Hunt, John, 1812-1848

John Hunt was born on June 13, 1812 in Hykeham Moor near Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The third of four children, he spent his early years on a farm overseen by his father. At the age of seventeen Hunt converted to Methodism and was called to preach on the Lincoln Circuit. In 1835 he attended the Wesleyan Theological Institution at Hoxton near London. During his second year of study Hunt was asked to join the mission headed by the Rev. David Cargill (d. 1843) in Fiji. He married Hannah Summers of Newton-on-Trent on March 6, 1838 and received his ordination at the Wesleyan Chapel at Hackney on March 27, 1838. John and Hannah departed for Fiji on April 29, 1838 and after a stop in Sydney, Australia arrived on December 23. Hunt served missions at Rewa in 1839, Somosomo from 1839-1842, and Viwa from 1842-1848. The couple had four children: John (d. 1839); Hannah (1843-1845); daughter, name unknown (b. 1845); and Hannah (b. 1847). Rev. Hunt died after an extended bout of dysentery on October 4, 1848 at the age of thirty-six and was buried at Viwa.

During his time in Fiji Rev. Hunt translated the New Testament into the Bauan dialect, which became the standard of written Fijian. He also wrote "Letters in Entire Sanctification." Hunt's commitment to missionary work and astute observations of local customs contributed to the dominance of Methodism in Fiji.