Hooker Dorchester (b. May 08, 1788, d. April 07, 1835)
Hooker Dorchester (son of Alexander Dorchester and Anna Cowles) was born May 08, 1788 in Richmond (Berkshire County), Massachusetts, and died April 07, 1835 in Hounsfield (Jefferson County) New York. He married (1) Mercy Thompson on 1814 in Hounsfield (Jefferson County) New York. He married (2) Mariah Van Schaick on 1825 in Hounsfield (Jefferson County) New York, daughter of Michael Van Schaick and Caroline Truax.
Notes for Hooker Dorchester: With the onset of the War of 1812, Hooker volunteered along with his father Alexander Dorchester. Hooker would later serve as a corporal in Captain Elisha Camp's Volunteer Artillery Company. Hooker was at Sackets Harbor on Lake Ontario when the British attacked the village. He helped cut the oak for the warship "New Orleans" and it went into service there. After the war, Hooker settled in Hounsfield (Jefferson County), New York, where his family with his first wife Mercy Thompson Dorchester grew toa daughter Delia Ann; and two sons Henry Cowles Dorchester and Alfred Thompson Dorchester. On May 11, 1825, Hooker lost his wife and she was buried in the Muscalunge Cemetery, currently viewable on Cape Vincent. Shortly after Mercy's death, Hooker married Maria Van Schaick, then just a scant fifteen years old. In May 1825, their first daughter Martha was born in Hounsfield; just six months after their wedding date. Hooker and Maria eventually had a son Andrew Jackson Dorchester, and three more daughters Alvira, Catherine and Caroline. Medical records indicate Caroline was profoundly mentally retarded. Little further information about her exists. On April 6, 1835, Hooker Dorchester was killed by a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the age of 47. Speculation abounded with many questions still unresolved. The finding of an "accidental" gunshot wound was contested by Hooker's first three children. They cited his extensive experience with firearms as a hunter and a military man. Hooker's death divided the two groups of children and the rift was apparently never closed.
More About Hooker Dorchester: Fact 1: April 06, 1835, Hooker Dorchester dies from a self inflicted "accidental" gunshot wound..
More About Hooker Dorchester and Mercy Thompson: Death of one spouse: May 11, 1825, Hounsfield (Jefferson County) New York. Marriage: 1814, Hounsfield (Jefferson County) New York.
Marriage Notes for Hooker Dorchester and Mercy Thompson: Mercy Dorchester's death at just 34 years old, was a shock to the community. She was buried in the Muscalunge Cemetery, Hounsfield, New York.
More About Hooker Dorchester and Mariah Van Schaick: Marriage: 1825, Hounsfield (Jefferson County) New York.
Children of Hooker Dorchester and Mariah Van Schaick are:
+Martha Dorchester, b. November 1825, Jefferson County, New York, d. July 18, 1913, Hemlock, (Saginaw County), Michgan.
+Andrew Jackson Dorchester, b. September 23, 1827, Hounsfield (Jefferson County) New York, d. August 09, 1904, Bellevue, (Jackson County), Iowa.
Hooker Dorchester (b. May 08, 1788, d. April 07, 1835)
Notes for Hooker Dorchester: