James Hunt

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-145290
• Residence: 1858, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer
• Residence: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Carder
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Methodist

James married Matilda A. Hudson 21 Feb 1858, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Matilda (daughter of Jesse Hudson and Elizabeth Wear) was born 1837, , England; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

1. Violet V. Hunt was born 1866, , Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.

Other Events:

• Business: Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Preston Woollen Mill
• Interesting: life story, business, mill,
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-35820
• Occupation: 1852, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Cloth Manufacturer
• Occupation: 1861, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manufacturer
• Residence: 1861, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Wesley Methodist
• Residence: 1871, Blenheim Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1875, London, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1881, London, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

ROBERT HUNT -1890

Robert Hunt was described as a quiet unassuming man benevolent in disposition, closely attending to his business and possessed of superior tact and business qualities. Mr. Hunt came to Preston in 1845 when he purchased the Preston Woollen Mill from Hiram Kinsman and the following year built Preston's first stone woollen mill. A fire destroyed the mill in 1852 but it was rebuilt and in 1855 Andrew Elliott of Galt became his partner. The men operated the mill under the name of Elliott & Hunt and enlarged the mill in 1857 adding considerable machinery. The mill was on its way to becoming one of the most influential centres for textile production in Waterloo County when in 1865, another fire devastated the company. Discouraged, Mr. Hunt quietly retired from the business leaving its operation to his sons in partnership with Mr. Elliott. The mill was reorganized as a linen mill under the name of Elliott, Hunt and Company only to suffer another fire in 1870 after which it lay idle until the property was sold to William Robinson and Daniel Howell in 1876. The business eventually became Geo. Pattinson & Co., one of Canada's most successful woollen mills and one of Preston's largest employers.


Cambridge Mosaic, Jim Quantrell, 1998, City of Cambridge

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The name of the person who was the real founder of the largest and to the inhabitants of Preston the most important establishment has so far been mentioned only incidentally, but since he well deserves special mention, a brief review of his achievements will no doubt prove interesting. The name of this party is Mr. Robert Hunt, a quiet, unassuming man, benevolent in disposition, closely attending to his business and possessed of superior tact and business qualities. It was about the year 1845 that Mr. Hunt came to Preston. The water privilege now known as that of the Preston Woolen Mills was acquired by purchase in 1832 by one Charles Wiffler, a German blacksmith, who conceived the idea of starting a wool carding shop, but being unable to carry out that idea, he sold the premises, in 1842, to one Hiram Kinsman, who built a frame two story building in which he carried on wool carding for the farmers in the vicinity. Woolen mills, as we know them, were unknown here in those early days. The farmer brought his wool to the carding mill, had it carded, the carder deducting a usual percentage of the wool for his work, and the farmer took home his carded wool. His wife and daughters spun it into yarn and then this yarn was woven into homespun by the weaver who wove by hand loom, the cotton warp being bought in the stores. Mr. Robert Hunt, upon seeing the water power and premises, at once discovered a mine of wealth latent there which only required energy, tact and means to develop. He purchased the premises from Mr. Kinsman in 1845, and set to work with that earnestness, perseverance and forethought which were his peculiar characteristics. The old frame building proved too small, a stone factory was erected and to this were gradually additions and numerous outer buildings. Mr. Hunt's wealth increased with the increase of his premises. A most disastrous fire consumed the whole interior of the main building, but phoenix-like there soon arose from its ashes a large building, filled with the most improved machinery. In 1855 'Mr. Andrew Elliott of Galt became a partner of 'Mr. Hunt and the premises and business were considerably enlarged.

Fifth Annual Report Of The Waterloo Historical Society, 1917

Robert — Viena Claflin. Viena was born 18 Aug 1812, Waterbury Twp., Washington Co., Vermont; died 2 Aug 1872, London, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London, Middlesex Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Viena Hunt
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-35821
• Residence: 1861, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Wesley Methodist

Notes:

Mrs. Viena Hunt, ws born in Vermont, Aug. 18, 1812, married Robert Hunt, May 15, 1833, and came to Canada with him right after their marriage, settling in Waterdown. they lived for 18 years in the village of Preston in Waterloo twp., and for nearly 8 years in Blenheim twp. on Washington circuit. A few months ago, after visiting the children at a distance, Mr. and Mrs. Hunt moved to the city of London, where Mrs. Hunt died, Aug. 2, 1872; predeceased by 2 children. At the time of her death, her youngest daughter was 18, and her youngest son was 17.


Christian Guardian 11 Sep 1871 pg 295

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-33041

James — Margaret. Margaret was born 1772, , Ireland; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Margaret Hunt
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-32541
• Residence: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Wesley Methodist

Notes:

Residence:
Lived with her son Robert.