Susan Sharp Research Notes
Letter from Mrs. Warren J. (Frances D.) Broderick, 695 Fourth Avenue, Lansingburgh, New York 12182, dated December 7, 1977 to Jean Saunders Davis: John Hunter appears in the city directories of Troy, New York in the years 1864, 1865 and 1866. He does not appear again. He is living on the corner of Hill and Liberty Streets. Mrs. Broderick states: "The identification came through a search for the estate of a brother who would have left him money. After searching for some time, I found it. The man was William Hunter, and he died in Troy, New York, January 2, 1863. He ran a saloon at the corner of Hill and Liberty Streets. His widow, Rachel Hunter filed a petition for Letters of Administration and in this she states that William deceased, had no parents living, no children, but only his widow, and living in Scotland, one brother and two sisters, who with the widow are his only heirs. This petition is dated January 10, 1863 and seems to indicate that John is then in Scotland. However, John is evidently in Troy in April 1863 when Rachel deeds him the property, so as to clear her right of dower. This deed to John dated April 27, 1863. John keeps this property until August 29, 1866 when he deeds it to Isabella Dingman of Troy. He sells her part of lot 5 for $900. On September 14,1866 John Hunter sells to James Moran of Troy for $1152.50, subject to the payment of two mortgages of $500 each held by Troy Savings Bank, and a mortgage of $700 held by Townsend and Browne, also subject to claim for ground rent against the premises, and also a judgement of $261.25 held by William A. Flack and others, and subject to unpaid city and county taxes.
Obviously, John Hunter received nothing on this sale as the claims and judgements amount to more than the sale. Even though he sold the other lot for $900, he must have come out with very little money from these sales.
He may have sold the property because he planed to leave the city -- he does not appear again in a directory or other record, he may have died and have an unmarked grave (all marked graves have been checked) or he may have sold the property because of the debts he owned, mortgages, taxes, etc. So far I cannot tell. Checked the burial ledgers which cover (in most cases) people who died in Troy between 1835 and 1890 period, and found entry for William Hunter, brother of John. Although parents are usually given on these records they were not filled in. The record stated that William Hunter, who died January 2, 1863 resided in Troy on the corner of Liberty and Hill Streets, he had been ill 2 years with disease of the liver. Signed by Dr. James Thorn, and William Madden was the undertaker. He was married, a Saloon keeper. It stated that William Hunter was 60 years and 17 days, and he was born in Ireland. He was placed in the vault of the Old Mt. Ida Cemetery, until spring. Therethe record ends. Among the listed tombstones of Old Mt. Ida and there are no other records -- he is not listed. I assume he was buried there in the spring of1863, but on the other hand they had a large vault and often stored bodies for other downtown cemeteries. No way to tell. I was concerned with William's burial place, as if John died here, he could be in same lot.
That born in Ireland is an interesting point. Could it be possible that this family went from Ireland to Scotland? I am going to check census records for William next week if possible to see where it states he was born. William would have been born then in 1802 or 1803. Was he older than John?
Mrs. Broderick continues: "Incidently William was in Troy by 1857 and I think earlier. I can trace him back in the library where they have the street directories back to 1829. He is in the saloon business in 1857 and probably for some years before that."
From notes of Mrs. Warren J. Broderick to Jean Saunders Davis: Census Records, City of Troy, New York, 1850, Eighth Ward, No. 2724-4380 William Hunter, 45, grocer, born Ireland, Abram Freer, 33, No occupation, born NYS Mary Newcomb, 22, No occupation, born NYS James Guire, 35 clerk, born NYS Census Record, City of Troy, New York, Eighth Ward, page 10, Dwelling No. 40, Brick, worth 2700, Family No. 80, Year 1855 William Hunter, age 49, born Ireland, Married once, now married, has been 23 years in the town, a laborer, alien, owns land. Rachel Hunter, 24, wife, born Clinton County, 8 years in the town. Michael McDermott, age 38, bartender, born Ireland, 24 years in town Harriett Boland, 30, boarder, born Canada, no occupation, 2 years in town Ann Galleger, 17, boarder, born Ireland, no occupation, 3 years in town Elizabeth Sheppu, 24, boarder, born Germany, no occupation, 4 years in town Louisa Pollack, 22, boarder, born Kings County, no occupation, 3 yearsi n town Jessie Wickes, 18, boarder, born "On the Sea", no occupation, 3 years in town Jane Ostrander, 20, boarder, born Saratoga County, no occupation, 1/12 years in town.
