M. Agnes Hunt, a member of this society, was born in
Southampton, N. Y., in 1839, and died in
Somerville November 24, 1903.
Her father,
Rev. Samuel Hunt, preached for many years in
Franklin, Mass.; he was one of the Abolitionists, and for upholding the cause of the negro was dismissed by his parish.
From him and her grandfather, who gave money to found Amherst College, she inherited her strong patriotism; this enabled her as a young girl to send the money given her for a long-coveted black silk dress to the Sanitary Commission when they called for funds during the
Civil War.
She was educated in the district and select schools of
Franklin, the
English and Classical School of
Walpole, Mass., and at Ipswich Female Seminary; she excelled in mathematics.
At the age of twenty-two she was called upon to manage her father's household, and also to attend to the duties in parish work
[
104]
devolving upon the minister's wife, with the result that her health gave way for a time.
She was privileged, as the daughter of an ardent Abolitionist, to meet many noted people, not only at her father's house, but at the home of
Asa Fairbanks in
Providence, a firm friend of
Rev. Mr. Hunt.
Through her father, she met
Wendell Phillips,
Charles Sumner,
William Lloyd Garrison,
Vice-President Henry Wilson, and many others.
In 1873 she came to
Somerville, where she identified herself with the Prospect Hill church, and for a number of years was actively interested in its work, filling several important positions.
During the
Spanish war she was untiring in working for the relief of the soldiers.
She belonged to the
Volunteer Aid. Her patriotism led her to be interested in the Historical Society from its formation, and she was a constant attendant at the meetings.
Miss Hunt was an extremely energetic woman; her cheerfulness during her last illness made the sick room a place where it was a delight to be. Many friends mourn her loss.
