Major James Hunter
James Hunter was a distinguished Patriot, soldier, and public official. He was born April 8, 1740, in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. He is thought to have moved south with his cousins James and Alexander Martin, whose mother was Jane Hunter and therefore James Hunter’s aunt.
Hunter’s home was located about five miles northwest of present–day Rockingham County, Mayodan, North Carolina. The first deed in Guilford County that refers to him (Deed Book 1, page 176, dated August 11, 1772) says he is “of Guilford County.” There is some indication that he may have lived in Bedford County, Virginia, before settling in North Carolina. He married Mary McFarland, the daughter of John McFarland, on September 13, 1762, in what must have been quite a romance.
In September 1776, Hunter renounced allegiance to the King of England and took the “Oath of Allegiance to the Colonies” in Salisbury. During the American Revolutionary War, Major Hunter played an important role as a militia member, entering as a major in the company of his cousin, Colonel James Martin. They fought in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, serving as militia under General Greene.
After the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, General Greene dispatched Hunter on “a dangerous and arduous journey” with a message to General Washington who was in New Jersey. His faithful servant, Sam, who spoke of the experience in later years, accompanied him. Later, Hunter was involved in the colonial occupation of Wilmington.
Hunter served the public in many ways over the years. He was a representative for Guilford County in the State House of Commons, 1778–1782. He was the treasurer of Guilford County, High Sheriff and a juror on the county court. He also helped lay out the county’s borders when it was cut off of Guilford County. 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 lieutenant colonel of Rockingham County in 1787. He was appointed to the Board of Auditors of Salisbury District in 1787. He served as a justice on Salisbury District Superior Court from 1790–92. James was a committee member (1795) who helped to lay out lots at Rockingham County Courthouse. He continued to service his community until he was not physically able.
He died of pneumonia on January 30, 1821. He and his wife, Mary (born February 4, 1743 and died May 29, 1821), are both buried in the Hunter–Dalton–Price Graveyard near his old Beaver Island home outside Madison, North Carolina.
References:
“James Hunter” Early Families of the North Carolina Counties of Rockingham and Stokes with Revolutionary Service Madison, NC: James Hunter Chapter NSDAR, 1977.
“James Hunter” By Mrs. Hunter Dalton Jr. The Heritage of Rockingham County North Carolina 1983 Winston Salem, NC: Hunter Publishing Company with Rockingham Historical Society, Inc., 1983.
Photos courtesy of the chapter archives.
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