Census Record, City of Troy, New York, eighth ward, page 91, Dwelling 463, Family no. 744, year 1860 William Hunter, 54, "Keeps House of Prostitution" born Ireland, has real estate $1500 and personal estate $2000 Rachel Hunter, 27, wife, born Ireland; Ellen Bradbury, 26, Prostitute, born England; Jessie Wickes, 25, Prostitute, born New York; Ann Earls, 22, Prostitute, born New York; Caroline Bigsby, 21, Prostitute, born Virginia; Sarah E. Gunn, 17, Prostitute, born Virginia; Maria Foster, 20, Prostitute, born New York; Mary Austin, 23, Prostitute, born New York; Mary Delawn, 16, Prostitute, born New York; Sarah E. Follyre, 26, servant, born New York; Almira Follyer, 9, born New York; Margaret Follyer, 4, born New York; Harriette Jackson, 30, cook, Black, born New York.
Obituary: Notes of Mrs. Warren J. Broderick to Jean Saunders Davis. Troy Daily Times, January 3, 1863, page 3, column 5. Died: In this city on January 2nd, William T. Hunter aged 60 years. Funeral from his late residence at the corner of Hill and Liberty Streets, Sunday at 2 o"clock.
Notes of Mrs. Warren J. Broderick to Jean Saunders Davis. "In the general area of the eighth ward, I noted two other businesses the same as William ran, not too far away. I find it a bit hard to picture his funeral. He may well have had a first wife, as he is so much older than the wife Rachel in these records. Perhaps he had a first wife who died -- but in any event no children who survived him. South Troy area -- rather a colorful place in the early years and in fact for many years later. When there was a death people used to go some distance to attend the wake. Much drinking and usually a fight. I have heard much about them. Election time brought fights where it was not uncommon to have the men take up the paving stones and throw them at each other."
Notes of Mrs. Warren J. Broderick to Jean Saunders Davis. "I only find William in directories from 1842 on -- but census states he came about 1832 -- In the first years he was a laborer and once a fisherman. Rachel, wife of William, is listed once at the saloon -- I think 1864. Place probably then went out of business. She remarried a Mr. Sherry."
SURROGATE"S COURT IN THE MATTER OF APPLICATION OF LETTERS OFADMINISTRATION ON THE ESTATE OF William Hunter, deceased.
James H.Wardon and John D. Miles, Apps. Filed this 8th day of January 1863. Surrogate"s Court: In the matter of the application for Administration on the Estate of William Hunter late of the City of Troy, New York. County of Rensselaer: I Rachel T. Hunter of the City of Troy in said County being duly sworn, do depose and say that I am the widow of the said deceased; that the said deceased died a natural death at the City of Troy in said County on the 2 day of January 1863, without leaving a Will and Testament; that said deceased at the time of his death was possessed of certain personal property in the State of New York, the value thereof does not now exceed the sum of fourteen hundred dollars, as I have been informed and believe; that the said deceased left him surviving his widow, said Rachel T. Hunter, no children or descendants, father or mother, but one brother and two sisters who reside in Scotland and whose particular place of residence are unknown to this deponent and are the only next of kin; and that he was at or immediately previous to his death an inhabitant of the County of Rennselaer. And I pray that Administration on the Estate of the said deceased be granted by the Surrogate of the County of Rennselaer to me. Sworn before me this day of January 1863, Morris Barron, Surrogate. Rachel T. Hunter (her mark).
County of Rennselaer, ss. I Rachel T. Hunter do solemnly swear that I will well, honestly, and faithfully discharge the duties of administratrix of the estate of William Hunter deceased, according to law. Subscribed and sworn before me this 10th day of January 1863, Morris Barron, Surrogate. Rachel T. Hunter (her mark).
SURROGATE"S COURT, State of New York, Rennselaer Co. ss. Rachel T. Hunter, administratrix of William Hunter, deceased, being duly sworn, does depose and say that the annexed Inventory is in all respects just and true -- that it contains a true statement of all of the Personal Property of the said deceased, which has come to the knowledge of this deponent, and particularly all the money, bank bills, and other circulating medium belonging to the deceased, and of all just claims of the said deceased against this deponent. Subscribed and sworn this 18th day of February 1863 before me. Morris Barron, Surrogate. Rachel T. Hunter (her mark).
The following "property set" apart for the widow as directed by statute without being appraised. 2 Bed Steads 2 Beds and Beding 1 Small Parlour stove andpipe 6 Mahogany chairs 1 Mahogany Rocking chair 1 Cooking Stove pipeand utensils 1 Cherry table 6 knives and forks 6 plates 6 Tea Cups and Saucers 1 Sugar dish 1 Milk pot 1 Tea pot 6 Spoons The following "property set" apart for the widow (not excluding one hundred and fifty Dollars) as directed by statute. 4 pictures $4.00 1 Bar Room Clock Glass flowers 3. decanters decanters decanters goblets glasses Bottles Bottles Segars kegs 5 gals wine 5.00 8.75 5 gals brand gals Corn Whiskey 1.88 6.88 5 gals gin 3.75 gals Sherry wine 6.25 10.00 4 quart decanters 2.00 1 pint decanter .31 2.31 10 bar tumblers? .6 bar pump 1.50 2.12 2 water pails & one kuler 9 Bar Room Chairs 2.25 2.50 1 Stove & Pipe 4.00 coal scuttle .37 4.37 80 gals gin .90 3.10 Total $150.00
An inventory taken January 23rd 1863 of the personal estate of William Hunter.
