A Biography of James Hunt of Ulster County, New York from Ulster, New York Commemorative Biographical Record, p. 185,6, Published 1896 (FHC #0934853) Submitted By Alan Malz James Hunt, who was one of Ulster county's valued citizens and leading farmers, was born June 8, 1782, in Pawling, Dutchess county, New York. The Hunt family was founded in America by three brothers, natives of England, who crossed the Atlantic in early colonial days and located at Huntspoint, N.Y., where they married and reared families. There occurred the birth of the grandfather of our subject, William Hunt. He married and located in Dutchess county, where on July 1, 1741, was born Daniel Hunt, father of our subject. Farm work was familiar to him from early boyhood, as he assisted in the cultivation of the old homestead. On March 3, 1767, he wedded Mary Burch, who was born in Dutchess county, December 26, 1749, and was also of English lineage, her ancestors being numbered among the first settlers of the Empire State. On their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hunt located on a farm in Dutchess county, and to them were born seventeen children, as follows: Abigail, November 25, 1768; Sibyl, February 1, 1770; Anna, June 4, 1771; Mary, August 20, 1772; Charles, March 20, 1774; Sybil, May 29, 1775; Lucia, December 19, 1777; Daniel, September 20, 1779; William, July 5, 1780; James, June 8, 1782; Deborah, September 22, 1783; Thomas, August 4, 1785; Martha, December 7, 1786; Stephen, September 20, 1788; Daniel, October 20, 1790; John, October 25, 1792; and Jane, October 18, 1796. Two of these died in infancy. The father of this family died August 11, 1811, and the mother passed away August 18, 1840. They lived for some time in Dutchess county, and subsequently to Ulster county, passing their days in Plattekill township. The Hunt residence in Orange county was frequently visited by Gen. Washington and his staff during the Revolutionary war, the army being camped very near the old home place. As a token of respect and appreciation for her hospitality the General presented Mrs. Hunt with a mahogany box, with little drawers filled with tea. This box is now in the possession of Mrs. Hunt's descendants. James Hunt was a youth of fourteen when his parents came to this county, and was reared on the farm which is now in the possession of his daughter. Having arrived at man's estate he married Miss Phoebe A. Crawford, of Ridgefield, Conn., the wedding being celebrated February 13, 1820. Mrs. Hunt was born March 12, 1800, daughter of James Lewis Crawford, who was born and reared in Dutchess county, and was descended from Scotch ancestry; he married Miss Keeler, a lady of Welsh extraction. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt located on a farm in Plattekill township, where they reared a family of five children, one of whom died in infancy; Mary, born December 1, 1820, became the wife of John H. Bond, a farmer; Esther Ann, born August 25, 1822, married Daniel Deyo Du Bois, a farmer, and passed away February 9, 1854; James, born June 17, 1827, died June 6, 1877; Phoebe Maria, born October 31, 1835, is the only one now living. Throughout his life, James Hunt, the subject of this review, carried on agricultural pursuits, and was the owner of 244 acres of land, 180 acres being included in the original farm. He was successful in his business dealings and was an industrious, energetic man, honorable in all things, thus winning the confidence and high regard of all who knew him. Both he and his wife were faithful and consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, and did their share toward its support. Mr. Hunt was called to his final rest August 5, 1847, and his wife passed away January 3, 1879. They were numbered among the most prominent people of the community, esteemed by all who knew them Miss Hunt is still living on the old homestead and is very comfortably situated in life, being the owner of 234 acresw of valuable land, which is being operated on shares.