By Marilyn R. Fitzpatrick

The marriage of Samuel Hunt to Ruth Todd 1 May 1678 is found in Ipswich VRS. The name Ruth is incorrect; it should be Mary Todd.
The Early Settlers of Rowley (George Brainard Blodgette and Amos Everett Jewett, 1933; 1981 reprint Somersworth NH) also lists Ruth, daughter of John Todd, as marrying Samuel Hunt as well as a second marriage for Ruth to John Center, giving under John Center date of about 1686. A child Eleanor Center is given as bp. 11 Dec., 1687 and adding that the record is as follows: "1687 Goodm Center Br Tods son in law daughter Eleanor Decemb 11". No marriage is shown for Mary, daughter of John Todd. The will of John Todd is also given as being dated 13 Feb., 1689-90, and mentioning wife (unnamed); sons John, Timothy, Samuel and James; daughters Mehitable, Ruth and Mary who is to have "so much as will make up what I engaged brother Hunt he performeing what he promist to her husband".
Samuel Hunt's father, also named Samuel, son of William and Elizabeth (___) Hunt, removed from Concord to Ipswich in 1655 according to his deposition and married Elizabeth Redding ("William Hunt of Concord, Massachusetts and the Supposed Wood Connection," The American Genealogist [1954] Vol. 30 page 102-3). Information on Joseph Redding and daughter Elizabeth is found in The Great Migration Begins (Robert Charles Anderson [Boston 1995] Vol. III page 1567).
The birth of Samuel and Mary's son Samuel, 4 February 1678 [?-79], is found in Ipswich VRS with no mother's name given. The births of John Hunt 1680, Elizabeth 1683 and Jeremiah 1685 in Concord VRS also do not list mother; but birth of Elizabeth 1687 and Thomas 1689 show mother to be Mary. Thomas' birth is also found in Billerica VRS as are births of later children.
In February 1691-2 Samuel Hunt of Concord, carpenter, bought land Billerica and Samuel Hunt, of Billerica, late of Concord, carpenter and wife Mary sold land Concord with Samuel Hunt, Sr. of Ipswich quitclaiming son Samuel Hunt all right he had to premises (Middlesex Deeds 11:157; 10:297).
On 28 March 1693, Elizabeth Hunt of Ipswich as executrix of will of father Joseph Redding, with advice of her husband, made division of estate which was acknowledged 5 May 1693 by Elizabeth Hunt wife of Samuel of Ipswich. On 26 March 1690 Samuel Hunt of Concord acknowledged receipt of legacy given him by grandfather Reddings with Mary Hunt signing by mark (The Probate Records of Essex County Massachusetts 1635-1681 [1916-1920; reprint Decorah IA 1988] 2:428-9).
Both Mary and Ruth Todd were alive in 1689-90 (father's will); Samuel's wife was Mary 1687 (birth); birth of Eleanor to John Center and wife calls him son in law of Todd. It was Mary Todd and not her sister Ruth who married Samuel Hunt.