Jacob Hunter Trust

Grave Listing of the Theophilus Hunter Cemetery

Report of Known Burials and Suspected Burials at the Theophilus Hunter Cemetery in Raleigh, NC
By Belle Long

HUNTER BURIAL DOCUMENTATION

The best-known burial at Spring Hill’s Hunter family cemetery is that of Theophilus Hunter, Sr. who died between April (when his will was written) and December (when his will was probated in the Wake County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions) in 1798. His is the only marked grave at the site.

Since the last Hunter owner of Spring Hill, Emma Eugenia Hunter, died in 1863 without a will, the Equity Court in the name of Robert Lewis sold the property at auction to William High on 14 July, 1864 (Wake County Deed Book 24 page 411).

Therefore, burials would have taken place at least as early as 1798 (and possibly earlier) and as late as 1864. We have compared the lists of those buried at Oakwood Cemetery, City Cemetery, and Raleigh National Cemetery and on Find-a-Grave.com at Oakwood Cemetery in Louisburg with the members of the family tree. Family members interred at either of those four cemeteries are not listed as possible burials at Spring Hill. Therefore, this report has three parts:

1. those believed to be buried at Spring Hill, “the family burying ground” totaling 26 named individuals, including 2 with strong evidence of burial at Spring Hill.
2. those believed to be buried elsewhere, totaling 23 named individuals,
3. those confirmed to be buried elsewhere, totaling 17.

This research has striven to locate the death dates and locations of all known Theophilus Hunter descendants and their spouses who died by 1864 in the Raleigh or Wake County area and who therefore are likely to be buried at the Hunter family cemetery at Spring Hill. Primary source documents, those written at the time these people were living, are used almost exclusively. They are considered by historians and genealogists to be far more reliable than secondary sources.

As research continues and more facts are discovered, names may be switched from one list to the other.

We have been able to fully document two burials at Spring Hill in addition to that of Theophilus Hunter, Sr. Another three individuals died at Spring Hill and are therefore very likely to be buried there.

The two documented and unmarked graves at Hunter Cemetery at Spring Hill on NCSU’s campus:

1. William H. Hunter (son of Theophilus Hunter, Jr. and grandson of Theophilus Hunter, Sr. who died in 1798). William H. was born in 1800 and died 9 Nov 1829 at age 29. His obituary states that he was buried “in the family burying ground.” Below are Minutes of the Masonic Lodge of which William H. Hunter was a member from Minute Book of Hiram 40, 1826-1845 and his obituary from the Raleigh Register. Both documents state that he was buried in the family burial ground, which was at Spring Hill.

Below are minutes of the Masonic Lodge describing the funeral and burial of William H. Hunter from Minute Book of Hiram 40, 1826-1845 (not paginated):

Transcript of minutes of the funeral of William H. Hunter from the Minute Book of Hiram 40, 1826-1845:

Tuesday, Nov. 10, [1829], AL 5829

The Lodge convened this morning at the call of the Master.

[Roll Call]

The craft was called to Labor and a Master Masons Lodge opened.

The worshipful master informed the Brethren that they were

called together for the purpose of paying the last respects to

the remains of our worthy and respected Brother Wm. H. Hunter,

late master of the lodge.

The usual ceremony being performed in the Lodge,

a procession was formed and marched to the late residence

of Bro. Hunter from thence the body was taken, accompanied

by the brethren, to the Methodist church, where a funeral

sermon was delivered by R.W. & Rev’d Thomas P. Hunt, after

which a procession was formed and moved to the residence

of our Brother Theophilus Hunter, and in the family

Burial ground resigned to its (mother?) dust the mortal

remains of our Brother, with the accustomed ceremonies

and solemnities. The craft then retired into the house of Bro Theos.

Hunter, and were called from labor to refreshments

until Wednesday evening.

J G Thomas, Secy

Obituary from the Raleigh Register of 12 Nov 1829 P 3 for William H. Hunter, whose remains were “carried to the family burying ground, and interred with masonic honors.”

2. Theophilus Hunter, Jr. (son of Theophilus Hunter, Sr.) was born in 1767 (from obit) and died 11 Nov 1840 (obit). His will specified he be “interred in my burying ground.” Masonic lodge minutes state that he was “interred at his residence.”

Below: Minutes of the Hiram 40 Masonic Lodge from 18 Nov 1840 – Monday evening special meeting concerning Theophilus Hunter, Jr.’s death from Minute Book of Hiram 40, 1826-1845 (not paginated):

Transcript of minutes from Hiram 40 Masonic Lodge:

The craft were called from refreshment to labor

in due form, this lodge having been assembl’d

for the purpose, agreeably to his last request, of paying

the last sad offices to our worthy & lamented brother Captn.

