Hoar Family Genealogy & History

Ebenezer Rockwood Hoar was a prominent American politician, lawyer, and jurist from Massachusetts, noted for his tenure as the U.S. Attorney General from 1869 to 1870 under President Ulysses S. Grant. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Department of Justice and assisting in the appointment of Supreme Court justices. Despite being nominated to the Supreme Court himself, his nomination was rejected. Hoar also contributed to international diplomacy by helping negotiate the Treaty of Washington in 1871, which resolved the Alabama Claims between the U.S. and the United Kingdom.

Ebenezer Rockwood Hoar was born in Concord, Massachusetts, to Samuel and Sarah Hoar (née Sherman), descending from a long line of Puritan ancestry that settled in America in 1640. His early education was marked by exceptional literacy skills, and he later graduated from Harvard University in 1835. Hoar's legal career began after studying law at Harvard and his father's office, leading to a successful career in Massachusetts politics and law.

Joseph Paul Hoar (1934–2022) was a distinguished four-star general in the United States Marine Corps, noted for his service as Commander in Chief of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) from 1991 to 1994. A graduate of Tufts University, Hoar's military career was marked by leadership roles in the Vietnam War, strategic operations during the Persian Gulf War, and oversight of humanitarian efforts in Somalia. His post-military career included consulting roles and positions on the boards of Hawaiian Airlines and Suffolk University, where he leveraged his extensive experience in international military strategy and operations.

Leonard Hoar (1630 – 1675) was an influential figure in early American education, known for his brief tenure as President of Harvard College. Born in Gloucestershire, England, Hoar was a Harvard graduate who became the first alumnus to lead the institution. Despite ambitious plans for Harvard, introducing a garden, workshop, and chemical laboratory, his presidency was marred by controversy and student opposition, culminating in his forced resignation. His scholarly works include 'Index Biblicus,' and he played a role in creating 'The First Catalogue of Members of Harvard College.'

Leonard Hoar was the fourth son of Charles Hoare and Joanna Hinkesman of Gloucester. After his father's death in 1638, Hoar emigrated to America with his mother. His family ties extended to the Dwight family, with his niece Anna Flynt being an ancestor of Yale University presidents.

Samuel Hoar was a prominent 19th-century American lawyer and politician from Massachusetts. Known for his anti-slavery stance, Hoar was initially associated with the Federalist Party before becoming a leading figure in the Whig and Free Soil Parties. In 1854, he played a pivotal role in founding the Massachusetts Republican Party. Hoar gained national attention in 1844 when he was appointed as a Massachusetts Commissioner to challenge South Carolina's laws that allowed the seizure and enslavement of free African American sailors. His thwarted mission in Charleston sparked significant anti-slavery sentiment in Massachusetts.

Samuel Hoar was born in Lincoln, Massachusetts, and later resided in Concord. In 1812, he married Sarah Sherman, the youngest child of Roger Sherman, a signer of the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.