Background
Hunt was born in Hoath, near Reculver, in Kent, England, circa 1568.
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Robert Hunt
Edit ProfileEducation
In 1603 he had become a student in Trinity Hall, Cambridge, it being recorded under July 6 of that year that "Robertus Hunt electus Scholaris Dris Hervye ad 12d". He proceeded LL. B. in 1606. While no conclusive proof is at hand, dates and other circumstances make it possible that he is the person referred to in the Alumni Oxonienses as "Hunte, Robert of Hants, pleb. Magdalen Hall matric. 14 February 1588-9, aged 20; B. A. 23 November 1592, M. A. 4 July 1595".
Career
He was chaplain of the expedition which founded Jamestown, Va. , and ministered to the settlers until his death. That he held a living in Sussex at the time the expedition was organized is indicated by the fact that in November 1606 a patent was issued to Richard Hakluyt "and to Robert Hunt clerk M. A. vicar of the parish church of Heathfield co. Suss. dioc. Chichester, " permitting them "full and free license" to go to Virginia and, without giving up their parishes in England, to hold "one or more benefices, church dignities, or cures in the said parts of Virginia or America". Hunt became vicar of Heathfield in 1602. One month before the expedition sailed he made a will. A comparison of the signature with that on the parish records of Reculver, County Kent, proves that Robert Hunt of Heathfield was the same Robert Hunt who was vicar of Reculver from 1594 to 1602, and not son of the latter, as has been frequently conjectured. Certain conditions imposed upon his bequest to her indicate an unhappy state of affairs in the home, which may have had something to do with his desire to go to America.
According to Capt. Edward-Maria Wingfield, the first president of the Council in Virginia, it was at his suggestion that Hunt was chosen to go to Virginia. "For my firste worke (Wch was to make a right choice of a spirituall pastor) I appeale to the remembraunce of my Lo. of Caunt. his grace, who gaue me very gracious audience in my request. And the world knoweth whome I took wth me: truly, in my opinion, a man not any waie to be touched wth the rebellious humors of a popish spirit, nor blemished wth ye least suspicion of a factius Scismatick, whereof I had spiall care". John Smith, however, says that the position was offered to Richard Hakluyt, prebend of Westminister, "who by his authority sent master Robert Hunt, an honest, religious, and couragious Divine". The patent issued to Hakluyt and Hunt, mentioned above, indicates that Hakluyt probably had a hand in the appointment.
He sailed with the other members of the expedition on December 19, 1606, but adverse winds kept them for six weeks in sight of England, "all which time, " says a member of the party, "Master Hunt our preacher, was so weake and sicke, that few expected his recovery. Yet although he were but twentie myles from his habitation (the time we were in the Downes) and notwithstanding the stormy weather, nor the scandalous imputations (of some few, little better then Atheists, of the greatest ranke amongst us) suggested against him, all this could never force from him so much as a seeming desire to leaue the business". At sea and on the land he was the peacemaker of the contentious company, with the "water of patience, . .. godly exhortations (but chiefly through his devoted examples), " quenching the flames of envy and dissension. After the arrival at Jamestown, he ministered at first under a sail attached to trees; later, in a "homely thing like a barne, " which served as a church. As long as he lived the settlers had prayers morning and evening, two sermons on Sundays, and Holy Communion every three months.
In the fire that occurred January 17, 1608, the church, all Hunt's books, and everything he had but the clothes on his back were consumed, yet none ever heard him repine at his losses. The physical hardships soon proved too severe for him, however, and he died shortly prior to June 12, 1608, probably, since his will was probated July 14, 1608, and the last vessel, before that date, which could have brought the news of his death, left Virginia June 12.
Achievements
Personality
Contemporary references to Hunt agree in characterizing him as a man of the highest character and the most unselfish devotion.
Connections
His wife was Elizabeth Edwards of St. Margarets, Canterbury, whom he married in 1597.