Theophilus Hunter, who departed this life on

Wednesday 17^th Inst., A procession was accordingly

form’d, when the Brethren repair’d to his

late residence where he was interr’d with

masonic honors.  On motion of Bro. Cl…D.

Hutchins – Resolv’d, That the members

of this Lodge wear Crape on the left arm

for the term of 30 days as a badge of mourning, and

token of respect for the memory of their deceas’d

brother.  No further matters being introduc’d

for the good of Masonry, this Lodge clos’d after

the ancient rites.

WA Harrison, WM

R L Messuresr (?), Sec

Theophilus Hunter, Jr. obituary from the Raleigh Weekly Standard, 25 Nov. 1840:

Beginning of the record of Theophilus Hunter Jr.’s will in Wake County Record Book 24 p 427 written on 21 May 1839 in which he requests to be buried “in my burying ground”:

Transcript of Beginning of Will of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., 21 May 1839

427

I, Theophilus Hunter of the County of Wake in the State of North

Carolina do make and publish this my last Will and Testament

hereby revoking and making void all former Wills by me

at [any] time heretofore made, I direct that my body be decently interred in my

burying ground and that my funeral be conducted in a manner corresponding

with my estate and situation in life.

The three people who are very likely buried at Spring Hill because they died there:

3. The Rev. William S Johnson, husband of Theophilus Jr.’s daughter, Jane S. Hunter. Johnson died 20 Sept 1841 “at Spring Hill, his late residence” (obit). His will specified that he be buried according to his wife’s desires. He was married to Jane S. Hunter, daughter of Theophilus Hunter, Jr. and granddaughter of Theophilus Hunter, Sr. He was pastor of Edenton Street Methodist Church from Dec. 1840 until his death, just a few months. The church historian has no record of his burial place.

The Rev. Johnson had moved to Raleigh from Virginia to be pastor at Edenton Street and had no other known family in Raleigh.

Obituary:

He wrote his will on 22 Mar 1841, which is recorded in Wake County Record Book 24 p. 527. He stated that he was in poor health and requested that his “body be decently interred in such place as my wife may desire.” It was not customary nor was it practical at this time to move a body to another state for burial, so it is a very likely conclusion that he was buried at Spring Hill where he died.

Transcript of the portion of William S. Johnson’s will:

In the name of God Almighty, I William S. Johnson of the City of Raleigh

being in a  very weak and low state of health and conscious of the

uncertainty of life, but in a sound and disposing mind and memory

do make publish and declare this as my last will & Testament hereby

revoking all former wills by me at any time heretofore made. And first

I direct that my body be decently interred in such place as my wife may

desire according to the rites and ceremonies of the Methodist Episcopal

Church. And as to such wordly goods as it has pleased God to entrust…

Other information about Johnson comes from page 76 of Early Methodist Meeting Houses by C. Franklin Grill:

4. William Green, Martha Green’s father, died at Spring Hill on 12 Dec. 1823. He was very likely buried at Spring Hill since he died there. (Sources: Susan Iden in the Raleigh Times on 23 Oct 1925 and Obit, below). His obit from the North Carolina Star of 19 Dec. 1823:

From the Raleigh Times, 23 Oct 1925 “Spring Hill Now Center State Epileptic Colony,” by Susan Iden:

5. John Haywood Hunter (son of Theophilus Hunter, Jr.) was born in 1807 and died 10 Nov 1826 at age 19 (obit) at his father’s house, Spring Hill, so he was very likely buried there.

Obituary of John Haywood Hunter from NC Star of 10 Nov 1826:

The remaining names on the list of those possibly buried at Spring Hill are less well documented as to their place of burial, but they fit the criteria laid out above: They are direct descendants or spouses of descendants of Theophilus Hunter, Sr., are not listed as buried at Oakwood or City or Raleigh National Cemeteries, and they died in Raleigh by 1864.

6. Faith Rogers, Theophilus Hunter, Sr.’s 1st wife, died before 1765 (c. 1739-1765?). We have found no documentary evidence to support this burial, but family tradition states that Hunter’s first wife was Faith Rogers. Whatever her name, we know she was deceased by 1765, the date of the earliest document that names Theophilus Sr.’s wife as Jane, his second wife. (See below.)
7. Jane Smith Williams, Theophilus Hunter, Sr.’s 2nd wife. They married between Jan 1761 and March 1765. (She 1^st married Joel Williams; Joel died by Jan 1761.) She died after April 1798 since she is named in Theophilus Sr.’s will which he wrote in April 1798.

