Hunt, Richard

Epithet: Lieutenant -Colonel

Epithet: of Stowe MS 207

Epithet: of Dorking

The collection revolves primarily around the family of Benjamin H. Foster of Southampton, Long Island, and Foster's brother-in-law, Samuel Hunt. Benjamin Foster (1808-circa 1880s) was an attorney and community leader in Southampton, N.Y.. He was also deeply involved in the whaling industry during its peak from the 1830s through the mid-nineteenth century. During that time, Foster was entitled to a share of the Union Whaling Company at Sag Harbor, and purchased various whaling and steam ships, including the "Hudson," "Ann," and "Crescent." During the 1860s, Foster invested in a trust for whaling pioneer Thomas Welcome Roys (circa 1816-1877). Foster also helped in commissioning the Long Island Rail Road to build a right of way line between Riverhead and Sag Harbor between 1868 and 1870.

Reverend Samuel Hunt (1810-1878), son of the Reverend Richard and Ann (Humphrey) Hunt, was ordained as pastor for the Natick Congregational Church in Natick, Massachusetts in 1839, and continued his pastoral work at various congregations until 1864. Hunt was educated at Wrentham Academy, and graduated from Amherst College in 1832. He taught at Southampton Academy in Long Island, where he met and married Amy Foster (1810-1849), daughter of Major Josiah and Abigail Foster of Southampton (and sister of Benjamin), in 1838, and had 5 children. During his pastorate in Natick, Hunt became close companions with political leader and abolitionist Henry Wilson. Both Hunt and Wilson were advocates of human freedom and racial equality; in 1868, Hunt rejoined with Wilson when he became Secretary for the U.S. Senate Committee on Military Affairs, of which Senator Wilson was the chairman. Further, Hunt served as Wilson's private secretary during his time in office as vice president of the United States (1873-1875). In addition to his publications pertaining to his congregational work, Hunt aided in the preparation and editing of Wilson's History of the Rise and Fall of the Slave Power in America (1872-1877).