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The Hooper family from the Charlotte County area of New Brunswick, Canada (Deer Island, Campobello Island, St. George and Back Bay) had its beginnings after the Revolutionary War (in what was to become the United States), around 1784. Richard Hooper and his sons, William and James, came to this area in a variety of ways but all came as Loyalists to the Crown of England.
William was recruited into the Royal Fencible Americans (RFA) by Colonel Joseph Goreham and is listed on the muster rolls of Fort Cumberland (Beausejour) in what is today Aulac, N.B., as a Private. He was in attendance at that fort during the Patriot insurrection of November 1776 when the Loyalists won the day and fought off the invaders. This one act of intense loyalty made the difference between this area becoming a part of the United States or staying independent to eventually become the Dominion of Canada.
James was a member of the 6th Connecticut branch of the American Army in New Haven, CT. He deserted on August 27, 1777 and joined as a Private in the RFAs on the same day under the command of Captain Lieutenant Phillip Bailey (who was a subordinate officer to Colonel Goreham). It is speculated by a local historian/genealogist that perhaps they got better pay and allowances if they came to the RFAs already fitted out with a rifle and some ammunition.
Their father is listed as one Richard Hooper, but he is the illusive stumbling block of this genealogical search. Although many Hoopers are listed in different parts of the Colonies during the colonial period, there are few Richard's and the ones who are listed, either did not procreate to the best of my knowledge or did not have William and James as sons.
This branch of the Hooper family is having its DNA tested for the website www.hooperconnections.com and hopefully, after that is finished and posted to the sight, we will find some connection to the rest of the Hooper clan who still live in the U.S. and eventually back to jolly old England.
Until that time, check out my website www.home.cogeco.ca/~drhooper for photographs of the Charlotte County area and other beautiful parts of Canada. If you have any information, no matter how small, feel free to contact me at work: dorothea.hooper@dhs.gov or at home: drhooper@cogeco.ca and have a great family search!
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