The record of Joel Williams’s will (Jane’s first husband) was probated in Johnston County in Jan. 1761 which means he had died by that date. See below, Joel Williams’s will probated in January Court 1761:

The first date we know that Jane Smith Williams and Theophilus Hunter, Sr. were married is on the deed below dated 27 Mar 1765 from Johnston County Deed Bk Tr-1 p 338.

Another deed (below) indicates that Jane Hunter was formerly Jane Williams, married to Joel Williams. Apparently, Joel Williams’s will was not clear in indicating that Joel wanted his wife Jane Williams to have his land and plantation in fee simple, not just for her life.  Joel’s son Isaac in this deed sold to his mother, now Jane Hunter, and her husband, Theophilus Hunter [Sr.], the land in fee simple. This deed is from Johnston County Deed Book X-1 p 185, dated 5 May 1797, below.

Theophilus Sr.’s will names his wife, Jane, so we know she died after his will was written in April 1798. We have been unable to find a record of her date of death.

Transcript of excerpt from Theophilus Hunter, Sr.’s will:

In the name of God Amen! I Theophilus Hunter of the County of Wake

and State of North Carolina, being of sound and perfect mind and memory

and calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing it is appointed for

all Men to die do make order and publish this, to be my last Will and

Testament, hereby revoking and making void all Wills by me heretofore made

First, I give and recommend my soul to God my Creator, my body to be decently

buried at the direction of my Executors, and as to the wordly Estate it hath

pleased God to bless me with, after my just debts are paid, I give, devise and

dispose of it in manner and form following, that is to say,

Imprimis. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Jane one negroe wench…

Below is from Wake County Record Book 4 p 258. It states that Theophilus, Hunter Sr.’s will was probated in Dec 1798, so he died before that date.

Transcript of Probate record of Theophilus Hunter, Sr.’s will:

Wake County         December Sessions 1798

The within last Will and Testament

was duly proved in open Court by the Oaths of Solo-

mon P Goorich Esquire and Sterling Wheaton Sub-

scribing Witnesses there to, and ordered to be Recorded.

Nath. Lane C[lerk] C[ourt]

8. Isaac Hunter (son of Theophilus Hunter, Sr.) must have died before 1798 at a young age, since he is not in Theophilus Hunter, Sr.’s Will. We have no documentary evidence for this son, but strong and frequent family lore insists that Theophilus, Sr. had a son named Isaac. Death date unknown.

Secondary source: Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, ed. by William S. Powell, “Theophilus Hunter” by Mary Hinton Duke Kerr and Mary Bates Sherwood, 1988

9. Henry (Harry) Hunter, son of Theophilus Hunter, Sr., was born in 1770 and died 24 July 1810 (obit).

Henry (Harry) was a member of the Masonic Lodge Hiram No. 40. Below are the minutes of the gathering of the Masons for his funeral:

:

Transcript of Masonic meeting minutes for Harry Hunter’s funeral:

At a called meeting of Hiram Lodge No. 40

officers and members – with some visiting bre-

thren – covened at Brother Harry Hunters

Dec’d. to pay the last masonic honors to

him as their brother. By special request

The Lodge was formed – on 25^th

July 1810 AD – 5810 AL – Brother Henry

Potter presided Pro Tem.  After the usual

Funeral Ceremonies at the hous[e] and pro-

cession to the grave – And Ceremonies There

Having been gone through – the Lodge returned

to the Room whence it had proceeded

and was there closed in harmony & Peace.

Danl Barringer, Secty.

10. Irene Hunter (daughter of Theophilus Hunter, Sr.) married James Lane, and died 25 July 1818 (obit). Because her father provided for her support and provided property to her children by name, it is likely that her husband had pre-deceased her, and she to some degree was dependent on her father.

Excerpt from Theophilus Hunter, Sr. will providing 10 dollars for his daughter Irene:

Excerpts from the record of Theophilus Hunter, Sr.’s will in Record Book 4 pp 258-263 providing for the children of Irene Lane, his grandchildren:

Transcript of excerpt from Theophilus Hunter, Sr.’s will pertaining to the support of Irene Lane, and her children, his grandchildren:

