Gilbert Hunt

Hunt first gained public attention in 1811 when he helped save nearly a dozen women caught in a fire at the Richmond Theater. Returning from worship at the Baptist Church, he was about to begin dinner when, "I was startled by the cry that the theater was on fire," Hunt recalled in biographical pamphlet published in 1859. "My wife's mistress called to me and begged me to hasten to the theater, and if possible, save her only daughter - a young lady who had been teaching me my book every night and one whom I loved very much."

By the time he arrived at the theater, a doctor inside had led the women from the lobby and lifted them to a window.

"I . . . got a stepladder and placed it against the walls of the burning building . . . I looked up and saw Dr. McCaw standing near one of the top windows and calling to me to catch the ladies as he handed them down." Hunt broke each one's fall.

McCaw leaped to the ground, breaking his leg. Hunt dragged him to safety moments before a burning wall fell where he had lain; 72 perished in the blaze. In 1823, Hunt signed on with the Richmond volunteer fire brigade and was present at another major fire, this one at the State Penitentiary. He helped break the bars to rescue 224 prisoners trapped inside. Ironically many of the prisoners wore the shackles Hunt made in his blacksmith shop.

Hunt had learned the blacksmith's trade as a young slave. Considered valuable skilled property, he was sold and sold again. During the War of 1812 , he worked for the Army. He made carriages for cannons, grappling hooks for boarding vessels, pick-axes and horseshoes.

"We worked night and day, not even stopping to rest on the Sabbath day ... During all this time, my master gave me complete control of the whole shop," he said.

Hunt longed to be free. By December, 1829 , he'd saved enough money to purchase his own freedom.Independent and relatively well-off, Hunt joined a colonization movement among free blacks. Soon after he bought his freedom, he boarded the schooner Harriet and sailed for Liberia, established to be a free black republic on Africa's western coast.

While in Liberia, Hunt traveled to settlements away from the coast. His explorations may have been an effort to assess economic possibilities, and he may have found those possibilities too limited for a venture by a man of nearly 50.

Hunt returned to Richmond within a year and began advising free blacks against going to Liberia. For that, he was criticized as "a complete croaker" who was "doing his utmost to prejudice the minds of the col'd free among us," by Benjamin Brand, a white publicist for efforts to colonize Liberia.

Hunt remained in Richmond, becoming more active in the church, establishing his own business and acquiring property. According to one source he came to own two slaves. Since Virginia law the only slaves free blacks could purchase were family members, Hunt's slaves may have been his own children.

Ever one to speak his mind and willing to criticize whites and blacks alike, Hunt had some contentious relationships. His life illustrates the complexity of black private life in Richmond as much as it reflects his public courage.

Gilbert Hunt died in 1863.