NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

The HUNTER family is one of the old and respected families of this country, whose members have been prominent in many walks of life, some winning renown on the battle field, some in the business world, and some in professional life. The HUNTERs are of the same lineage as that of Sir Francis DRAKE, and by marriage became connected with a lineal descendant of Sir William WALLACE. General Robert HUNTER was governor-general of New York and contiguous colonies, by appointment of the English Crown, during the period when Great Britain held sway over the section of our country bordering the Atlantic.

Captain Elijah HUNTER, the first of the branch here under discussion of whom we have definite information, was a distinguished officer of the Colonial army in the Revolutionary War, and was entrusted with much important service. He was in Colonel HOLMES’ campaign, participated in the battle of White Plains, and won recognition for his bravery and skill. He was a native of Newcastle, New York, born in 1749, died in 1815. In early life he was employed in the store of Gilbert DRAKE, where he gained a thorough knowledge of the mercantile business, and won the approbation and approval of his employer by his painstaking efforts and valuable aid. Later he removed to Bedford, New York, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits, which proved highly successful, and in 1785 he purchased a large tract of land at Sing Sing, New York, and became one of the founders of that town. He married Anna DRAKE, a daughter of Gilbert DRAKE, his employer, and they were the parents of several sons and one daughter.

Ezra HUNTER, son of Captain Elijah and Anna (DRAKE) HUNTER, was born in 1774, died in the spring of 1806, at the early age of thirty-two, leaving a widow and two sons and a daughter. Before her marriage Mrs. HUNTER was Miss THEW and in connection with her father she owned many thousands of acres of land bordering THEW’s pond, now known as Rockland lake. Her two sons, Abraham T. and William A., were both graduated at medical colleges and attained considerable eminence in their chosen calling.

Abraham T. HUNTER, son of Ezra and _____ (THEW) HUNTER, was born in Sing Sing, New York, died of cholera in 1849. After acquiring a practical education in the schools of the neighborhood, he followed a course of study along the lines of his chosen vocation, medicine, and after receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine began the active practice of his profession, gaining an enviable reputation as the result of his skill and ability. He removed from Sing Sing to New York City, and for many years was a resident of St. John’s Square, where he was regarded as a man of influence, promoting the welfare of the community to the best of his ability. He married, October 13, 1825, Adeline M. MORRISON, a native of New York State, daughter of John MORRISON, an Irish refugee, who during the rebellion of 1798 fled to the United States in company with a brother of the martyred Emmett. Children: Elizabeth, wife of Theron H. BUTTERWORTH; John Morrison, deceased; Thew Morrison, deceased; Allen M., of whom further; Catherine Stewart; Thew Hunter; Wilson Augustus, deceased; Susan Morrison; Adeline, wife of Allen S. GIBBS, resides in Marietta, Georgia.

Allen M. HUNTER, son of Dr. Abraham T. and Adeline M. (MORRISON) HUNTER, was born in New York City, March 6, 1832. After completing the common school education in New York City, he attended the preparatory school at West Point for three years. In 1849 he went to California, prospecting for gold, making the voyage around Cape Horn in the barque Griffin, which was purchased by Mr. HUNTER and a number of other young men for that purpose. After a long voyage of six months they landed at San Francisco, which was very different at that time to the prosperous city it is at the present time. Not meeting with the success he anticipated, he returned home at the expiration of one year, making the return trip by way of the isthmus of Panama. He then traveled through the eastern states to some extent, but in 1855 located in Succasunna, New Jersey, where he has since made his home, successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising. He is now retired from active pursuits, enjoying to the full the result of his many years of hard and incessant toil. He is the owner of 147 acres located on the edge of the town of Succasunna, which is now rented, from which he derives a goodly income. He is a Democrat in politics, served in the capacity of delegate to State and county conventions, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served as trustee and steward, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)

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