1 Globe Lamp .37
1 oyster knife .06
6 Red window curtains .50
1 Gilt frame mirror 6.00
1 marble top stand 5.00
1 sofa 3.00 1 small sofa 5.00
6 mahogany chairs 3.00
1 Rocking chair .75
1 small rocking chair 2.50
1 mantle clock 2.00
2 girondoles 2.00
4 pictures 1.00
3 rugs .37
1 oil cloth 1.00
1 stove board and sink .25
2 setts of curtains and fixtures 2.50
2 stools .75
1 carpet 7.50
1 looking glass 1.50
1 mahogany stand 1.00
1 old beaurian ?1.00
1 chest 1.00
1 bed stead 1.00,
1 pair shades .50
1 pr.window curtains .50,
fixtures for curtains .37
1 bed room carpet .50
1 looking glass .75
1 table spread .50
6 com chairs 2.25
1 stove & pipe 2.00
1 oil cloth .25
1 stove board and zink .25
1 spittoon .10
1 carpet 1.00
Total $58.02
Page 2 Amount brot over $ 58.02
2 window shades .25
2 setts of curtains and fixtures 1.00
4 wash bowls 1.00
2 pitchers .75
2 stands 50,
2 bed room carpets .50
2 window shades .50
1 feather bed and beding (single bed) 4.00
1 matress and beding (single bed)
2.00 2 single bed steads
2.00 1 straw bed and beding 1.00
1 single bedstead .75
1 small looking glass .50
1 wash stand .50
1 oldcarpet .50
1 window shade and curtain .50
1 girondol 1.00
2 window shades .50
1 Brussels carpet 12.50
1 Bed stead 1.00
2 small pillows .50
1 piece old carpet .25
1 looking glass .75
1 table 1.00
7 old maple chairs .88
1 Rocking chair .50
1 tablespread .25
2 window shades .50,
2 setts window curtains .50
1 stove & pipe 2.00
1 oil cloth 1.00
1 stove board and zink .25
1 coal hod .10
2 pictures .75
1 carpet and rug .75
4wash bowls 1.00
2 pitchers .75
2 chairs .25
2 single bedsteads 1.50
2 feather beds & beding 12.00
1 chair .13
1 washstand .38
this entry is not readable
Page 3 Amt Brot over 117.38
1 single bed stead .75
1 carpet .25
1 feather bed and beding 5.00
3 window shades .75
1 looking glass .75
1 table 1.00
1 table spread .25
2 pictures .75
1 stove & pipe 2.00
1 oilcloth .25
1 stove board and zink .25,
1 carpet 1.00
2 windowshades .50
2 sett window curtains .50
4 wash bowls 1.00
2 pitchers .75
2 wash stands .75
1 chair .13
2 single bed steads 1.50
2 carpets .75
2 feather beds and beding 8.00
9 whitedinner plates .45
12 soup plates .60
14 breakfast plates .70
11 pie plates .55
10 coffee cups and saucers .60
6 bowls. 24
14 small sauce dishes .14
6 potatoe dishes .60
2 vegetable dishes .50
1 sugar bowl and 1 milk pitcher .20
1 doz egg cups .12
1/2 doz table spoons .50
1 doz tea spoons .50
1 butterknife .25
3 platters .75,
1 soup terrine .18
3 wood pails .60
1 sugar box .10
1 stone jar .38
1 dinner bell .10
17 knives & forks 1.50
1 chopping knife & bowl .50
4 white pitchers 1.00
1 caster and bottles .75
1 water pail .18
6 kitchenchairs .75
Page 4 Amt Brot over 163.75
20 gals palo ? Brandy 30.00
10 gals Bourbon whiskey 10.00
2 gals port wine 3.00
4000 segars (.10) 40.00
2 stair carpets 4.00
3 hall oil cloths 4.50
Total $255.25 Cash
Item : A deposit State Bank of Troy $1200.00
A note given by Thomas W. Phipps for Seventy five dollars. four months after date dated November 30, 1860 with an endorsement thereon of fifty dollars August 4, 1862, leaving a balance due on said note of $37.95. (Good)
A note given by George W. Johnson for five dollars dated December 6, 1860 with interest, leaving due on said note $5.74. (Doubtful)
Total $1498.94 Signed Jas H. Worden & John D. Miles Appraisers.