Edward Hunt arrived in Sydney in 1814 and soon rose to prominence in that city. He was a cabinet maker and involved in religious and charitable matters. In 1842 became a founding member of Sydney City Council and in 1858 he was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Council

New South Wales Legislative Council

The New South Wales Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the parliament of New South Wales in Australia. The other is the Legislative Assembly. Both sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney. The Assembly is referred to as the lower house and the Council as...

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In 1821 Hunt married Hannah Padgett Mason in St John's Church, Parramatta. Two daughters, both named Hannah, are recorded: the first was born 1825 and died 1828, the second born 1828.

In 1847 Hunt built a fine residence named Hampton Villa in the Sydney suburb of Balmain. Hunt died in this house in December 1866.