Richard Hunt (bef. 1608 - bef. 1687)

Born before 9 Oct 1608 in Mereworth, Kent,England

Ancestors

Husband of Frances (Grimsditch) Hunt — married 28 Mar 1643 in St Margarets, Lee, Kent, England.

Descendants

Died before May 1687 at about age 78 in Bermuda

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Patrick Thompson [send private message]

Biography

Richard Hunt was an early or significant Bermudan.

Richard Hunt was christened on October 9, 1608.^[1]

"Sir Nathaniel Rich had a sister named Jane, who married Thomas Grinsditch of Haselmere in Surrey, England. Thomas and Jane Grinsditch, the aforesaid sister of Nathaniel Rich, had a daughter named Frances who married Mr. Richard Hunt, merchant in London [who came to Bermuda in 1635 and located on one of the shares of land, before mentioned, near Port Royal Church, which had been granted to Nathaniel Rich and bequeathed to them by his will. --A.W.S.] The said Richard Hunt and Frances his wife had a son Richard and two daughters: Judith married Henry Durham and Sarah married Thomas Gibbs."^[2]

Marriage

Richard Hunt and Frances Grimsditch were married March 28, 1643, in St. Margaret's, Lee, Kent, England.^[3]

In her reference to Richard Hunt's will, Julia Mercer, in her book, "Bermuda Settlers of the 17th Century," p. 96, includes the phrase "Wife FRANCES (nee Vesey)." This is almost certainly an error, as no evidence has been presented for Richard's having married a wife named Frances who was born a Vesey. Considerable proof exists for wife Frances Grimsditch, through whom the family inherited part of her uncle, Sir Nathaniel Rich's, lands. The confusion may have arisen because Frances Hunt, daughterof Richard Hunt and Frances Grimsditch, married Thomas Vesey in 1681/82 in Bermuda. This couple, in turn, had a son named Francis Vesey. (Bermuda GenWeb, Descendants of Richard Rich.) http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~bmuwgw/richgen.htm

Coming to Bermuda

The website Bermuda's History states that, "1647. Richard Hunt and his wife Sarah, of Bromley, Kent, England, arrived in the Bermuda Islands and took possession of the estates, etc. of the then Earl of Manchester in those islands in which he was one of the proprietors. Sarah Hunt was one of the nieces of the Earl. He had devised by his last will his landed property in the Bermudas in trust to the Earl of Warwick, Lord Holland and Sir Nathanial Rich, his executors, for the benefit of one of his nieces deemed the most worthy. Richard and Sarah Hunt brought with them a daughter, also named Sarah."^[4] This repeats some of the inaccuracies found in Mercers book, Bermuda Settlers of the 17th Century: Genealogical Notes from Bermuda. Mercer names Richard's Wife and first child as Sarah.^[5]

Not Governor of Bermuda

Richard Hunt's daughter Judith married Henry Durham who became (acting) Governor of Bermuda in 1682.^[6] This may explain the connection to the Governor rather than Richard Hunt being the governor. Seems this lore of Richard being the governor of Bermuda has propagated across the internet citing Mercers work - nowhere in Mercer's work does she state that Richard Hunt is the governor of Bermuda. The interest in Bermuda was based on his wife's inheritance not on him.

His land is described in a survey as being lands inherited by his with Frances from Sir Nathaniel Rich.^[7][8]

Rich Inheritance

Occupation - Shipping

One source states Richard Hunt was involved in shipping enterprises. According to "Memorials of the Discovery and Early Settlement of the Bermudas 1611-1687" by J. H. Lefroy, Richard Hunt was a member of the governor's assembly in 1662. Mercer also recounts the Sheriff inspecting a boat which belonged to Richard Hunt where he found Whale Oil.

Rebellious Times

Richard Hunt seems to have spent a bit of time getting into trouble on the Island and even spent time in Jail, "at the Governors House meeting of the councill 22 Oct 1647: "It was ordered that Mr Hunt be committed duringe the Governors pleasure for presenting at Capt Jennyns with a charged pistoll." He is in trouble again, "One Hunt was summoned August 1649 before the Council for treasonable speeches against the kinge the parliament and the Govrnor". He was censured, ordered to stand one hour at the pillary with a paper writt in capitall letters for scandalous words against the Gov and thence to prison untill he gives baile to the good behaviour. He refused and was ordered lye in Irons until he shall willingly submitt."^[9] Further reading on Richard Hunt from this book: Vol 2, p. 95, p. 720.

In 1683 Richard deeded a house and 1/2 share of land in Southampton to his son-in-law, John Wethersby, who married his youngest daughter Martha, possibly they took care of him in his old age.^{[citation needed]}

In Hunt Family History

"The founder of the family on this side the Atlantic was Richard Hunt of Bromley, a town near London in Kent County, England. He was a merchant of London and a member of the Bermuda Company. He married Frances Grimsditch, the daughter of Thomas Grimsditch and Jane Rich, the latter a sister of Sir Nathaniel Rich. The Riches were close relations of the two noble houses of Warwick and Manchester. In the Earl of Manchester's work called 'Court and Society from Elizabeth to Anne' I find little Frances Grimsditch described (Vol. I, page 345) by an aunt, Lady Wrothe, as 'a pretty and toward young child.'

