William Hunter (1843 - 1893)

Born 2 Oct 1843 in Neilston, Renfrewshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Jane Dixon (Donald) Hunter — married 30 Jul 1874 in Inverkip, Renfrewshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Died 19 Dec 1893 at age 50 in Macduff, Banffshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

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Biography

William Hunter, son of William Hunter & Elisabeth Sproul, was born on 2 October 1843 and baptised on 25 October 1843 in Neilston, Renfrew, Scotland.^[1]

In the 1851 census, William (age 7), Scholar, was the son of William Hunter in Barrhead, Neilston, Renfrewshire.^[2]

In the 1861 census, William (age 17), University Student, was the son of William Hunter on Main St, Neilston, Renfrewshire.^[3]

William married Jane Donald on 30 July 1874 in Inverkip, Renfrew, Scotland.^[4]

In the 1891 census, William (age 47), Minister Macduff Parish, was the head of household in Manse Gellymill, Gamrie, Banffshire.^[5]

Rev died on 19 December 1893 in Macduff.^[6]

William's obituary was published in the Aberdeen Weekly Journal and General Advertiser for the North of Scotland on 20 December 1893 in Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland.^[7]

Death of the Rev. William Hunter, Macduff

Many will regret to hear of the death of the Rev. William Hunter, minster of the quoad sacra parish of Macduff, which took pluce at the manse at ten o'clock yesterday morning. Mr Hunter had been laid aside from the active duties of the pastorate since September last. For some time previous he was in a state of weak health, but he struggled on till the closing days of September, when failing strength made it necessary that he should give up ministerial duties. It was found that Mr Hunter suffered from a painful internal trouble of a cancerous nature, the removal of which was beyond medical skill. Specialists, both in Glasgow and Aberdeen, were consulted, but with no good result. His strength gradually failed, and after a painful illness of three months he yesterday breathed his last. Since September Mr Hunter's pulpit has been occupied by the Rev. J. D. Anderson, Aberdeen.

The deceased clergyman was a native of Barrhead, near Glasgow, where he was born in 1843. He was educated in arts and divinity at Glasgow University, and was for some year minister of the parish of Hoggs, Denny, In 1871, on the translation of the Rev. R. G. Forrest from Macduff to West Coates, Edinburgh, the parishioners of Macduff recommended the patron of the charge - the Earl of Fife - to appoint Mr Hunter minister of Macduff, and his lordship cordially acquiescing, Mr Hunter received from the congregation an unanimous and hearty call. On 25th April, 1872, Mr Hunter was inducted to the charge by the Presbytery of Turriff. His ministry - begun under cheering and auspicious circumstances close on 22 years ago - has been throughout one of the most successful character. The work connected with a church in which the members number over 1200 was necessarily of an arduous nature, but was undertaken by Mr Hunter with vigour and zeal. By his own flock he was held in great esteem. His winning manner, his kindly thought for all, and his disposition, which partook of that charity which thinketh no evil, made him a favourite not only in his congregation but among the general community, by whom from the first he was held in high esteem. His pulpit ministrations were very much appreciated. In all matters that had for their object the moral or material wellbeing of the community, or more especially the relief of suffering, Mr Hunter's best efforts were put forth.

Since the passing of the Education Act Mr Hunter had been a member of the Parish School Board, in the affairs of which he took a deep and practical interest. His ministerial position gave him a seat at the Parochial Board, in the conduct of whose affairs his intimate and local knowledge, and his mature and discriminating judgment, were frequently acknowledged to be of the greatest service, Mr Hunter was also a member of the governing body of Murray's Institution. In the management of this school he uniformly evinced the greatest interest. It was largely through his efforts that a scheme for providing the children with hot dinners was originated. In the poorer section of the community he will be sorely missed.

By the death of Mir Hunter the presbytery of Turriff will lose one of their most valued and one of their oldest members.

Mr Hunter married Miss Jane Donald, a native of Glasgow, and he is survived by a family of two sons and a daughter.

Sources

1. ↑ Baptism: "Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950". Original data: Scotland, Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013. Ancestry Record 60143 #23949064 (accessed 6 April 2024)
   William Hunter baptism on 25 Oct 1843 (born 2 Oct 1843), son of William Hunter & Elisabeth Sproul, in Neilston, Renfrew, Scotland.
2. ↑ 1851 Census: "1851 Scotland Census". Parish: Neilston; ED: 12; Page: 8; Line: 15; Roll: CSSCT1851_122; Year: 1851; Roll: CSSCT1851_122; Household schedule number: 29. Ancestry Record 1076 #1507960 (accessed 6 April 2024)
   William Hunter (7) son, Scholar, in household of William Hunter (40) in Barrhead, Neilston, Renfrewshire. Born in Neilston, Renfrewshire.
3. ↑ 1861 Census: "1861 Scotland Census". Parish: Neilston; ED: 15; Page: 9; Line: 2; Roll: CSSCT1861_79; Registration Number: 572; Roll: CSSCT1861_79; Household schedule number: 49. Ancestry Record 1080 #819270 (accessed 6 April 2024)
   William Hunter (17) son, Nuivexzity Student, in household of William Hunter (50) on Main St in Neilston registration district. Born in Barrhead, Renfrewshire.
4. ↑ Marriage: "Scotland, Select Marriages, 1561-1910". Original data: Scotland, Marriages, 1561-1910. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013. Ancestry Record 60144 #296518 (accessed 6 April 2024)
   William Hunter marriage to Jane Donald on 30 Jul 1874 in Inverkip, Renfrew, Scotland.
5. ↑ 1891 Census: "1891 Scotland Census". Parish: Gamrie; ED: 7; Page: 1; Line: 10; Roll: CSSCT1891_44; Registration Number: 155A/2; Roll: CSSCT1891_44; Household schedule number: 2. Ancestry Record 1108 #861440 (accessed 6 April 2024)
   William Hunter (47), Minister Macduff Parish, head of household in Manse Gellymill, Gamrie, Banffshire in Macduff registration district. Born in Barrhead, Renfrewshire.
6. ↑ Probate: "Scotland, National Probate Index (Calendar of Confirmations and Inventories), 1876-1936". Original data: Commissary Clerk of Edinburgh under the Sheriff Courts Act, 1876. Calendar of Confirmations and Inventories. Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 60558 #69839 (accessed 6 April 2024)
   Rev William Hunter probate. Died 19 Dec 1893 in Macduff.
7. ↑ 1893 Newspaper: "Newspapers.com". Aberdeen Weekly Journal and General Advertiser for the North of Scotland (Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland) Wed, 20 Dec 1893, page 5. Newspapers Clip: 144865126 (accessed 6 April 2024)