The Hungerfords were early settlers in Connecticut, probably the earliest of record being Thomas Hungerford, of New London, who died, 1663. On the road leading from New London to Nahantick Bar (Rope Ferry) is a large single rock of granite that was popularly known in early days as "Hungerford's Fort." It was also known on proprietary records as "The Great Rock called Hungerford's Fort." The tradition is that a daughter of the family pursued by a hungry wolf retreated to this rock, and with a club which she picked up beat off the desperate animal until assistance came. David Hungerford, of Farmington, Connecticut, was a soldier in the French war, and died near Saratoga, New York, of camp fever, aged forty-five years.
(I) The first Hungerford of record in Albany county is John, who was born in Connecticut, supposedly of the New London family founded by Thomas. He settled in the town of Berne, Albany county, New York, on land yet owned by his descendants. He married and had issue.
(II) Stephen, son of John Hungerford, was born on the homestead in Berne, where he lived his entire life, which was devoted to agriculture. He still further improved and cleared the farm. He married Hannah Deval and had issue; among whom was a son Daniel.
(III) Daniel, son of Stephen and Hannah (Deval) Hungerford, was born in the town of Berne, Albany county, New York, about 1800, died in 1864. He lived on and owned the farm originally settled by his grandfather, now owned by his descendants. He was successful in business. He was a member of the Dutch Reformed church, and a Democrat. He married Hannah Stalker, born in Berne; she survived her husband, and died in Berne, aged eighty years. She was of English birth, and also attended the Dutch Reformed church. Children:
- Alfred, a farmer of Berne, New York, where he died in old age; married Harriet Winne, who died in Berne; three sons and two daughters.
- Alexander, mentioned below.
- Henry, a farmer of Berne, and New Scotland, where he died in middle life; he married Emma Matthias; child,
- Harley, deceased in manhood.
- Oliver Morgan, a graduate of Albany Law School; admitted to the bar, and practiced his profession in the city of Albany where he stood high as a lawyer and an upright and honorable man; deceased; married Emmeline Conger, who survives him and resides in the west; children: Emma, Jessie, Hannah, all married.
- Isaac, a farmer of Berne; succeeded to the family acres, where he died an old man: married Elizabeth Oliver, of Berne, who died there; children: Ada, Luther, Jennie, all married.
- Magdalene, born in Berne: married James Van Dusen, a farmer; both deceased: children: Susan and Ida, both married.
- Maria, born in Berne; married Morgan Allen, a farmer of Berne; both deceased; children: Leslie and Alta, married.
- Helen, born in Berne; married William Flagler; removed to New York City, where both died, leaving two daughters.
- Emily, unmarried; lives on the old homestead with her nephew Luther.
(IV) Alexander, son of Daniel and Hannah (Stalker) Hungerford, was born in Berne, New York, 1823, died in Guilderland, January 7, 1904. He was reared a farmer and followed that occupation all his active years in the towns of Berne, and Guilderland, New York. He was a man of energy and high character. He believed in the "square deal," and in all his transactions observed the most scrupulous regard for exactness in statement and fact. He was a member of the Reformed church and a staunch Democrat. He married, in New Scotland, Mary, born in that town in 1826, died July, 1908, daughter of Jacob and Barbara (Freyer) Van Schaick, of New Scotland, New York. Jacob Van Schaick died in middle life, his wife living to a great age. They were both members of the Reformed church, as was their daughter Mary. Children of Alexander and Mary (Van Schaick) Hungerford:
- Daniel, born in Berne; married Philena Dearstein; children living: Nettie and Nellie; both married.
- John, died 1909; married Eve Ann Winne, who survives him; child,
- Bertha, married Albert Hollenbeck, and has Vera and Verner, and a child yet unnamed.
- Elma, born in Berne; married Isaac McNary, a retired farmer of Bethlehem; children: Mary, Eva and Ira, all married.
- Lewis A., a carpenter of Altamont, New York; married Anna Dearstein.
- Barbara, married Peter Barkoff, of Altamont, New York, a farmer; children: Mabel and Earl.
- Myron, see forward.
- Sidney A., a graduate of Albany Law School, and is now (1910) a practicing attorney of Albany; married Eva, daughter of John Furbeck (deceased); no living issue.
- Isaac, a farmer and carpenter of Voorheesville; married Mary Becker, of Guilderland.
- Mary, married Jacob Chesboro, a farmer of Guilderland; children: Luther and George.
- Chester, a farmer of Guilderland; married Ella Weaver.
- Ira, a farmer of Guilderland Center; married Mina Becker.
(V) Myron, son of Alexander and Mary (Van Schaick) Hungerford, was born in the town of Berne, Albany county, New York, March 10, 1856. He was educated in the public schools, and settled in Guilderland on a farm of which he was a tenant twenty-two years. During this time he purchased a farm in New Scotland, but continued to operate his rented farm until 1904, when he removed to his own farm in New Scotland, consisting of one hundred and twenty-six acres of tillable land, lying along Norman's Kill and overlooking that beautiful valley of finely-cultivated fields and bountiful orchards. He is a modern, practical farmer, and uses the best methods, giving back to mother earth a full share that she may continue her bounty. All about his estate shows the progressive, careful man of business. He is a lifelong Democrat. He married, in New Scotland, September 15, 1878, Sarah Alice, born in that town, December 10, 1859, daughter of John and Edith (Jacobson) Oliver. She is a member of the Presbyterian church. Although for some years an invalid, Mrs. Hungerford is of bright and cheerful temperament and bears her loss of health with fortitude. They have no children.