Edward Hooker (Descendants of Rev. Thomas Hooker) writes:
Horace Hooker (Nathaniel,4 Nathaniel,3 Samuel,2
Thomas1), son of Nathaniel and Eunice (Talcott) Hooker, of
Hartford, Conn., b. Aug. 24, 1746, at Hartford ; m. Aug. 2, 1769,
Elizabeth Filer, daughter of Samuel and Ann Filer, of Wind
sor, Conn., b. Oct. 25, 1750, at Windsor. He was a member of
the great firm of Hookers and Chaffee, and after their reverses
he removed to Western New York and finally settled at
Sacketts Harbor, N. Y., and engaged in business there. He d.
at Herkimer, N. Y., May 29, 1813. She died at Herkimer, N. Y.,
Nov. 9, 1813.
Relocation from Hartford to Windsor
Nathaniel, father of Horace, was a captain of commerical boats sailing mainly between the Carribean and Connecticut. In conjunction with this, Nathaniel had a warehouse and a store which his sons Horace and James took over together with a neighbor named Hezekia Chaffee. For a few years the store Hooker and Chaffee thrived, providing hospital equipment and rum to the American revolutionare forces. Facing a severe shortage of spirits for his fighting men, General George Washington, authorized the Hooker brothers to release quantities of rum earmarked as hospital supplies:
Letter from George Washington to Horace and James
“Head Qrs New Windsor June 26 1779
Gentlemen
The distress of the Army for Rum1 and the impracticability, or at least the difficulty, of procuring a Supply in any reasonable time, has induced me to consent that a quantity shall be drawn from the Hospital Stores, where I have been informed there is much more than can be wanted for the sick. I have therefore to desire that you will deliver to Colo. Wadsworth Commissary General, or to his order All the Rum you have in the public Stores under your care, except thirty Hogsheads, which I should hope, would be more than fully sufficient to answer every Hospital purpose. I am Genn &c.
Go: Washington”
A very busy man
In addition to running a merccantile business, Horace was also a Congregational minister in Hartford, Connecticut and he wrote numerous books for children, explaining Christianity to them.:
