U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: ------------------------------------------------------------------- Hunter, David (1761-1829) ------------------------------------------------------------------- Aler's History of Martinsburg and Berkeley County, West Virginia by F. Vernon Aler, 1888 Printed for the Author by The Mail Publishing Company, Hagerstown, MD. CHAPTER VIII. Historical Pen Sketches of the Early Residents of Berkeley County by the late Hon. Chas. James Faulkner. Pages 96-98, COL. DAVID HUNTER Was born in York, Pennsylvania, on the 3rd of May, 1761. Sometime during his early boyhood his parents, came to Virginia and settled near the site of Martinsburg, on what is still known as the "Red House Farm." The precise date of his coming is unknown, but there is reason for believing that the settlement was made during the Governorship of Lord Dunmore, and before the establishment of Berkeley County in 1772. David, the youngest son of the family, acquired the rudiments of his education, in a log school house located near the present crossing of Queen and Burke streets, walking the whole way from his father's house (about two miles to the northward) through unbroken forests. Of his earlier life the traditions are few and vague and scarcely worth reading. He was for sometime employed as deputy assistant in the Clerk's office of Berkeley County, held by his brother, Moses Hunter, between the years 1735 and 1748. About the year 1787 or '88 he went to England on some business connected with the interests of his family, and after his return about 1792. he married Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Philip Pendleton, and sister of the late Philip C. Pendleton. The county Clerkship becoming vacant by the death of his eldest brother, David Hunter, competed for the place with Major Henry Bedinger. Bedinger was elected by the vote of the magistrate, but it being apparent that some of the electors had been controlled by improper influences, the election was contested by Col. Hunter in the courts. After several years of litigation his case was sustained, and he was put in possession of the office in 1803, and held it until his death. About the year 1811 while walking out with some friends on the Walnut Flats, near Stephen's Dam, he attempted to leap a narrow gulley, fell and broke his leg, from the effects of which he was lame for life. Hence the cane and limp which are remembered by all who knew him in his latter days. As the flower of his life passed during the interval between the Revolution and the War of 1812, Colonel Hunter was never in the military service and his title was probably derived from a commission in the militia, and while he was one of most generally esteemed and influential men in the district, the possession of the responsible and (then) lucrative Clerkship, effectually debarred him from seeking political distinction, then, as now, more honorable than profitable. He was nevertheless, like most of the gentlemen of his circle at that day, a strong Federalist, and when that party rejoiced in the downfall of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1813, he was chosen to preside at a barbecue dinner given in honor of the event by the Federalists of Berkeley and adjacent Counties of Virginia and Maryland. This celebration took place on the 16th of September, 1818, at Swearengen's Spring on the Potomac River above Shepherdstown, and was cleverly caricatured as "the Cossack Celebration" in some satirical verse written by a gentleman of the opposite party, and well remembered to this day. The motives and justification of the assembly are set forth however, in a document, still extant, bearing evidences of the sincerity and ability of its framers, and well worth perusal at this day. Colonel Hunter died on the 22nd of March, leaving a large family of sons and daughters, only one of whom it is believed, is still living. From the traditions of his earlier life, we learn that Colonel Hunter was a person handsome, athletic and graceful, courteous and dignified in manner; in conversation full of humorous and entertaining anecdotes, the result of travel and observation, rather than reading and books. He was especially remarkable for his strong practical sense and keen insight into character, rarely erring in his judgment of men with whom he came in contact; yet kindly and generous withal — leaving the impression both in physique and character, of one of the finest types among our early settlers. ------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Berkeley County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/berkeley/bios.html -------------------------------------------------------------------