in the possession of Silvanus’s grandson Leo Hunter of Mantee, Mississippi. The transcription below is from a photocopy made then by Hunter M. Cole. Because the edges of the handwritten document were torn, some of the wording is illegible and the date, possibly 1870, is missing.
The bond states the location of the Hunter farm, the northern half of section sixteen of township twenty-one, in Choctaw Co., Miss. The 320-acre site, now in Webster County, was on the eastern side of the Choctaw-Chickasaw line, and thus was in the former Chickasaw homeland. Sixteenth Section tracts were by law reserved for the use of public schools, but in the 1830s federal land agents sold off all sections sixteen. To correct this error for taxation and schools, the state legislature substituted lieu lands in these northern Mississippi counties. Thus John D. Bradford, James A. Hunter, and others claiming the title to property in sections sixteen had a legal right to do so.
After it was photocopied, the original bond was returned to Leo Hunter, along with miscellaneous Hunter receipts taken from the wallet for copying. Since Leo Hunter’s death in 1980 the wallet and the original papers have not been traced.
Know all men by these presents that I, John D. Bradford of Pontotoc, am held and firmly bound unto Silvanus G. Hunter, administrator of the estate of James A. Hunter late of Choctaw County and State of Mississippi in the [illegible]nal sum of Eleven hundred dollars [illegible]quent will and truly to be m[illegible] signed with my hand and sealed with my seal this 2nd day of August A. D. 18[torn off].
The condition of the above bond is this: the said James A. Hunter deceased [in 1844] during his life contracted and agreed to give said John D. Bradford the sum of Five hundred and fifty dollars for the North half of Section Sixteen (16) in Township Twenty one (21) of Range seventeen (17) East of the Meridian. The surveys of the Choctaw session of the state of Mississippi—Two hundred and ninety Dollars of which sum has been paid, the receipt of which sum is hereby acknowledged, and the said Silvanus G. Hunter as administrator has this day paid the said John D. the further sum of one hundred dollars and has exec[illegible] his note to the said John D. For the further sum of one hundred and sixty dollars bearing interest from the 21st of May last and made payable on the first of January next.
Now upon the payment of the said note if the said John D. will make or cause to be made to the said Silvanus G. Hunter Administrator or to the heirs of said James A. Hunter a good and valid [illegible] tract of land then this Bond shall be null & void, otherwise to [illegible] a full force and virtue.
Given under my hand and seal this day and year first above written.
John D. Bradford {seal}
Witness: William Hendly
Silvanus Gardner Hunter of Choctaw Co., Miss., Chickasaw Co., Miss., and Webster Co., Miss., son of James A. Hunter
A tax receipt from 6 December 1875 shows S. G. Hunter’s personal taxes at $16.28 and his real-estate tax at $15.13. His taxed land is described as “SE 1/4 of Sec. 31, Township 15, Range 2; S ½ NE 1/4 of Sec. 31, Township 15, Range 2; N ½ Se 1/4 of Sec. 32, Township 15, Range 2; and 40 a[cres] Nside SE 1/4 of Sec. 32, Township 15, Range 2 [and] fract Sec. 6, Township 16, Range 2″ (Leo Hunter papers).
A tax receipt from 30 December 1892 shows S. G. Hunter’s personal assessment on $500.00 and his real-estate assessment on 340 acres, described as “S ½ Ne 1/4, Sec 31, T 15, R 2; N ½ N ½ SE 1/4, Sec 32, T 15, R 2 [and] 80 @ [acres?]Tract Sec. 6, T 16, R 2″ (Leo Hunter papers).
S. G. Hunter’s will mentions three tracts in Webster County, the first being thirty-five acres described as N ½ of S ½ of NE 1/4 all in Sec 31, Township 15, Range 2E, the acreage of the second not specified but described as SE 1/4 and S ½ of NE 1/4 all in Sec. 31, Township 15, Range 2E. A third tract is described as Sec 31 SE 1/4 and S ½ of NE 1/4 in Township 15, Range 2E (Probate records, Webster County Courthouse, Walthall, Miss.).