…Item. I give and bequeath

to my Grand Children by my Daughter Irene

as followeth (to wit) to my Grandson Alfred Lane

three Hundred and fifty Acres of Land being

the upper part of a Tract of Land seven hundred

seven hundred [sic] acres purchased by me of

James Lane lying on Crabtree Creek. Also

to my Grand Daughter Patsey Lane and

Jane Lane I give and bequeath the lower part

of the same Tract of Land to be equally divided

between them, also I give to my Grandson Alfred

Lane three Negroes (to wit) Celey, Cate, and Winny

to my Grand daughter Patsey Lane I give and

bequeath Sylvia, Beckey and Dilla and to my

Grand Daughter Jane Lane I give and bequeath

Rose, Nanny and Violet to them and their Heirs

but the Land and Negroes hereby given to the

three Grand Children, Alfred Lane, Patsey Lane

and Jane Lane shall be in the keeping and

at the disposal of my Executors until my

said Grand Children shall severally come

to lawful age, and shall then be delivered over

to them by my Executors; who shall in no wise

be considered accountable either for the Rents or

for the hire of the same. Item I lend to my

Executors to be employed by them in better sup

porting my daughter Irene during her life

five Negroes viz Davey, Ben, Peg, Judy, and

Sally; which Negroes with their increase, shall

after her death be equally divided between my

Grand Children Alfred Lane, Patsey Lane, and

Jane Lane….

Finally Irene was mentioned a third time in Theophilus Hunter, Sr.’s will. He directed his executors to use five Negroes to better support her during her life, enslaved people who would then revert to her children after her death:

Transcript of excerpt from will of Theophious Hunter, Sr.:

Item. I lend to my Executors to be employed by them in better supporting my

Daughter Irene during her life five Negroes, Vgl [Vergil], Davy, Ben, Reg, Judy

and Sally which Negroes with their increase shall, after her death, be

equally divided between my Grand Children Alfred Lnae, Patsye Lane

and Jane Lane.

The language in the will implies that Irene’s husband, James Lane, predeceased her. Two James Lanes died before Irene: one in 1805 and one in 1807. Note: The Sr. suffix attached to the first James merely indicates that he was the elder of two James Lanes living at the time, not that they were father and son as we use the term today.

Death of James Lane, Sr., from the Raleigh Register of 14 Jan 1805:

,

The other James Lane‘s death was reported in the Raleigh Minerva on 17 Oct., 1807.

Death of Irene Lane on 23 July 1818 from the Raleigh Minerva stating that she was the “relict” or widow of James Lane, Esq.:

There is no record of where Irene Hunter Lane or her husband, James Lane, was buried. It is possible that she was buried in her family’s burying ground.

11. Delilah Hunter (eldest daughter of Theophilus Hunter, Sr.) married James Hinton in 1773 and very likely died before 1798. (In her father, Theophilus Hunter, Sr.’s, will her children received bequests, and she was mentioned as the former wife of James Hinton, deceased. No bequest was made directly to her.) Was she buried at Silent Retreat on Hinton property or with the Hunters at Spring Hill? There is no known record of her burial or death.

The marriage bond dated 6 June 1773 between Delilah Hunter and James Hinton:

Transcript of Marriage Bond between Delilah Hunter and James Hinton:

North Carolina

Wake County              Know all men by these

Presents that we James

Hinton and John Pasteur are held and

firmly bound and held to our Sovereign Lord the

King his heirs and Successors the Penal

Sum of fifty Pounds Proc. Money to which

payment to be well and truly made to our

said Sovereign Lord the King We bend our order

and each of us our & each of our Heirs Extrs

& Ads Jointly Severally and Firmly by There [sic]

Presents Sealed with our Seals and Dated this

Twenty Sixth day of June 1773.

The Condition of the above Obligation is such

that whereas the above bounden James Hinton

hath this day applyed [sic] for & obtained a License

to be joined with Delilah Hunter in the

Estate of Matrimony. Now if therefore there be

No Lawful Cause to obstruct the said marriage

for which the said License was obtained then the

above Obligation to be Void or Elce [sic]To remain in

full force and Virtue

Signed & delivered in presence of                                   James Hinton Seal

John Rice                                                                              John Pasteur Seal

Excerpt from Theophilus Hunter, Sr. will concerning Delilah:

Transcript of portion of Theophilus Hunter Sr.’s will:

Item. I give and bequeath to my Grand Children by my eldest Daughter Delilah,

formerly the Wife of James Hinton deceased, One Hundred pounds Currency to be

equally divided among the five oldest of them, to wit, Polly, Temperance, Henry,

Theophilus and Ransom likewise I give to James, the youngest Child fifty pounds

Currency.

12. Martha Green, Theophilus Hunter, Jr.’s wife, was born c. 1776?, married 17 Oct 1797, & died 27 Nov. 1828 (marriage bond and obit below).