"Richard Hunt and his wife came to the Summer Islands, or Bermuda, in or about 1644, to take possession of six shares of land inherited by Mrs. Hunt from her uncle, Sir Nathaniel Rich. This land had not been bequeathed specifically to Mrs. Hunt, but her uncle left it in trust to his relative, the Earl of Manchester, to be bestowed by the latter upon that one of Sir Nathaniel's nieces whom the Earl might consider 'most worthy.' In this way the land was given to the pretty mistress Ffrances Grimsditch (her name spelled with the double F in a deed which lies before me) by Manchester. She seems to have been a child of some consequence, for our grandfather, Thomas Hunt, has left on record the fact that she was a god-daughter of Queen Elizabeth. [Probably an error.] Tradition says that she lived to be ninety-nine years old.

"Richard Hunt and his wife brought over with them to Bermuda an infant daughter named Judith, and they had other children later. Judith married in 1660 Henry Durham.... The property of Richard and Frances Hunt is several times mentioned in Lefroy's memorials of Bermuda. It amounted to one hundred and twenty-two acres. I have a copy of the deed of gift by which it was transferred to one of their daughters named Sarah, who married a Mr. Thomas Gibbs. Richard Hunt was a member of the Assembly in Bermuda, as appears in Lefroy (Vol. II, page 194). He was also what was called an 'elder of the Southampton Tribe,' the word 'tribe' being equivalent to the word parish, and Island being divided into about six tribes. The position of elder seems to have been ecclesiastical."^[10]

Will

Richard Hunt's will was written in 1683 and proved in 1687. The will of his son Richard Hunt was proved in 1690.^[11]

In the name of God, Amen, I Richard Hunt ___ Southampton in the Somer Islands als. Bermudas being sick in body but of perfect memory and understanding, doe make and ordain this to be my last will and testament. And I doe revoke, renounce, and make void all former wills by me made, either verball or written. And first off remitt my soul unto the hands of Almighty God my maker, believing that through Jesus Christ my redeemer I shall partake of a glorious resurrection with the saints. And my body I committ unto the earth to bee decently buried in Southampton churchyard as neere unto my children and wife as __ may bee. And for my wordly estate after my funerall charges and just debts are payed, I doe dispose of in manner and form as followeth.

I give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife Frances Hunt all my legacie duringe her naturall life, further willing and requiring that my said wife Frances shall not give, sell, nor dispose of any manner of ways, such lands, goods, and servants and chatills what she shall receive at my death unless she doth make it good unto the estate acquired. And if in case my wife marry that before her marriage security shall bee given to my executors to make good my personall estate for my children , and furthermore that my aforesaid wife shall not dispose of by any manner of ways or means my timber or timber trees, that is standing and or lyinge upon my lands excepting furbish houses which are now upon this land or buildings for tobacco houses she shall build for ____.

All my sonns in law, together with my own son Richard having alloed my said legacies by goods of gift payed to each and every of remembered hand and seal. My two other sonns namely Nathaniell and John Hunt only ___ whereof my will is that all the rest of my land which is yet undivided of by deeds or gift aforesaid, bee equally divided betweene my aforesaid son Nathaniell Hunt and John Hunt . To say the Ma____ house and the equall proportion of land wherever it stands of to my sonn Nathaniell Hunt duringe his own and his wife Angelina their own naturall lives. The other equall proportion to my sonn John Hunt for his own and his wife's naturall life __ ___, after the death of my said wife, sonns Nathaniell and John Hunt and their wifes to __ and each of three Negros forever.

I doe give and bequeath after the death of my aforesaid wife all houses, all servants, goods, and whatelse that I now have or whatever else __ now of equity that I now have that shall bee holdong at my aforesaid wife's death (my Negros Mary, Anthony excepted who shall be so freed at the expiration of six months way after my aforesaid wife's death) unto my first sonn Nathaniell and the said sonn John Hunt estate going first __ ___ fashion ot of the proffit or vallue of the said servants, goods, and shall be, by my said son Richard Hunt, as shall make good and satisfying legacies to all such of my grandchildren which are now livinge as have ___. And I do freely give unto each and every said child the sum of twenty shillings if they live to the age of twenty one years and then to bee gradually paid by my said son Richard. And then immediately after for education as aforesaid the said servants, goods and chattells or the value proof of shall be equally shared amongst my aforesaid three sons.

