Captain George Hunt(1830-1882), founder of Huntsville, Ontario, and one of the settlement's prominent citizens in the early years.

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Captain George Hunt (1830-1882), founder of Huntsville, Ontario, and one of the settlement's prominent citizens in the early years.

Notes

Captain George Hunt, an English army officer, born on the island of Corfu in the Mediterranean,came to Huntsville from Quebec in 1869, choosing lots 14 and 15 in the Township of Chaffey, on the east side of the Muskoka River. He petitioned the government for a post office and a continuation of the Muskoka Road north from Ira Fetterley's to the village site. By November of 1869 he brought his wife Sarah and three daughters Lydia, Agnes and Sarah to their new home. He had received the go-ahead to build the road north to his location and was named the first post master and started building the bridge over the Muskoka River, which was finished in 1871. A devote Presbyterian,he donated a lot for the first church built on Church Street. Nearby a one room school was erected just east of Hunt's original dwelling. Hunt's stepmother, Mrs. Robert Hunt, who arrived in 1871 began teaching there. In 1871 a son, John Hunt, was born , the first white child to be born in Huntsville. When Hunt sold lots from his property east of the bridge he inserted a clause which permanently prohibited any liquor to be sold thereon. This gave rise to much local criticism, and as a result, Huntsville's growth began to expand west of the river; stores, homes and the first hotel. Hunt died in 1882 from thyphoid fever and is buried at Madill's Cemetery, south of Huntsville. Mrs. Hunt sruvived him until 1925.

Date of Original

1830-1882

Date Of Event

1830-1882

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