Obit of Martha Green Hunter who died on 27 Nov. 1828 from North Carolina Star of 4 Dec. 1828:

13. Emma/Emily Eugenia Hunter (daughter of Theophilus Hunter, Jr.) was born about 1823 and died 5 Jul 1863, at age about 40 (obit). She was the last Hunter to own Spring Hill.

Emma Hunter’s Obituary from the Weekly Standard of 15 Jul 1863:

Emma died without a will, so the Equity Court in the name of Robert Lewis, sold the property Spring Hill at an auction on 7 July 1864. William High was the top bidder. The deed was recorded in Wake County Deed Book 24, p. 411.

We know that Emma was the last Hunter owner from a deed dated 14 Dec. 1863 in which her cousin’s daughter, Mary Hunter (daughter of William H. Hunter and granddaughter of Theophilus Hunter, Jr. who married Edward I. Mallett), sold her rights to the property in Wake County Deed Book. 24 p 290. The deed reads “land…known as the Spring Hill or Hunter lands, the property of the late E. E. Hunter.” See deed excerpt below:

14. Jane S. Hunter, daughter of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., was born in 1802 (U S Census) or 1812 (obit) and died 4 Jul 1859 (US Mortality Census 1860). She first married in 1839 # 3 on this list, the Rev. William S. Johnson. After Johnson’s death in 1841, she married Samuel H. Young in 1849.

Jane Hunter’s first marriage to William S. Johnson in 1839 from Weekly Standard of 16 Oct 1839:

Jane Hunter’s second marriage to Samuel H. Young took place in 1849, from the Raleigh Register of 25 Aug 1849:

The death of Jane S. Hunter appeared in the Weekly Standard on 13 July 1859:

A longer obituary of Jane S. Hunter appeared in the Raleigh Christian Advocate on 14 July 1859:

Since Jane S. Hunter’s second husband, Samuel H. Young, died long after she did, in May of 1882, she is likely buried at Spring Hill. His burial place is unknown. Samuel H. Young’s obit appeared in the Farmer and Mechanic 10 May 1882:

15. Sarah J. Hunter (daughter of Theophilus Hunter, Jr.) died in 1859 (Will proved Wake Co May 1859). She married Robert Macauley on 8 Nov 1821 at Spring Hill. Her husband had died 1829 in Orange Co. She was listed in her sister Adelaide Hunter Hill’s household in Raleigh in the 1850 census, so she is likely buried at Spring Hill.

Here’s the record of Sarah J. Hunter and Robert Mcauley’s marriage in 1821 from the Raleigh Register:

Here’s the record of Sarah J. Hunter’s husband, Robert McCauley’s death in 1829 from the Raleigh Register:

This is from the U. S. census record of Wake County of 1850 showing Sarah McCauley enumerated in Raleigh at the home of her sister, Adelaide Hunter Hill:

Sarah J. Hunter’s will was proved in Wake County in May 1859, so she died in Wake. Here is the record of the recording of her will:

The US Mortality Census for 1860 shows her death in July 1859 of consumption that she had suffered for 5 years. Here’s the heading for the page in the Mortality Census:

Here’s the entry for Jane S. (Hunter) Young:

16. Mary Green Hunter (oldest daughter of Theophilus Hunter, Jr.) was born c. 1799?, and married on 22 Jul 1818 to Thomas G. Scott; she died 21 Sep 1827 (obit).

Here is her marriage from the Raleigh Register of 24 July 1818.

Mary Green Hunter’s obit from the Raleigh Register of 21 Sept 1827 is below:

17. Thomas G. Scott, (Sr.), Postmaster, married Mary Green Hunter, daughter of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., on 22 Jul 1818. Their marriage is shown above under #16, Mary Green Hunter. Thomas G. Scott died 12 Feb. 1846, obit below. (Note: This Thomas G. Scott is not the one buried at Raleigh’s National Cemetery. The Legacy Research Associates report to NCSU and NCDCR of 1 Aug. 2017 lists Scott as being buried at Raleigh National Cemetery. That information is incorrect. The Thomas Scott buried at the National Cemetery served as a private with the cld. [colored] troops in the Civil War. This is not our Thomas Scott. See National Cemetery record below under Thomas G. Scott, Jr., #18.)

Thomas G. Scott’s obit from the Raleigh Register of 17 Feb 1846 is below:

18. Thomas G. Scott, Esq (Jr., son of Thomas G. Scott & Mary Green Hunter and grandson of Theophilus Hunter, Jr.), died in 1859 (obit). (The Legacy Research Associates report to NCSU and NCDCR of 1 Aug., 2017 lists Scott as being buried at Raleigh National Cemetery. That information is incorrect. The Thomas Scott buried there served as a private with the cld. [colored] troops in the Civil War. That is not our Thomas Scott.)

