Jesse Hunt | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Portrait of Hunt | |
| 8th Mayor of Baltimore | |
| In office November 1832 – August 11, 1835 | |
| Preceded by | William Steuart |
| Succeeded by | Samuel Smith |
| Member of theMaryland House of Delegates | |
| In office 1829–1831 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1793-07-03)July 3, 1793 |
| Died | December 8, 1872(1872-12-08) (aged 79) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Resting place | Green Mount Cemetery Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Margaret Yundt (died 1860) |
| Children | 7 |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Signature | .jpg) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | Washington Blues (5th Maryland Regiment) |
| Conflicts | |
Jesse Hunt (July 3, 1793 – December 8, 1872) wasMayor of Baltimore from November 1832 to August 11, 1835. He resigned office following abanking crisis in which, as a director of the failed bank, he was personally implicated.
Jesse Hunt was born on July 3, 1793, inGreen Spring Valley,Baltimore County, Maryland. He was a descendant of a pioneer family ofCalvert County. His father moved from Calvert County to Green Spring Valley in 1760. In 1808, he served as an apprentice at the house of William and Richard Hall, asaddlery inBaltimore.[1][2]
Hunt enlisted in the volunteer army and helped raise the companyWashington Blues, a division attached to the5th Maryland Regiment and was at theBattle of North Point in 1814 during theWar of 1812. He later became a lieutenant and resigned his commission in 1822.[1]
In 1815, Hunt started to work in the saddlery and harness-making business. He was elected to theMaryland House of Delegates in 1829, 1830 and 1831.[1] In 1832, he was nominated for mayor and was elected under theDemocratic ticket, defeatingJacob Small.[1][3] He was re-elected in 1834.[1]
In 1834, theBank of Maryland, of which Hunt was a director, experienced aliquidity crisis and collapsed. Months passed and creditors grew tired of waiting in vain for a settlement, and violence soon followed. On August 6, 1835, a mob gathered and broke the windows of the house ofReverdy Johnson one of the bank's directors. Jesse attempted to protect his colleague's home, but was unable to prevent the destruction of that and many other bank directors' homes, including - eventually - his own.
Hunt, having lost control of the city, resigned five days later, on August 11, 1835.[4] After resigning, Hunt was elected as City Register and served in that position for ten years. He became the first president of Eutaw Savings Bank and served in that position until 1871.[1]
Hunt married Margaret Yundt and she died in 1860.[1] He had seven children.[2] He died on December 8, 1872, at his home in Baltimore. He was buried atGreen Mount Cemetery in Baltimore.[1][2]
| Preceded by | Mayor of Baltimore 1832–1835 | Succeeded by |
