Historic Pelham Blog Archive
December 15, 2006

350TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION BOOK:  "THOMAS PELL AND THE LEGEND OF THE PELL TREATY OAK" -- $11.95 (PROCEEDS AFTER PRINTING COSTS WILL GO TO BARTOW-PELL MANSION MUSEUM).  CLICK HERE TO BROWSE BEFORE YOU BUY! LEARN MORE.

John Hunter, owner of Hunter's Island, was one of the most illustrious residents of the Town of Pelham during the 19th Century. I have published to the Historic Pelham Blog a number of postings detailing aspects of John Hunter's life including:

Friday, December 2, 2005: John Hunter of Hunter's Island in Pelham, New York

Wednesday, December 14, 2005: New Information About John Hunter's Acquisition of Hunter's Island in the Manor of Pelham

Thursday, April 27, 2006: Burial Place of John Hunter (1778 - 1852) of Hunter's Island

Monday, August 14, 2006: An Early Account of a Visit to Hunter's Island and John Hunter's Mansion in Pelham

Monday, August 28, 2006: John Hunter of Hunter's Island in Pelham Obtained Special Tax Relief in 1826

Tuesday, November 21, 2006: John Hunter Loses a Debate in the State Senate During the Winter of 1841

As reported in at least one local newspaper at the time, U.S. President Martin Van Buren visited John Hunter at his home on Hunter's Island in 1839. There is evidence of a friendship between the men in the presidential papers of Martin Van Buren. Today's Historic Pelham Blog posting collects references to John Hunter contained in a published index of the papers of Martin Van Buren. A citation to the source appears below the quoted references.

"1832 OCT.
Hunter, John. New Rochelle, [N. Y.] To Martin Van Buren, Albany. The Ward party; political news from other counties; Hamilton's advice like that of the Opposition; his own candidacy. A. L. S. 3 p. 'Confidential. To be delivered immediately.'" [Page 188]

"1838 JULY 10
Hunter, John. New York. To Martin Van Buren, Washington. Bronson or Foster for the vacant judgeship; political aspects of New York; etc. A. L. S. 3 p." [Page 349]

[1838] FEB. [5]
Hunter, John. Albany. To Martin Van Buren, Washington. The passage of the [Act in relation to small bills] 'suspending the law of 1835,' in the New York Senate; its chances in the Assembly; the Assembly debate on Holly's anti-subtreasury bill; etc. A. L. S. 2 p." [Page 365]

1839 DEC. 31
Hunter, John. Albany. To Martin Van Buren, Washington. New York politics. A. L. S. 3 p." [Page 385]

"[1840] JUNE 2
Hunter, John. Hunter's Island, [New York]. To Martin Van Buren, [Washington]. The record of the State Legislature; the political situation; etc. A. L. S. 4 p." [Page 397]

"[1840] JULY 4
Hunter, John. Hunter's Island, [N. Y.] To Martin Van Buren, Washington. The political situation; the dangerous power of John C. Spencer through the [school] law of 1839; etc.; inclosing documents to be returned for the Rough Hewer. A. L. S. 3 p." [Page 401]

"[1840] AUG. 20
Hunter, J[ohn]. Saratoga Springs. To Martin Van Buren, Washington. Describing a Whig meeting at Saratoga, Aug. 19. A. L. S. 3 p." [Page 405]

"1841 JUNE 5
Van Buren, M[artin]. Kinderhook. To John Hunter and others, [Albany]. Reply to the address of the Democratic members of the New York Legislature, [May 25]. L. S. 9 p. (Correspondence printed: Globe, 1841, June 24)." [Page 427]

"[1842?] FEB. 4
Hunter, John. [Albany]. To Martin Van Buren, Kinderhook. Nominations for State officers in last night's caucus; lack of opportunity 'to introduce the name of my young friend' [John Van Buren?]; etc. A. L. S. 2 p." [Page 439]

"1844 JULY 9
Hunter, John. Hunter's Island, [N. Y.] To Martin Van Buren, Kinderhook. Divisions in the Democratic party of New York in 1843; Wright's request that he write the legislative address; the situation of the Legislature; his own wish to abandon politics; gratification at Van Buren's letter, [July] 1; etc. A. L. S. 3 p." [Page 538]

Source: West, Elizabeth Howard, ed., Library of Congress - Calendar of the Papers of Martin Van Buren Prepared from the Original Manuscripts in the Library of Congress by Elizabeth Howard West, Division of Manuscripts (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office 1910).

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posted by Blake A. Bell @ 5:00 AM Comment

Click Here To View the Actual Blog Posting for December 15, 2006.

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