Constituency Dates
Winchelsea 1768 – 20 Oct. 1769
Family and Education
b. c.1716, o.s. of Maj.-Gen. Robert Hunter, gov. of New York 1710-9 and of Jamaica 1729-34, by Elizabeth, da. and h. of Sir Thomas Orby, 1st Bt., of Crowland, wid. of Lord John Hay. m. 4 Apr. 1749, Jacomina Caroline, da. of Hon. William Bellenden, gd.-da. of John, 2nd Lord Bellenden [S], 4s. 3da. suc. fa. 1734.
Offices Held

Dep. paymaster of forces in Flanders 1742 – 48; commissary to treat with France 1748; ld. of Admiralty Nov. 1756-Apr. 1757 and July 1757-Apr. 1763; superintendent of supplies to the allied armies in Germany Dec. 1758 – Apr. 1760; ld. of Treasury Apr. 1763–1765.

Address
Main residences: Crowland, Lincs.; Waverley Abbey, Surr.
biography text

Hunter was returned on the Treasury interest in 1741, when Walpole evicted Bubb Dodington and Robert Bristow from Winchelsea. He owed his appointment as deputy paymaster in 1742 to Lord Stair.1Pelham to Stair, 24 June 1742, Add. 35453, ff. 160-4. In Parliament he voted regularly with the Administration. The 2nd Lord Egmont wrote of him in his electoral survey of c.1749-50:

Hunter is one of the oldest acquaintances I have and was bred up from a boy with me. I am persuaded he would be glad to act with me, but his engagements and obligations are very strong to Pelham.

He died 20 Oct. 1769.

Author
R.R.S.
Volume
Commons 1715-1754
Notes
  • 1. Pelham to Stair, 24 June 1742, Add. 35453, ff. 160-4.