William Henry HUNT

     William Henry HUNT, son of Henry Harrison HUNT and Sarah BURT, was born on 15 December 1830 in Pine Level, Autauga County, Alabama.¹

William Henry HUNT appeared on a census, enumerated 20 October 1850, in the household of Henry Harrison HUNT and Sarah BURT in Huddleston Beat, Autauga County, Alabama.² He was appointed postmaster on 13 September 1866 in Prattville, Autauga County, Alabama. He also operated a grocery store in downtown Prattville. According to an 1891 map of downtown Prattville hanging in the probate office, William owned the block bound by Third, Tichnor and Factory Streets, including the area known as "Hunt's Alley." A fire that began in the rear of his store, possibly by an arsonist, destroyed his building and several others. His loss was $5,000.³

T. B. Rice who was born 1865 and raised iin Prattville, before later moving to Greensboro, Georgia, wrote several articles in 1942 in which he describes downtown Prattville during his youth. He wrote: "Next was a vacant lot space between Boon's and 'Billy' Hunt's store. Mr. Hunt sold all manner of merchandise, but peanuts and ginger cakes were his long suit. He was a clever man, and I revere his memory. Next came Jake Faber's double store. Mr. Faber was, perhaps, the largest farmer's supply store in Prattville."

He also mentioned Hunt in his second article: "Billy' Hunt did a lot of sitting, also his leg bones were soft, and he was often laid up with a broken leg, however, between breaks he could waddle around fairly well. He too, was a clever man, an honest man, and reared a spendid family of boys."⁴

William married Sarah Rebecca CHAMBLISS, daughter of Allen Mark CHAMBLISS and Elizabeth Jane WHITEHEAD, on 20 April 1870 in Autauga County, Alabama.⁵ He was a shipping clerk with Daniel Pratt Gin Company and continued in that position with Continental Gin Company after the two merged in 1899 in Prattville, Autauga County, Alabama.⁶

On 14 September 1904 William Henry died in Prattville, Autauga County, Alabama, at age 73 leaving Sarah Rebecca a widow.⁷ He was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Prattville, Autauga County, Alabama.

William's obituary was printed on 16 September 1904 in the Prattville Progress newspaper, published in Prattville, Alabama. It read:"The death angel has again visited this section, and this time removed one of the oldest citizens of Prattville.After a lingering illness, Mr. William H. Hunt breathed his last at his home on North Chestnut Street on last Wednesday night. His death was not unexpected, as he had been in ill health for several years.

Mr. Hunt was born December 15th, 1830 and was, therefore in his 74th year. His entire life has been spent in this section.

Mr. Hunt was one of the best known citizens of this county, having been long identified with the business interests of Prattville. By close application and rigid economy he amassed during his early years quite a fortune.

The deceased leaves surviving him four sons, messrs. James, William, Wade, and Jake Hunt, and two daughters, Misses Emma and Ella Hunt. The remains will be interred in Oak Hill Cemetery this morning."^8,9