Major James Hunter of Beaver Island Creek
	James Hunter was a distinguished patriot, soldier, and public official. He was born 8 April 1740 in Hunterton County, New Jersey. He is thought to have moved South with his cousins, James and Alexander Martin (their mother was Jane Hunter, James' aunt). All three distinguished themselves with public careers. His home was located about five miles northwest of present-day Madison, NC (this area was Rowan County, NC, until Guilford County was formed in 1771, then became Rockingham County in 1785). The first deed in Guilford County that refers to him says he is "of Guilford County" (Deed Book 1: page 176) dated 11 August 1772. There is some indication that he may have lived in Bedford County, VA, before settling in North Carolina. He married Mary McFarland in what must have been quite a romance--her sister Rachel married his brother John. Hunter renounced Allegiance to the King of England and took the "Oath of Allegiance to the Colonies" in Salisbury, September 1776. During the Revolutionary War, Major Hunter played an important role as a militia member, entering as a major in the company of his cousin, Col. James Martin. They fought in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, serving as militia under General Greene. After Guilford Courthouse, General Greene dispatched Hunter with a message to General Washington who was in New Jersey, "a dangerous and arduous journey." His faithful servant, Sam, who spoke of the experience in later years, accompanied him. He later was involved in the colonial occupation of Wilmington.Hunter served the public the rest of his life as a congressman (representing Guilford County in the State House of Commons, 1778-1782), High Sheriff, treasurer, auditor, court justice (1790-92 at Salisbury) and committee member (1795) on laying out lots of acreage at Rockingham County Courthouse. He also helped lay out the county's borders. When the new county was formed, he was appointed Justice of Peace for Rockingham County at the first session of Court in February 1786. He remained a militia member, promoted to Lt. Colonel of Rockingham County in 1787. He continued as a public servant until overtaken by age. He died of pneumonia 30 January 1821. His wife, Mary, was born 4 February 1743 and died 29 May 1821. They are both buried in the Hunter-Dalton Graveyard near his old Beaver Island home outside Madison, NC. This graveyard is still accessible and the stones are still readable.He and his wife had the following children: 1) Mary McFarland Hunter, born 7 September 1763, who married William Deering; 2) John Hunter, a twin, born 2 March 1769, who married Miss McNairy in Tennessee; 3) James Hunter, a twin, born 2 March 1769, who was killed by Indians; 4) Alexander Hunter, born 8 November 1772, who died unmarried in an accidental death in Tennessee; 5) Rachel Hunter, born 30 November 1774, who married Nicholas Dalton; 6) Samuel Hunter, born 4 February 1777, who married Rebecca Bruce; 7) Elizabeth Hunter, born 2 September 1779, who died at a young age; 8) Dr. Robert Hunter, born 16 June 1782, who married his cousin, Fannie Martin, daughter of James8, who died young. References: Dalton, Mrs. Hunter, Jr. "James Hunter." Rockingham Heritage Book. Wentworth: Rockingham County Historical Society, c. 1983 James Hunter." Early Families in Rockingham and Stokes Counties with Revolutionary Service. Madison: James Hunter Chapter DAR. Hunter, David H. "The Major." Writings about his family's ancestry.
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