The obit of Thomas G. Scott (Jr.) from the Democratic Press of 15 Oct 1859 is below:

Listing at Raleigh National Cemetery for the other (African American) Thomas Scott:

19. Virginia Scott, daughter of Thomas G. Scott, Esq. (husband of Adelaide Hunter who was daughter of Theophilus Hunter, Jr.) and granddaughter of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., died 24 July 1847. Her obit from the Standard of 28 July 1847 is below:

20. Thomas T. Hill , son of Adelaide Hunter who was a daughter of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., & William G. Hill and grandson of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., was born in 1834 (Census) and died 30 May 1859 (obit). His brother William G. Hill was instrumental in selling Spring Hill property through the Equity Court to William High in 1864.

His obit from the Standard of 8 June 1859 is below:

21. Rosa Gilmore Hill daughter of Adelaide Hunter and Dr. Wiiliam G, Hill, and granddaughter of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., Unknown death date after 1860 (US Census). She is not listed in her father’s household in the 1870 US Census. We cannot find records of marriage, land ownership, newspapers, death, or burial.

Rosa Hill was 14 in the 1860 Census:

Rosa Hill is missing from the 1870 U S Census of her father’s household:

22. Martha G. Hunter (daughter of William H. Hunter and granddaughter of Theophilus Hunter, Jr.) married Moses A. Bledsoe and died 16 March 1858 (obit). They lived in Wake County where he was a prominent politician who outlived her by many years.

Martha G. Hunter’s marriage to Moses A. Bledsoe in the Raleigh Register of 30 Sep 1845 is below:

Martha G. Hunter Bledsoe’s obituary in the Standard of 24 Mar 1858 is below:

Partial obit of Martha G. Hunter’s husband, Moses A. Bledsoe, who died in 1905 from the Farmer and Mechanic of 7 Nov 1905:

23. Charles H. Hunter (son of Henry Hunter and grandson of Theophilus Hunter, Sr.) Unknown death date, after 1850 (U S Census). He was listed in the 1850 US Census with his younger brother, Joseph T. Hunter, in Wake County but he was not listed in the 1860 Census in Wake. His brother, Joseph, had died in 1856 in Florida, but Charles was not listed in the 1860 Census in Florida with his brother’s family.

What became of Charles H. Hunter remains a mystery.

1860 census in Marianne, Florida of Joseph T. Hunter’s wife, Caroline Bell, and her family did not include Charles H. Hunter:

24. William Johnson Hall, son of Maria Louisa Hunter and Everard Hall and grandson of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., was born in 1843, unknown death date after 1860 (Census). (The William Hall buried at Oakwood in 1949 was born in VA.) Family records at NC State Archives indicate that he never married. He disappeared from the records after 1860.

He is listed as age 7 in the 1850 US Census:

William Johnson Hall was 17 in the 1860 U S Census:

He disappeared from the records after 1860.

25. Theophilus Hunter Hall, born in 1850, son of Maria Hunter and Everard Hall and grandson of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., unknown death date, after 1860 (Census). See above Censuses in which he is listed with his family. He disappeared from the records after 1860.

26. Mary Virginia Hall, infant daughter of Maria Louisa Hunter and Everard Hall and granddaughter Theophilus Hunter, Jr. Source: family records at NC State Archives. Unknown death date after her parents’ marriage in 1841.

27-?.  Unknown number of infants and children who did not survive to adulthood and who do not appear in any records.

