Robert Hunter was one of the first settlers of Truro, and was a Grantee of the Township. His house stood near the place that Mr. S. S. Nelson's store now stands. He was one of the first elders of the Presbyterian Church of Truro, who were chosen in the summer of the year 1770. He died February 7th, 1810, aged 77 years. He outlived the rest of the elders who were chosen at the same time he was. His wife died October 14th, 1807, aged 74 years. He was born in Ireland in the year 1733. He came out to New England when he was young, and was married there to Esther Moore, about the year 1756. They removed to Nova Scotia in the spring of the year 1760.
Letitia, their eldest daughter, was born in New England in the year 1755. She was married to Caleb Putnam, of Maitland, 1775. William, their eldest son was born February 1st, 1779. He was married to Jane McKenzie, September 20th, 1817. They had six sons and three daughters. He was drowned in the Shubenacadie River, November 10th, 1840, in the 61st year of his age. Esther, the second daughter of Caleb and Letitia Putnam, was born March 14th, 1781. She was married to Robert, eldest son of Gavin Johnson and Elizabeth Hunter, his wife, 1803. They had one son and three daughters. They removed to Ohio, U.S., in the year 1805. Elizabeth Putnam, their eldest daughter, was born September 7th, 1776. She was married to Robert Brydon, 1799. They had two sons and three daughters. She died September, 1832, aged 56 years. Her husband died at Tatamagouche about 1856. Mary Putnam, their third daughter, was born August 7th, 1783. She was married to James Douglas, December, 1807. They had four sons and one daughter. She died January, 1870, aged 86 years. Mr. Douglas died April, 1842. Caleb Putnam, their youngest son, was born July 12th, 1785. He was brought up at his grandfather Hunter's after the death of his mother. He was married to Catherine McDougall, October 1815. They had four sons and three daughters. He died August, 1850, aged 65 years. His widow died in 1850. Caleb Putnam's first wife died in 1785. He was married to Jane Fulton in 1787. They had two sons and six daughters. He died Sept., 1838.
Elizabeth, the second daughter of Robert Hunter and Esther Moore, was born in New England in the year 1759. She was married to Gavin Johnson, a Scotchman, December 7th, 1780. Mr. Johnson was a school teacher. He lived in a house that adjoined the house Mr. William Bowlan now resides in at west end. He was Town Clerk from about the year 1790 to 1798. A few years after this date, he removed to Ohio, U.S., and about the year 1805, he returned to Truro on a visit, and it is said that he persuaded his brother-in-law, John Hunter, to go with him to Ohio. They went in 1815, and after the death of Mr. Hunter, Johnson and his family got his property, which was considerable. Mr. Johnson and his family both died there a number of years ago. Robert Hunter, the eldest son of Gavin and Elizabeth Johnson, was born in Truro, December 29th, 1781. He was married to Esther, daughter of Caleb and Letitia Putnam, 1803. He removed to Ohio, U.S., in 1815. They had one son and three daughters. William Johnson, their second son, was born in Truro, October 22nd, 1783. He was a house joiner. He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of David and Eleanor Taylor, October 8th, 1807. He owned the half of what was Mr. Taylor's farm, being the same that Mr. John Hattie now owns. He built the house in which Mr. Hattie now lives. He sold out and went with his father and the rest of the family to Ohio in 1815. He and his wife both died there some time ago. John Johnson, their third son, was born December 16th, 1785. Thomas Johnson, their fourth son, was born October 3rd, 1788. He died when young. Archibald Johnson, their fifth son, was born July 27th, 1791. He was a minister of the Gospel in the United States. Gavin Roat, their sixth son, was born March 22nd, 1796. Grizzel Roat Johnson, their daughter was born March 10th, 1794.
John Hunter, the only son of Robert and Esther, was born in 1761. He inherited his father's property in Truro until 1806. He then exchanged farms with William Smith and removed to Middle Stewiacke, to the farm that John Putnam lived and died upon. He sold out there to Timothy Putnam, in 1815, and removed to Ohio. He died there a bachelor some time ago.
Janet, the third daughter of Robert and Esther Hunter, was born in Truro, January 18th, 1763. She was married to Timothy Putnam about the year 1785. They settled at Middle Stewiacke, on the farm which Mr. David Fisher now occupies, where they spent the remainder of their lives. She died February 26th, 1841, aged 78 years. Mr. Putnam died October 9th, 1840, aged 84 years.
Letitia Putnam, their eldest daughter, was born in the year 1786. She was married to James Rutherford, Senr., 1808. They had one son and six daughters. She died April 27th, 1824, aged 38 years.
Robert, the oldest son of Timothy and Janet Putnam, was born July, 1788. He was married to Jane, daughter of William and Mary Cox, of Upper Stewiacke, January, 1814. He resided on the farm on which his son William now lives.
Eleanor, the eldest daughter of Robert and Janet Putnam, was born October 27th, 1814. She was married to Robison Rutherford. Jane Putnam, their second daughter, was born June 20th, 1817. She was married to William Fisher. They had sons and daughters. Mrs. Putnam died July 7th, 1817. He was married again to Elizabeth, third daughter of William and Ann Flemming, July, 1821. They had three sons and two daughters. He started to go to New York for the improvement of his health and died on board the vessel in New York harbour, July 10th, 1839, aged 51 years.
Timothy, the second son of Timothy and Janet Putnam, was born October 26th, 1790. He was married to Ruth, the youngest daughter of Adam and Eleanor Dunlap, February 14th, 1828. They had six sons and six daughters. He inherited his father's farm. He died July 17th, 1852, aged 62 years. Mrs. Putnam died August 7th, 1851, aged 49 years.
John the third son of Timothy and Janet Putnam, was born May, 1793. He was married to Jane, daughter of John Corbett and Mary Flemming, January, 1820. He settled on the farm that William Kennedy first settled on in 1780, and was afterwards owned by William Smith and John Hunter. They had three sons and six daughters. He died November 14th, 1870, aged 77 years. His wife died October 24th, 1857, aged 62 years. Esther, the second daughter of Timothy and Janet Putnam, was born December 31st, 1796. She was married to James Barnhill, March 17th, 1818. They had three sons and five daughters. She died May 3rd, 1868, aged 72 years. Elizabeth, the youngest daughter of Timothy and Janet Putnam, was born 1799. She was married to James Dunlap, February, 1820. She had one son. She died suddenly, April 14th, 1821, aged 22 years.
Alice, the fourth daughter of Robert and Esther Hunter, was born in Truro, July 18th, 1766. She was married to Alexander Barnhill in 1785. They had two sons and three daughters. She died December 22nd, 1831, aged 65 years. Her husband died September 22nd, 1813, aged 47 years. Margaret Hunter, their fifth daughter, was born in Truro, August 4th, 1769. She was married to Samson, son of Samson Moore and Martha Archibald, his wife, December 31st, 1795. They had one son and one daughter. She died in 1816, aged 47 years. Her husband died in 1818, aged 51 years. Esther, the youngest daughter of Robert and Esther Hunter, was born June 10th, 1772. She was married to William Smith, February 28th, 1793. They had four sons and three daughters. She died May 10th, 1835, aged 63 years. Her husband died November 3rd, 1853, aged 86 years.
