Z 2187.000 Hunter Family Papers

Z 2187.000 S
HUNTER FAMILY PAPERS

Rosa M. Farrar was born in Jamestown, Powhatan County, Virginia, in 1825. She was the daughter of Dr. Stephen C. and Eliza H. Farrar. At the age of thirteen, Farrar and her family moved to Brandon, Rankin County, Mississippi. She was educated in Huntsville, Alabama. Farrar returned to Brandon and married Lemuel W. Petrie in 1842. The couple settled on a farm about five miles east of Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi. The Petries had five children: Charles W. (b. ca. 1842), Frederick Henry (b. ca. 1844), Alice (b. August 15, 1846), Eva (b. ca. 1849), and Herbert Lemuel (b. ca. 1850). Lemuel W. Petrie died on December 24, 1851, and was interred at Greenwood Cemetery in Jackson.

Rosa M. Farrar Petrie married the Reverend Dr. John H. Hunter, minister of the First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, on August 24, 1858. The couple resided in Jackson and had five children: John Farrar (b. February 19, 1860), Rosabel (b. October 8, 1861), Ernest Sayle (b. December 4, 1867), George Alexander, and Idalette. Rosabel Hunter later married Brigadier General George Yates Freeman. Rosa M. Farrar Petrie Hunter died on December 31, 1905, and was interred at Greenwood Cemetery.

John H. Hunter was born in Londonderry, Ireland, on September 10, 1824. He was the son of Alexander and Margaret Kelso Hunter. John H. Hunter immigrated to the United States in 1847 and eventually settled in Kentucky. He completed theological studies at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, receiving a doctor of divinity degree in 1856. Hunter assumed ministerial duties at the First Presbyterian Church in Danville soon after his ordination. He moved to Jackson, Mississippi, to become minister of the First Presbyterian Church on May 14, 1858. Hunter married Rosa M. Farrar Petrie on August 24, 1858. He continued his ministerial duties and also served as a trustee of the Deaf and Dumb Institute in Jackson. Hunter retired from his ministerial duties at the First Presbyterian Church in 1897, due to poor health. He died on March 13, 1899, and was interred at Greenwood Cemetery.

The correspondence consists of two letters and a telegram. The earliest letter is from "Yates," probably George Yates Freeman, to Mrs. John H. Hunter, and is dated 1890. In the letter, the writer mentions gathering up some of the belongings of Rosabel, probably Rosabel Hunter Freeman, in order to divide them between Mrs. Hunter and "Idy," probably Idalette Hunter. The second letter is from George Yates Freeman and is dated 1894. In the letter, which was sent to Mrs. Hunter, Freeman discusses the possibility of seeing her before he embarks on a trip to Grenada and Holly Springs, Mississippi. The telegram is addressed to Dr. J. F. [John Farrar] Hunter and concerns the death of Evelan Hamilton, probably Evelyn Stanley Hamilton, son of Stanley W. and Eva Petrie Hamilton.

The memory book was compiled by Rosa M. Farrar Petrie Hunter between 1876 and 1890. Included are clippings of wedding announcements and obituaries of Hunters children and handwritten entries marking the birth and death dates of Ernest Sayle Hunter. Some handwritten poetry, presumably composed by Hunter, as well as clippings of poetry are also included.

The funeral memorabilia consists of two death notices and one booklet. The death notices are for Yates Freeman, daughter of George Yates and Rosabel Hunter Freeman, and Rosa M. Farrar Petrie Hunter. They are dated September 17, 1885, and January 31, 1905, respectively. The booklet is a reprint of a eulogy delivered at the funeral of Rosabel Hunter Freeman on September 23, 1890.

The genealogical materials consist of a Hunter family history and a Bible record concerning other Hunter family members. The typescript is entitled "John Hunter, Sr., of Fredericksburg, Va.," and it was transcribed from a publication entitled The Hunter Family, by Hattie Wooten H. Roberds. The Bible record is a certified copy of one concerning William and Annie Hunter of Louisville, St. Lawrence County, New York.

1. Hunter Family Papers. 1876-1911; n.d. 5 folders.

   Box 1, folders 1-5.

• Box 1, folders 1-5: Hunter family papers, 1876-1911.