FAMILY MEMBERS WHO WERE MOST LIKELY

NOT BURIED AT SPRING HILL

1. Edith Hunter, daughter of Theophilus Hunter, Sr., married Brittain Sanders. They lived on Middle Creek in Wake County. Although he died in 1798, the year his will was probated in Wake County, and she was named in the will and was left the plantation house, we don’t know her date of death and presume that she would have been buried on their plantation with her husband.
2. Mary (Polly) Hunter, daughter of Theophilus Hunter, Sr., married Gov. Gabriel Holmes. They lived in Sampson County where he died 12 Oct., 1829. There is no evidence that she returned to Wake County after her husband’s death.
3. Osborn Hunter, son of Theophilus Hunter, Sr., lived in Johnston County and died there on 24 May, 1810. Although his will was probated in Wake County, there is no reason to think he or his family are buried at Spring Hill.
4. Tempie Hill, daughter of Adelaide Virginia Hunter and William G. Hill and granddaughter of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., died after 1897. Her death date and burial site are unknown.
5. Laura Phillips, wife of Theophilus Hunter Hill, died 7 July 1878. Her burial site is unknown.
6. Edmund F. Hill, son of Adelaide Hunter and William G. Hill and grandson of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., was still living in 1875 when he returned to Raleigh from “sailing on the seas.” Unable to find record of death or burial.
7. Mary Anne/Marianna Hill, daughter of Adelaide Hunter and William G Hill and granddaughter of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., was born c. 1840 (1860 U S Census). She was age 30 and living with her father and step-mother in the 1870 US Census. Unable to find record of death or burial.
8. Robert McCauley, husband of Sarah J Hunter, daughter of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., died in Orange County on 13 Mar 1829.
9. Samuel H. Young, 2^nd husband of Jane S Hunter, daughter of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., remarried Julia and died 18 Jan., 1874.
10. & 12. Holly Young and her unnamed brother and sister, children of Jane S. Hunter, daughter of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., and Samuel H Young, who drowned in Columbia, South Carolina on 6 May 1860.
11. Maria Louisa Hunter, daughter of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., married Everard Hall on 8 Sept, 1841. She died 4 Jan 1895 in Louisburg. Her obit in the Evening Visitor (Raleigh) states that she was buried in Oakwood next to her husband, but they have no record of her interment at the cemetery.
12. Theophilus Hunter Hall, son of Maria Louisa Hunter and Everard Hall and grandson of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., married Calandonia Atkinson in 1875 according to family records at NC State Archives. Unable to find record of death or burial.
13. Caladonia Atkinson, wife of Theophilus Hunter Hall, son of Maria Louisa Hunter and Everard Hall and grandson of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., unable to find record of death or burial.
14. Annie Greene, wife of Andrew McCauley Hall, son of Maria Louisa Hunter and Everard Hall and grandson of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., unable to find record of death or burial.
15. Nancy Ann Seawell was married 7 Dec., 1803 to Henry Hunter, son of Theophilus Hunter, Sr. After Henry died in 1810, she married Dr. Simmons J. Baker of Scotland Neck and Raleigh on 22 Dec 1814. She died 5 May 1843 in Raleigh but was probably not buried at her former husband’s home burial ground.
16. William H. Scott, son of Thomas G Scott & Mary Green Hunter and grandson of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., married Emma Steadman 29 May 1855. A record of his death or burial cannot be located.
17. Theophilus Scott, son of Thomas G Scott & Mary Green Hunter and grandson of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., married Mary Battle on 8 May 1845. A record of his death or burial cannot be located.
18. Mary Hunter, daughter of William H. Hunter and granddaughter of Theophilus Hunter Jr., married Edward I. Mallett on 8 Oct., 1849. They lived in Orange Co in the 1850 U S Census and in Craven Co in the 1860 Census. A record of her death or burial cannot be located.
19. Edward I. Mallett married Mary Hunter, daughter of William H Hunter and granddaughter of Theophilus Hunter Jr., on 8 Oct., 1849. They lived in Orange Co in the 1850 U S Census and in Craven Co in the 1860 Census. A record of his death or burial cannot be located.
20. Emma E. Bledsoe, daughter of Moses A. Bledsoe and Martha G. Hunter (daughter of William H Hunter and granddaughter of Theophilus Hunter Jr.), married Thomas Foust according to family records at the NC State Archives. A record of her death or burial cannot be located.
21. Thomas Foust, husband of Emma E. Bledsoe, daughter of Moses A. Bledsoe and Martha G. Hunter (daughter of William H Hunter and granddaughter of Theophilus Hunter Jr.), according to family records at the NC State Archives. A record of his death or burial cannot be located.

 

