Tragic Hunt family

[mellomom]

It must have been a real tragedy that made Robert and Aileen Hunt foster out their 5 children. Or was it?

In the 1911 census they were living in No. 16 Curraghrabght (Blarney, Cork), Parish of Garrycloyne. There was Robert Windham Hunt(1867-1940) and his wife Aileen Elmhirst (1875-1940) with their one year old daughter, Ethne Mary (1910-1982). Also Bridget O'Sullivan, a 30 year old parlour maid from Kerry was in the house.
There soon followed 4 more children; Wyndham Norman 1912;  Cecily in 1913; then twin girls Rachel and Faith.

It sounds like a great family and the Hunt grandparents gave support from nearby Limerick but shortly after the twins birth, all the children were sent to live with relatives who brought them up. Ethna was already 6 years old and sent to the UK where she was adopted by her mother's brother, Harry Elmhirst. The twins were separated, one going to aunt Dolly in Dublin.

The reasons for this breakup were kept a big dark secret. No one would talk about it and now that the last of the children has died how will we find out what happened? It can't have been financial reasons as they had a large house and a servant.

The 2 older children married and had children of their own but the 3 younger girls never married and one said that if her father had been a stronger man he would never have allowed the children to be sent away.
Can anyone out there shed any light on the mystery?

[celtic liberty]

Hi,

You say the two older children married and had children of their own, are any of them still living?  Did you check the death notice or an obituary  in the newspaper for 1940's when Amelia died to see if there was any reference to her health?  Did Robert & Aileen continue to live in Blarney?

There is an Angelina Josepha Hunt buried 1884  at St Georges Church of Ireland in Blarney Village, any connection?

Any extra info you might have would help.

Mary

[heywood]

Hello,
It does seem very sad but you seem to doubt it?

As Mary says- have you searched for evidence in the deaths - especially the death certificate of Aileen.
Was there a will or other family documents?

Family Search pilot has Robert's parents as William Lewis Hunt and Mary Brady - is that right?
If so, 1911 census has William L, aged 68 yrs, a widower so he would not be in a good position to help out much.
Perhaps, Aileen had depression or sickness after the children's births and their father couldn't cope.
regards
heywood

[mellomom]

Hi
Thank you both for the replies
I have not found the deaths for either Robert or Aileen. The date of 1940 comes from their 2 great grandchilden (living) whose mother was the eldest child. The mother and her siblings would not talk about it at all - they just said it was too sad to talk about. There are no other family members we could ask. Newspapers would be a good idea - can you please tell me the names of any of the local  papers that may be online (I am in Cape Town so am not familiar with Ireland). Yes William and Mary were the grandparents and you are right about them not being able to give support. Sorry, my arithmatic seems poor. So far no will has come to light. Aileen could have been depressed but it seems a poor reason to part with your children.
Angelina Josepha Hunt isn't part of our family unfortunately although these Hunts also belonged to the COI.
Mel

[aghadowey]

When families get split up it can be difficult to find the facts to back up the bits that have been passed down. Here's a few facts to clarify the details you've started with-

Here's the link to 1911 census- the daughter's name looks like Ethel Mary not Ethne Mary but I can't see a birth for either (there is an Ethel Mary born 1920 Dublin) but no Ethel, or Ethne, Hunt born Cork.
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Cork/Blarney/Curraghnalaght/383499

Irish civil registration index has birth of Robert Wyndham 1868 Limerick registration district volume 10 page 569. Fits with information in 1911 census.
There is a marriage for a Robert Woodham Hunt (Oct./Dec.1909 Dublin South volume 2 page 553). Aileen Melita Elmhurst (Oct./Dec.1909 Dublin South volume 2 page 588 553)- there are 2 entries with the 2 different page numbers on LDS site.
In 1891 Census for England and Wales there's Aileen Melita Elmhirst, age 15, born Malta British Subject.

The civil registration index shows Norman Wyndham Hunt (1913 Cork), Cecily Elmhirst Hunt (Jan./Mar.1914 Limerick). Couldn't find a registration for a Faith Hunt. However, think I did find her as Priscilla Hunt July/Sept.1916 Ennistimon registration district, Co.Clare (volume 4 page 177)- there is an entry for a Rachel Hunt on the same page.

[aghadowey]

Meant to add that Limerick registration (where Robert W. Hunt was born in 1868) is partly in Co. Limerick and partly in Co. Clare.
Only death I could find for him doesn't fit with story of him dying in 1940s- Robert Hunt death Jan./Mar.1921 Limerick registration district (age 52 so born c1869).
I can't find Aileen's death (tried searching for Aileen, Eileen, Ellen, Melita, etc.)

There are all sorts of reasons for family not talking about this sort of thing and at that time children would have been given little or no explaination of what was going on.

[aghadowey]

It seems that Robert Wyndham Hunt married his first cousin Aileen Melita Elmhirst on 20 Nov.1909 (fits with marriage registration I found)- her mother was Frances Dorthea Hunt (both her parents were dead before Aileen's marriage).
See here

Added- this Malta website gives Aileen's birthdate:
http://website.lineone.net/~remosliema/britisharmy1.htm

[mellomom]

Thanks, that info is very useful. Their first child was definitely Ethne Mary born Nov 1910. In the census the writing is rather poor. We have Norman born 'about 1912' so that entry for 1913 must be his. Rachel and Faith were twins and we never heard that Faith was really Pricilla although the family seemed keen on nicknames. It is nice to have some definite dates to work on.
Robert's father was born and lived in Limerick while his mother Mary Brady came from Co. Clare. We haven't been able to confirm Roberts death in 1940 so the one you found is more probable. We have no confirmation of Aileen's 1940 death either.
It would be interesting to know the story behind the family breakup but you are right about children being told very little. Seen and not heard!

[heywood]

I realise that this may not have happened but had Aileen suffered from something like post natal depression or a mental illness, she may well have been institutionalised.