Samuel "Sam" Hunter is a ranch-hand who lives and works on the King family ranch of Croatoa; he works alongside Myrta Applegate raising Granians.
Sam is "an old wizard with bristly gray sideburns" who often wears "a straw farmer's hat." His brother's family lives in Hudson Territory, and he visits them "every few years" during the holidays. In November 2009, he accompanied Alexandra Quick, Valeria White, and Thalia and Julia King to the Thanksgiving Blessing, and stayed at Croatoa for Thanksgiving dinner.
During the Summer of 2010, Hunter drove the Thestral-drawn carriage across the sound to carry Alex, Julia and Thalia from Croatoa to New Roanoke.