I am an avid genealogist. The past is very important to me. I spend a lot of time in cemeteries photographing tombstones to upload on website the FindAGrave.
I enjoy recognizing long dead people by putting memorials to them online. However, every once and a while something grabs me about a specific grave. It could be the name, or the dates or a ceramic photo. In those cases, I feel compelled to dig a little deeper. That's what this series of blogs is about: The tales behind those graves. Some of my subjects will be heroes. Some will be villains. Some will be victims. And some will linger in between, like most of us. However, don't be surprised if the tales are inherently tragic. These are grave tales. They all end in death.
The citizens of Baltimore had much to be proud of regarding their conduct during the War of 1812. Their vigorous defense of the city, both at Fort McHenry and at the Battle of North Point, was nothing short of heroic. Our humble city, which was deemed a nest of pirates by the British, was not burned and looted like Washington, D.C.
Baltimore's pride in the "Old Defenders" grew as time passed, particularly after the Civil War. Baltimore was a divided city filled with passionate and often violent successionists and unionists. However, all Baltimoreans regardless of the side they took during that war could take pride in our shared victories against the British Empire. Therefore, as we neared the dawn of the twentieth century, the population seemed to sense the end of an era as the last veterans of that war went to their final reward. This blog is about Captain James Hooper, Jr., the last of the Old Defenders, whose grave I ran across in Green Mount Cemetery.
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| James Hooper, Jr.* |
Before we get to Captain Hooper, let's look at another obituary. When 1898 began, only two of the Old Defenders remained. In February, John Lumberson died leaving Hooper with the title of the last Old Defender. Here's the story:
The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), 7 Feb 1898, Mon:
AN OLD DEFENDER'S DEATH
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Mr. John Lumberson, Who Was A
Drummer In The War Of 1812 And
Soldier In Later Wars.
Mr. John Lumberson, who is said to have been the last survivor but one of the War of 1812, died yesterday at his home, 321 Hanover street, aged ninety-one years. He was a drummer boy in the last war with England and until his death drew a pension for service from the government.
His death leaves Capt. James Hooper as the last survivor of the war of 1812. Captain Hooper was a powder-monkey on his father's boat in the defense of Fort McHenry. Both old men were honorary members of the Society of the War of 1812, and took part in the various celebrations of that society.
Mr. Lumberson was born near Knoxville, Tenn., May 6, 1806. His father was Philip Lumberson, who moved from Pennsylvania to Tennessee. He was a sergeant in the United States Army, and when he became a member of the First Ashley Corps, to which his father was attached, and served as drummer until he was sixteen years of age. He was then made first sergeant of Company B, Fourth Artillery.
During a service of twenty-three years, Mr. Lumberson took part in the war of 1812, the Black Hawk war, the Seminole war and the war with the Creek Indians. In 1827 he was transferred, with his regiment, to Fort McHenry where he remained one year, going then to Fortress Monroe, where he also remained a year. He then returned to Fort McHenry, where he was engaged in building fortifications.
After leaving the army he became a member of the old city watch before the organization of the police department. During the administration of Mayors Swann and Hicks he also served on the police force.
Mr. Lumberson was married in Baltimore May 10, 1832, his wife being Miss Margaret Neucomer. She died in 1878. He leaves one son, Mr. E.L. Lumberson, chief engineer of the steamer Alabama of the Old Bay Line.John Lumberson's death apparently left Captain Hooper as the last remaining veteran of the War of 1812. Sadly, he would only enjoy that distinction for little more than a month.
The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), 15 March 1898, Tues:
CAPTAIN JAMES HOOPER.
Captain James Hooper, a veteran of the war of 1812, who was for many years one of the leading ship agents of this city, died at his home, 121 North Front street, early yesterday morning, aged 94 years. Captain Hooper was in good health until last Sunday night, when he complained of a severe cold. Bronchitis developed, and Dr. James F. McShane was called in. Captain Hooper sank rapidly and expired four hours later. He leaves four sons, Thomas J., Samuel E., George W., and Charles H. Hooper, and four daughters, Mrs. Mary Rex, of St. Louis, Mrs. Julia A. Boyle, Mrs. Annie E. Duncan, of Baltimore, and Mrs. Virginia Clogg, of Walbrook.
