Philip Hunton 2
John Hunton 3

Or move to one of the index pages at the top, or to:

Home Page

 19      THE HUNTON FAMILY

Philip Hunton; the ancestor of all of that name in New England, came to this country when a boy. Traditions in regard to the place from which he came vary. One is, that upon the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, a family bearing the name of Hunton fled from France and sought refuge in the island of Jersey, whence Philip came to America. Another tradition, of less authenticity, is, that he was the younger son of an English gentleman, and feeling deeply wronged at the manner in which his father’s property was divided, resolved to seek his fortune in America.

Upon his arrival in this country, he was employed by a man at Exeter, N. H., named Hall. With the daughter of this man he fell in love, and subsequently married her.

20     THE HUNTON FAMILY

The first mention we find of Philip is his name attached to "The humble Addresse of the inhabitants and train solders of ye Province of New Hampshire (Feb 20,1689.) to the Hon^ab1e the Governour and Council of their Maj^ts Colony of the Matthathusets in New England," setting forth that they were destitute of power sufficient to put themselves in a capacity of defence against the common enemy, and praying that protection may be afforded them as formerly.

On Feb. 21, 1697, the town of Exeter granted to "phillip huntune thirty acres of land joining to a piece of swamp, had formerly." Another grant is found on March 6, 1699. On June 12, 1702, Philip deeded a portion of this land. Philip left Exeter about 1703, and settled in Kingston, N.H. where in 1707 he, with others, deserted the town on account of danger from the Indians. The other inhabitants being much weakened thereby, it was ordered: "That Mr. Secretary Story write to the Captains of Exeter and Hampton, that they forthwith direct the persons aforesaid to return to their former habitations in Kingstown for the strengthening of the place against the common enemy, and in case they shall refuse so to do, the said captains are hereby ordered that when they send soldiers to her majesty’s fort, William and Mary, that the above persons be the first that shall be sent there." They undoubtedly refused to return, and subsequent events proved that Philip, at least, had some cause for his fear; however, it was ordered "that Mr. Justice Dudley send for the said persons, and if they do not return to their settlements in Kingstown, that he bind them over the next quarter sessions and answer their contempt."

In 1708, Philip was again at home in Kingston, for he deeds the land he bought of Lieutenant John Foulsam on the north division of" Pickpocket Path."

On the morning of July 22, 1710, while Philip and his eldest son Samuel were ploughing in the field, not far from his house, they were surrounded by a band of Indians who fired upon them. Samuel fell mortally wounded. Philip and a neighbor named Jacob Gilman were taken prisoners, and suffered terrible indignities and cruelties from their inhuman captors. They were

21    THE HUNTON FAMILY

not only obliged to "run the gauntlet," but were tormented by many ingenious cruelties; the Indians would split their toe-nails and then pull them out with their teeth. Finally, after long marches, with food scarcely sufficient to sustain their exhausted natures, their feet bruised and bleeding, they arrived in Canada, and were sold as prisoners of war to the French. They were informed if they would build a saw-mill for the government and teach the French to saw lumber after the English method, they should have their freedom. They joyfully accepted such easy terms, erected the mill, instructed the French, and regained their freedom, although it is said the French never could make the mill run. This mill is said to have been the first for sawing lumber ever erected - in Canada. Tradition says that Philip remained in Canada about two years before he again saw his home.

In 1719, Phillop Hunton, Senior, in consideration of good will and affection gives to his son John Huntoon, "bachaler, one-half of the land which belongs to the dwelling-house in which he lives, and the new frame of a house about four rods from the old one; " he further gives him all his share of "Trickling Falls" mill-pond, and his part and privilege of "Little River Mill," and John agrees to give his father four thousand of boards a year during his life. To his son Philip he gives, in 1729, "one-half of all my estate, and the other after my own and my wife’s death; also fifty acres in the two hundred acre grant be longing to the original right of Philip Hunton Senior," and to his daughter Sarah, who married Darby Kelly, fifty acres.

The records say he married Betsey Hall of Exeter; she must have died before he removed to Kingston, for the Kingston records show, Sarah born in 1703 as the daughter of Philip by Hannah; again, "Hannah" relinquished dower in 1702. The name of Hannah heads the list of communicants "at the first gathering of the church at Kingston at the fast before the ordination of Mr. Ward Clark, Sept. 17, 1725." That she was a woman of deep religious nature would appear from the tradition that she called back from the field her two boys to say their morning hymn and Catechism on that eventful day when her

 22     THE HUNTON FAMILY

husband was carried into captivity, and from the fact that her pastor says of her, "Died, Dec. 22, 1741, Hannah, wife of Philip Hunton, in a very composed and comfortable manner, after a long life of piety and virtue." Of his eldest Son, Samuel, Belknap, in his "History of New Hampshire" says: "The same day that Colonel Hilton was killed, a company of Indians, who had pretended friendship, who the year before had been peace ably conversant with the inhabitants of Kingston, and seemed to be thirsty after the blood of the enemy, came into the town, and, ambushing the road, killed Samuel Winslow and Samuel Huntoon." This occurred on Kingston Plain, not far from Philip’s home. Samuel was scalped and left by the Indians for dead; he, however, survived in great agony for twenty-four hours, when he died. The father, as has been stated, was taken prisoner. The two younger sons, Philip and John, were saved from capture, possibly death, by a singular and almost miraculous providence. They started to follow their father and brother into the ploughing field, but were recalled by their mother to repeat to her, as was their custom, their morning prayer and hymn. They returned, as directed, and this incident probably saved their lives.

        i      Samuel, b. ab. 1689; d. July 23, 1710.   (killed by Indians)

2     ii      Philip.

3    iii      John.

      iv      Sarah, b. April 21, 1703; d. May 15, 1703.

      v       Elizabeth, m., Dec. 2, 1725, Deacon Joseph, son of Gershom Elkins.

      vi      Sarah, m. Darby Kelly, Jan. 1. 1729.