FAMILY MEMBERS WHO WERE BURIED AT OTHER CEMETERIES

1. Joseph T. Hunter, son of Nancy Ann Seawell and Henry Hunter and grandson of Theophilus Hunter, Sr., was born 1 Nov 1806 and died 4 Mar. 1856 in Greenwood, Jackson Co, Florida according to Find-A-Grave.
2. Adelaide Virginia Hunter, daughter of Theophilus Hunter, Jr. was born 19 May, 1809 (City Cemetery records) and married Dr. William G Hill 20 May 1830. She died 21 Sept. 1864. She is listed as buried at City Cemetery.
3. William G. Hill, husband of Adelaide Virginia Hunter, daughter of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., was born 11 Sept., 1806 (City Cemetery records). He remarried after Adelaide’s death, and his funeral was on 6 May, 1877. He is listed as buried at City Cemetery.
4. Theophilus Hunter Hill, son of Adelaide Virginia Hunter and William G Hill and grandson of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., married Laura Phillips on 22 Jan., 1861. He died in 30 June, 1901. He is buried at Oakwood, Raleigh.
5. Adelaide V. Hill, daughter of Adelaide Hunter and William G. Hill and granddaughter of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., married Donald W. Bain on 27 Jan 1865. She was still living 29 March 1885 when she traveled to New Orleans with the Governor. She died 5 May 1914 and is buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Raleigh.
6. Donald W. Bain, State Treasurer and husband of Adelaide V. Hill, died 17 Nov 1892. He was buried at Oakwood, Raleigh.
7. William G. Hill, Jr., son of Adelaide Hunter and William G. Hill and grandson of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., died 8 Jan 1853 in California.
8. Everard Hall, husband of Maria Louisa Hunter, daughter of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., died 6 Aug., 1884. He is buried at Oakwood, Raleigh.
9. Emma Eugenia Hall, daughter of Maria Louisa Hunter and Everard Hall and granddaughter of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., wrote a thinly disguised fictional account of life at Spring Hill called Vernal Dune under the pen name of Eugene Hall. She was born in 1844, married George Strother Baker on 27 Jan 1870. She was still living at the time of her husband’s death in 1907. She died in 1939 and is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Louisburg, according to Find–A-Grave.
10. George Strother Baker, husband of Emma Eugenia Hall, daughter of Maria Louisa Hunter and Everard Hall and granddaughter of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., was born in 1837, married on 27 Jan, 1870, and died in Louisburg on 7 March 1907. According to Find-A-Grave, he is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Louisburg.
11. Everard Telfair Hall, son of Maria Louisa Hunter and Everard Hall and grandson of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., married Mattie Nixon on 18 March 1876. He died on 16 June 1928 and is buried at Oakwood, Raleigh.
12. Mattie M. Nixon, wife of Everard Telfair Hall, died 27 April 1902 and is buried at Oakwood, Raleigh.
13. Andrew McCauley Hall, son of Maria Louisa Hunter and Everard Hall and grandson of Theophilus Hunter, Jr., married Annie Greene in 1882 according to family records at NC State Archives. He was born in 1848 and died in 1923. He is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Louisburg according to Find-A-Grave.
14. Moses A. Bledsoe, husband of Martha G. Hunter, daughter of William H. Hunter and granddaughter of Theophilus Hunter Jr., was born 27 Jun 1822 & died 4 Nov 1905. He is buried at Oakwood, Raleigh.
15. William H. Bledsoe, son of Moses A. Bledsoe and Martha G. Hunter (daughter of William H Hunter and granddaughter of Theophilus Hunter Jr.), died 10 Aug. 1890 and was buried at Oakwood, Raleigh.
16. Edward M. Bledsoe, son of Moses A. Bledsoe and Martha G. Hunter (daughter of William H. Hunter and granddaughter of Theophilus Hunter Jr.), born 1815, married Annie M. Hinton on 10 Sept, 1873, and died on 12 May, 1913. Buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Raleigh, according to Find-A-Grave.
17. Annie M. Hinton married Edward M Bledsoe, son of Moses A. Bledsoe and Martha G. Hunter (daughter of William H Hunter and granddaughter of Theophilus Hunter Jr.), on 10 Sept, 1873. She was born in 1853 and died on 17 Nov., 1899. Buried at Oakwood cemetery, Raleigh, according to Find-A-Grave.

Acknowledgments 2019.04.01

By Belle Long, with extensive contributions from and thanks to Josh Price, Thomas Hunter, Betsy Hunter Amos, and Rich Hunter.

Other help came from Saundra Cropps at Olivia Raney Local History Library, Ernest Dollar at The City of Raleigh Museum, Ainsley Powell in Raleigh City Historic Sites, the archivists at NC State Archives, the librarians at the State Government and History Library, Ramona Bartos, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, Lindsay Ferrante, Deputy State Archaeologist, Renee Gledhill-Early at NCDCR, Claudia Brown, retired from the State Historic Preservation Office, Robin Simonton at Oakwood Cemetery and John Ward.

Sources: Wake and Johnston County Deed, Record, Inventory, Wills, and Guardianship Records and Marriage Bonds; Franklin County Marriage Bonds; Newspapers.com; Find=A-Grave.com; Elizabeth Reid Murray and Elizabeth Norris papers at Olivia Raney Local History Library; Raleigh National, City, and Oakwood Cemetery Burial databases; U S Census and Mortality Records from Ancestry.com; genealogical vertical files at N C State Archives; Hiram Masonic Lodge #40 Minute Books; Early Methodist Meeting Houses by C. Franklin Grill; Church historian at Edenton Street Methodist Church; Christ Episcopal Church Registers ed. by Charlie C. Blunt.