Jacob Hunter Trust
About Us
The Jacob Hunter Trust was formed October 2, 1991 with the purpose to restore and maintain our family cemeteries and to preserve and distribute information about those related to, and descendants of, Jacob Hunter, the Revolutionary War soldier and his wife Mary “Polly” Dancer Hunter Lee. Since our early founding, research and involvement from family have expanded knowledge of our Hunter line to include all descendants of William Hunter, our immigrant, who settled in Nansemond County, Virginia about 1685. With the state boundary line change in 1728, William’s land is now located in Gates County, North Carolina.
Cemeteries we currently oversee or maintain:
William Hunter Family Cemetery, Established in 1695, Gates County, North Carolina
Theophilus Hunter Cemetery, Established in 1798, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina
The Braxton Lee Cemetery, Established 1796 in Ashland City, Cheatham County, Tennessee. This is where Jacob Hunter, Revolutionary War soldier and namesake for this trust, is buried. Many in our line also descend from Charles Braxton Lee for whom this cemetery is named.
The Jacob Hunter Cemetery, Established in 1838 near White Ash, Williamson County, Illinois. This cemetery was named for the grandson of Jacob Hunter, the Revolutionary War soldier
The Allen Hunter Cemetery, Established in 1849 near Herrin, Williamson County, Illinois
The Dr. Henry Holmes Hunter Cemetery, Est. 1855 in Corapeake (Gates County), North Carolina
In our first year, 16 people donated money to assist the Trust with our first project, to restore the Jacob Hunter Cemetery, repair grave markers, and install a fence and a sign. In 1993 the Trust was asked to care for the Allen Hunter Cemetery southeast of Herrin, IL. This cemetery was named for the Reverend Allen Hunter, a brother to Jacob Hunter and grandson of Jacob Hunter, the Revolutionary War soldier for whom this Trust is named.
In 1999 we began work to locate and record the location of the Braxton Lee Cemetery in Ashland City, TN. This is the location where our great grandfathers Braxton Lee and Jacob Hunter, for whom this Trust is named, were buried. In 2009 we surveyed and recorded the location of this historic cemetery.
In 2018 we began working to save the Theophilus Hunter Cemetery from being moved from the campus on North Carolina State University. We were successful in preserving this cemetery and obtaining a commitment from the university for ongoing maintenance.
In 2019 we discovered the original Hunter family cemetery in America, the William Hunter Cemetery, located on William Hunter’s original land patent near Sunbury, North Carolina.
In addition to restoring and maintaining family burial grounds, the Trust began publishing the Jacob Hunter Trust Newsletter. This served as a vehicle for distributing information about family history, providing revenue and expense detail, and recruiting support for the work of the Trust.
With the sacrifice and support of many, the Jacob Hunter Trust achieved multiple accomplishments:
- Restored the Jacob Hunter Cemetery, installed a new fence, created and installed a sign, repaired broken grave markers, and purchased new headstones for those that had eroded.
- Renovated the Allen Hunter Cemetery, created and installed a new sign, installed a new decorative fence and a new wire fence around the sides and back of the property, and re-engraved and repaired several headstones.
- Mowed and maintained the Jacob and Allen Hunter cemeteries in a way that our ancestors deserve.
- Regularly trimmed branches and fallen limbs and other debris that collects in the cemeteries.
- On May 8, 2009 an inland hurricane hit southern Illinois and caused extensive damage. Many trees were broken and fallen in both the Jacob Hunter Cemetery and the Allen Hunter Cemetery. It cost the Trust $ 3,300 to remove the broken and fallen trees and remaining trees were trimmed of large broken branches. Three sections of the decorative fence at the Allen Hunter Cemetery were destroyed and the bid to have the fence repaired was $ 2,438.00. Given that expense, Tom Hunter and Rich Hunter decided to order replacement parts and repair the fence for a cost of around $ 500.00.
- Published and distributed the Jacob Hunter Trust Newsletter annually that is now widely cited on historical and genealogical websites.
- Negotiated the purchase of Emmanuel Hunter’s log home that he built in 1818 and donated it to John A. Logan Community College in Carterville, IL. This historic home will be part of a large historical display being funded by the Harrison-Bruce Foundation at Logan College.
- Located the site where Jacob Hunter, Mary “Polly” Dancer Hunter Lee, Braxton Lee, and Elizabeth Ann Hatcher Lee are buried and are in the process of having the cemetery legally recognized and marked.
- In 2018 worked with a dedicated team of relatives to protect the Theophilus Hunter Cemetery in Raleigh from being moved.
- In 2019 surveyed the Theophilus Hunter Cemetery to locate additional graves that were unmarked.
- In 2019 discovered the original William Hunter Family Cemetery near Sunbury, North Carolina, counted the number of graves in two plots, and began supporting maintenance efforts.
- In 2021 we discovered the Dr. Henry Holmes Hunter Cemetery near Sunbury, NC and began major renovation efforts.
The work of the Jacob Hunter Trust and the articles we develop for the Newsletter carry forward the dedicated work of many who have contributed thousands of hours and dollars to uncover and preserve our rich family heritage. Our research and publications share and honor the contributions of people such as Clyde H. Hunter, Belva Hunter Hall, Pauline Mason, Lawrence and Lettie Hunter, Ernest E. Hunt IV, R. David Lee, Thomas E. Hunter, Raymond Hunter, William T. Cross, Still Hunter Jr., Surry P. Roberts, MD, and others.
We look forward to recruiting a new generation of people interested in advancing the work of the Trust through historical research, volunteering for various projects, assisting in the maintenance of our family cemeteries, and providing financial support.
Richard H. Hunter, Trustee
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