Hunts came early to Norwich where the 1791 US Census shows Simeon Hunt head of a family of one male l6 or over, five males under 16, and three females. In the adjoining town of Strafford was Solomon Hunt with one male 16 or over, three males under 16, and five females. In the 1800 census both families are reported in Norwich. Vermont vital records for both families show some of them in both Norwich and Strafford. These two families provide all (or nearly all) of the many Hunts found in Norwich in the first half of the 19th century.
The identity of Simeon Hunt has been clearly established, son of Simeon-3 Hunt (1713-1795) of Coventry, Ct. (Ebeneezer-2 Hunt of Lebanon, CT, Jonathan-1 Hunt of Northampton, MA). Solomon Hunt appears to have been closely related to Simeon and probably a cousin, but his parents have not been discovered. Details on Simeon Hunt and his family are provided below. The family of Solomon Hunt is provided in the section on Strafford, albeit records on his family are found at both Strafford and Norwich.
Thomas Wyman's 1862-3 Genealogy of the Name and Family of Hunt has much on Simeon Hunt "of Coventry, Ct." (also pioneer at Norwich, VT) and his ancestors and descendants. Also data on the family of Solomon Hunt, contemporary neighbor and probable cousin, albeit his ancestors have not been discovered. The data from Wyman are shown below supplemented by notes from census records, Vermont Vital Records (VVR), and gravestones in Norwich cemeteries.
Simeon Hunt "of Coventry, Ct." (and moved to Norwich, VT, where he died) b. July 8, 1751, son of Simeon Hunt of Coventry, Ct., and brother of Eliphaz (the father of Eliphaz of Hartford, VT,) m.______(prob. the Anna Hunt, widow, who died at Hartford May 23, 1810), had eight children, some, at least, born at Tolland, Ct. Simeon died at Norwich, VT, April 28 or May 29, 1810 (two cards in Vermont Vital Records with different dates, probably April 28 in that his presumed wife Anna died in May as a widow). Children shown by Wyman (p. 188):
1. Reuben, b. 1770, of Norwich, VT, and Fairfax, VT,, m. 22 Feb. 1801 at Norwich, VT,, or Strafford, VT,, (records at both places) Abigail (Nabby) Hunt, dau. of Solomon Hunt of Strafford and Norwich. Reuben died at Fairfax in 1847, his Will executed 20 Jan. 1847, probably soon before his death. Reuben Hunt, Jr., was named executor of the Will. Not mentioned in the Will was wife Abigail who is presumed to have died before 1847, nor the oldest daughter Harriet who appears to have m. twice and may also have died before her father.
2. Chauncy. Wyman says "living in 1862, unmarried" but this appears to be the Chauncy Hunt, b. Tolland, CT ca. 1784, who m. Eunice Burton or Benton at Norwich, VT, Feb. 2, 1809 and died at Norwich, VT, April 7, 1862 at age 77 yrs, 10 mos, and Eunice, wife of "Chancey" Hunt lived until Jan. 28, 1863 when she died in Norwich.
3. Simeon, "of New York" who had children.
4. Eliphalet Hunt (of Norwich, VT, and Johnson, VT), b. 7 Oct. 1779 at Norwich, m. 1st Lucy Goodridge who died at Strafford, VT, 20 Jan.1816; m. 2d at Strafford Catherine Hopkins 25 June 1816; died at Johnson, VT, 18 Sept. 1862. Had four children by first wife and seven children by 2d wife.
5. Anna Hunt, m. ___Hartshorn (per VVR, m. Reuben Hartshorn (?) at Norwich Oct. 21, 1804).
6. Pamela Hunt, m. George Gates.
7. Luther Hunt, b. Jan. 27, 1789, "of Worcester, VT", m. 7 Oct. 1821 Jane Paul (sic., probably Pearl) Abbot who was b. 2 June 1800 and died 18 June 1845. Luther died 18 June 1840. Had five children.
8. Elijah Hunt (died at Norwich April 18, 1810 at age 18 per VVR).
9. John Hunt (not shown by Wyman, see death at Norwich 181?)
