Harriette Evelyn HUNT (1867-1944)

Harriette Evelyn Hunt (1867-1944) was the youngest daughter of a former Vicar of Badsey, the Reverend Thomas Hunt.  The Sladdens kept in contact with the Hunt family following Reverend Hunt’s death and Harriette is mentioned in a letter of 26^th November 1915 written by Ethel Sladden to her mother.

Harriette was born at Badsey Vicarage on 2^nd April 1867, the youngest of six children of Thomas Henry Hunt and his wife, Charlotte.  She was baptized in St James’ Church, Badsey, on 26^th May 1867.

Reverend Hunt had become Vicar of Badsey in 1852.  The Hunt family left Badsey in 1887 on Reverend Hunt’s retirement.  Within seven years of her father’s retirement, Harriette lost firstly her mother, who died in November 1887, and then three siblings, Alexander in 1888, Hamilla in 1891 and Helen in 1894.  Reverend Hunt himself died in 1896 at his family home, Ruyton Park, Shropshire, which he had rebuilt after leaving Badsey.

For a time following her father’s death, Ruyton Park was let out but, at the time of the 1911 census, Harriette was living there with her brother, Thomas Charles Hunt (known as Charles).  Ruyton Park was ultimately sold in 1939 by Charles’ widow, Ida.

Late in life, Harriette married her second cousin, Rowland Hunt, in 1932 in Kensington.  Rowland had grown up at Boreatton Hall, Baschurch, Shropshire, which had been the seat of the Hunt family since around 1700.  Rowland’s first wife, Georgina Veronica (known as Veronica), had died in 1924.  Harriette became step-mother to his three grown-up children:  Rowland Edward Brian (1892-1966), Benedict Philip Gerald (1894-1958) and Marigold Veronica (1905-1994).  Rowland had been Member of Parliament for Ludlow from 1903-1918; he was elected as a Liberal Unionist then briefly joined the National Party, then the Conservatives.

Rowland died in November 1943.  A year later, Harriette died at Linley Green, Broseley, Shropshire, on 14^th November 1944.  She left effects of £13,179 4s 2d.