Chester County, Pennsylvania

Chester County, Pennsylvania
Chester County, Pennsylvania

Friday, February 1, 2013

A Neighbor and Friend, Edward Hunter

Edward Hunter of Chester County befriended these missionaries because of the persecution they were experiencing from trying to preach. Mr. Hunter had been taught by his father to belong to no religious sect, but to keep sacred that all men have the right to worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences. He had previously agreed to give a corner of his land for 99 years and help build a house for education and religious purposes. However, the agreement was that all persons and persuasions must be allowed to meet in it to worship God. This was particularly stated in the articles of the agreement and the building was called West Nantmeal Seminary. So, when some of the leading residents wished to prevent the preaching of the LDS missionaries in the West Nantmeal Seminary, Edward Hunter threatened to repossess it. No further objection was raised. https://www.lds.org/ensign/2004/07/edward-hunter-generous-pioneer-presiding-bishop?lang=eng. Edward Hunter would later bring Robert’s eldest son into his home in Utah.

Robert Wright was baptized on his birthday, February 10, 1840 by Elder Elisha H. Davis. Imagine the joy he felt knowing that he would see his mother once again! Then on January 1, 1841 in West Nantmeal Township, Robert Wright was ordained a Priest by Elder Lorenzo Barnes.[1] By April 6th, 1841 Elder L.D. Barnes reported at a conference in Nauvoo that the Chester County branch had 150 members.[2]


[1] “Book of Memoranda,” 1839
[2] R.C. Wetherbee, “Conference Minutes,” Times and Seasons, 14 May 1841, online archives (http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/NCMP1820-1846/id/9099/rec/3: accessed 5 February 2013), para. 11; citing original p. 412.
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8 comments:

  1. UnknownFebruary 2, 2013 at 11:06 AM

    That's so cool you had an ancestor mentioned in the Ensign!

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  2. Sherry MeasomFebruary 2, 2013 at 6:08 PM

    Margaret,

    I love this story. Your ancestors were amazing people, and being raised to accept the truth when they heard it.

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  3. KatyFebruary 2, 2013 at 10:59 PM

    What a cool guy. Not only was he open enough to accept the Gospel, but to take a stand against popular opinion as well. This is what I love about family history!

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  4. hadoo22February 4, 2013 at 9:04 AM

    I love to hear about the conversion stories and influence that we and others have.

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  5. Kimberly CantrellFebruary 4, 2013 at 12:53 PM

    Edward Hunter sounds like an awesome man! I love people like that!

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  6. UnknownFebruary 5, 2013 at 9:37 AM

    What a great influence this man had!

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  7. UnknownFebruary 5, 2013 at 6:14 PM

    What do you mean by "He had previously agreed to give a corner of his land for 99 years and help build a house for education and religious purposes." What happens to the house after the 99 years are over?

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    Replies
    1. M C MurphyFebruary 9, 2013 at 8:40 PM

      That is how the record states the agreement. Edward Hunter had enough land to offer a piece of it to be used for worship and education purposes and agreed to help build the place. Of course, the building belonged to Edward Hunter and after 99 years, it would still belong to him. I shall have to look into it to see what actually happened to this meeting place. After all, Edward Hunter sold his farm and moved to Nauvoo by 1842.

      Delete

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