Born in New Jersey in 1750,[citation needed] Hufty was a blacksmith by trade. He served as a private in the State militia during the American Revolution, ultimately rising to the rank of major.[1][2] In 1778, he was deemed an enemy of Great Britain in a letter by Lt. Col. Charles Mawhood.[2]
Hufty served on the Board of Chosen Freeholders representing Salem Township, New Jersey, in 1792 before being elected overseer of the poor and collector in 1793. He served as county justice of Salem County in 1797, county judge in 1798, and county justice and judge in 1804. Between 1801 and 1804, he served as county sheriff. He again served on the freeholder board representing Salem Township between 1800 and 1804 and became director of the board in 1801. He served as a member of the New Jersey Legislative Council (now the New Jersey Senate) in 1804, 1806, and 1807. He was a county collector from 1805 to 1808. He served as judge of Orphans Court from 1805 to 1808. He also served as surrogate in 1808.[1]