The Society of the War of 1812 held a special meeting last night, at which resolutions of regret were adopted upon the death of Mr. Hooper and condolence and sympathy was offered to the family.
The following pallbearers were appointed from the society to attend the funeral:
Honorary--Messrs. Edwin Warfield, Robert T. Smith, Louis P. Griffith, William M. Marine, Ezekiel Mills, Jr., and A. Leo Knott.
Active--Drs. Albert K. Hadel and James D. Iglehart, Messrs. James E. Carr, Jr., Samuel A. Downs, Augustus Bouldin and Robert L. Gill.
To get a better picture of Captain Hooper's life, I am also including the story below which was printed around the time of his 90th birthday.
The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), 6 July 1894, Fri:
Ninety Years Old, But Still Vigorous, --
Mr. James Hooper, of the shipping and commission firm of James Hooper & Co., and agent for the Liverpool Steamship Company, was ninety years old yesterday. A number of friends, including Monsignor McColgan**, called at his home, 1211 West Lexington street, and offered congratulations.
Mr. Hooper is the son of the late James Hooper and was born on Fell's Point, July 5, 1804. In the war of 1812 and 1814, though only a boy, he was on board the schooner Comet, Captain Boyd, which helped defend the port of Baltimore against the attacks of the British. After the war, Mr. Hooper was a sailor for five years, and although he never became captain of a vessel he has had the title of captain all his life.
In 1824, with a five-dollar note as his capital, Mr. Hooper opened a clothing store on Fell's Point. Shortly afterward he began the shipping business, which grew rapidly. Mr. Hooper built the side-wheel steamer Tennessee, and also owned the Palmetto and a number of sailing vessels, including the Pride of the Sea, Annie E. Hooper and William Penn.
He has been married three times, and was the father of sixteen children, nine of whom still live, together with sixty-five grandchildren, thirty-four great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Wow. In addition to his youthful heroism, it also appears that the Captain was able to leave quite an impact of the city's pool of DNA.
Being a prominent Baltimore citizen and businessman, the newspapers were filled with stories about Captain Hooper. They mostly involved various business ventures and committees of which he was a member. He seemed to a live and full and useful life. However, he will always be remembered mainly as the last veteran of the War of 1812.
Thank you for your service, Captain Hooper!
Remember, there is a story behind every grave. You never know what you're missing when you walk past one....
*This picture of James Hooper was posted on the Findagrave memorial by a contributor named fairies. Used without permission.
**Interestingly, the Monsignor would die the same day as John Lumberson. His obituary was on the same page of the newspaper.
Grave Tales:
My novel Chapel Street is now available! You can buy the Kindle and paperback at Amazon and the Nook, paperback and hardcover at Barnes & Noble. Chapel Street is the tale of a young man battling a demonic entity that has driven members of his family to suicide for generations. It was inspired by an actual haunting.
Learn more about the book, click
Here.
Listen to me read some chapters here:
Read about the true haunting that inspired the novel here:
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 1, An IntroductionThe Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 2, The HouseThe Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 3, This Is UsThe Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 4, ArrivalThe Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 5, MethodologyThe Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 6, Clara's Tale, Pt. 1The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 7, Clara's Tale, Pt. 2The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 8, My Tale, Pt. 1The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 9, My Tale, Pt. 2The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 10, My Tale, Pt. 3The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 11, Natalia's Tale, Pt. 1The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 12, Natalia's Tale, Pt. 2The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 13, John's Tale, Pt. 1 The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 14, John's Tale, Pt. 2The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 15, Come Inside!The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 16, Marion's Tale, Pt. 1The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 17, Marion's Tale, Pt. 2The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 18, Jeanne's Tale, Pt. 1The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 19, Jeanne's Tale, Pt. 2The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 20, Lisa's TaleThe Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 21, Recap, Pt. 1The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 22, Recap, Pt. 2The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 23, Recap, Pt. 3
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