Hunter, Robert, d. 1734, royal governor of New York and New Jersey (1709–19), b. Ayrshire, Scotland. His administration was notably successful. He maintained a vigorous campaign against the French and the Native Americans and cooperated with other colonies in military matters. He allayed the bitter political factionalism that had kept New York and New Jersey in turmoil for several decades, and he also straightened out financial and revenue matters. Hunter was less successful with several thousand Rhenish Palatinate refugees, whom he brought over and settled on the upper Hudson to produce naval stores for England. Unable to secure funds for the project from England or from his assembly, Hunter went in debt to the amount of £21,000 to save the colony. From 1727 until his death he was governor of Jamaica.
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