I give, will and bequeath unto my very loving and truly friend Capt. Thomas Richards twenty four shillings in money to buy himself a ring to wear in remembrance of me, and as a token of my naturall love unto him, who also to go aforesaid to my sonn Richard Hunt. I do constitute and appoint to be my executors to and joyntly or severally as needs shall require. And my son in law Mr Henry Durham to bee surveyor of this my last will and testament. And in confirmation that this is my last and testament I have hereunto put my hand and seal this two and twentieth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred eighty and three. Sealed and delivered in presence of Thomas Gibbs ______

May 31st 1687 Hon. Robert Robinson the governor and Ordinary ______ and Mr Thomas Gibbs made oath that the above will and testament..... ^[12]

Sources

1. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch ([1] : accessed 14 September 2015), Rychard Hunt, 09 Oct 1608; citing MEREWORTH,KENT,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 992,510.
2. ↑ Extract from a paper written by Copeland Stiles of Bermuda, dated 21 Oct. 1789, quoted in The Stiles Family in America by H. R. Stiles (1895), p. 662 footnote.
3. ↑ "England Marriages, 1538–1973 ," database, FamilySearch ([2] : accessed 14 September 2015), Richard Hunt and Frances Grimsditch, 28 Mar 1643; citing Saint Margaret,Lee,Kent,England, reference ; FHL microfilm 942.23 L2 B22 LE.
4. ↑ Bermuda's History from 1500 to 1699, How it is linked to events in Europe, the United States of America, United Kingdom and Canadaa, By Keith Archibald Forbes.[3]
5. ↑ Bermuda Settlers of the 17th Century: Genealogical Notes from Bermuda, p.95, Julia E. Mercer, Genealogical Publishing Com, 1942.[4]
6. ↑ Bermuda Settlers of the 17th Century: Genealogical Notes from Bermuda, p.95, Julia E. Mercer, Genealogical Publishing Com, 1942.[5]
7. ↑ Memorials of the discovery and early settlement of the Bermudas or Somers Islands, 1515-1685, p.702, Appendix XV, Vol 2.[6]
8. ↑ Memorials of the Discovery and Early Settlement of the Bermudas Or Somers Islands, 1515-1685, Volume 2, p. 594, Appendix VII, By Sir John Henry Lefroy, Longmans, Green, and Company, 1879.
9. ↑ Memorials of the discovery and early settlement of the Bermudas or Somers Islands, 1515-1685 [i.e. 1511-1687] by Lefroy, J. H. (John Henry), Sir, 1817-1890, Vol I, p. 632 & p. 652, Published 1877
10. ↑ An account of the Hunt ancestry by Ridgely and Livingston Hunt, published in The Life of William W. Hunt by Thomas Hunt (1922), pp. 22-23.
11. ↑ Bermuda Settlers of the 17th Century: Genealogical Notes from Bermuda, p.96, Julia E. Mercer, Genealogical Publishing Com, 1942.[7]
12. ↑ Hunt, Richard. 22 Feb 1683, proved 31 May 1687.Southampton, Bermuda. Port Royal Will Book 3, part 1, page 1

See Also:

• Memorials of the Discovery and Early Settlement of the Bermudas 1611-1687" by J. H. Lefroy.[8]

Acknowledgements

• WikiTree profile Hunt-2528 created through the import of Thompson Family 001_2011-11-30.ged on Dec 1, 2011 by Patrick Thompson.

• WikiTree profile Hunt-1573 created through the import of Rhodes 2011_2011-07-09_01_01.ged on Jul 9, 2011 by Tom Rhodes.

• WikiTree profile Hunt-1136 created through the import of Murdock _ WarrenFamilies.ged on May 29, 2011 by Jerry Murdock.

• WikiTree profile Hunt-1283 created through the import of FISCUS Family Tree.ged on Jun 6, 2011 by Liisa Small.

• WikiTree profile Hunt-1145 created through the import of Paula's family 5-28-2011.GED on May 29, 2011 by Paula Marksman.

Research Notes

• "HENRY4 DURHAM...married JUDITH HUNT February 14, 1659/60 in Port Royal, Southampton, Bermuda, daughter of RICHARD HUNT and FRANCES GRIMSDITCH. She was born Abt. 1639 in of, Bromley, Kent, England".[9]

• "Will of ABRAHAM ADDERLEY, Southampton 1688 (Book 3. a., p. 85). To wife TABITHA land leased by Richard Hunt and his wife Frances to Capt. Thomas Butler & by him leased to ADDERLEY." Bermuda Settlers of the 17th Century: Genealogical Notes from Bermuda, p.85, Julia E. Mercer, Genealogical Publishing Com, 1942.[10]

• Inventory of estate of Capt. RICHARD HARBERT, lately dec'd, August 25, 1664, taken before Capt GEORGE HUBBARD, Councillor of Devonshire Tribe. To ROBERT BURTON & R. HUNT £4.9.0[11]

• Families of Burlington Co., NJ (plus many others) 2012-03-13 by Bill Abrams. This has the misquote from Mercer about Richard Hunt being The Gov., but otherwise has lots of good information.