Dartmoor General Entry Book, # 1539 with entry for Theophilous Hardingbrook, seaman, privateer, British National Archives.

Brooklyn Daily Eagle April 26, 1853 p.2
This brief account confirms Theophilus Hardenbrook was originally appointed by President James Monroe as a cooper in the Brooklyn Navy Yard in recognition of his service in the War of 1812 and suffering as a prisoner of war in the infamous Darmoor Prison. The leaders of the Whig and Democratic parties controlled appointments through political patronage at BNY for most of the nineteenth century.

A very large old growth oak tree and three eroded and pitted gravestones are all that can be found on this lot. Two of the stones are illegible and third is for Mary Hardenbrook Schultz.

Theophilus Hardenbrook's grave is unmarked, no individual gravestone or inscription can be found for him on this lot or it's monument.

Lot 2245 section 69, The Green-Wood Cemetery, 500 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York. Photographed 7 June 2015; Wallace G. Lane, Jr.

Brooklyn Daily Eagle notice regarding veterans of the War of 1812

Theophilus Hardenbrook was taken prisoner by the British Naval forces and was held as POW in the infamous Darmoor Prison

New York (Brooklyn) Navy Yard Payroll for 16 - 30 September 1840 Number # 452, Name: Theophilus Hardenbrook Station "Cooper" Days Worked 13, Wages $ 3.00 per day, Amount Paid $ 39.00.

Hardenbrook's New York City death certificate states he was 69 years 11 months at his death. Cause of death "Disease of the Heart." at the time of his death he was living 118 Sands Street Brooklyn New York City. His date of birth if the information above is correct is most likely September 1791.

This image is of the notations in the HM Darmoor General Entry Register for prisoners. Theophilus Hardenbrook, # 1539 is here listed as “Hardingbrook.”

HM Darmoor records reflect Seaman Hardenbrook became prisoner of war on 20 April 1813 when his ship the privateer “Zebra” was captured in the Bay of Biscay, by the HMS Pyramus and HMS Belle Poule. The Zebra was an American private vessel operating as “privateer” under a Letter of Marque dated 26 June 1812. The Zebra was purpose built as a privateer by noted shipbuilder Noah Brown at New York 1812/1813. Darmoor Prison records state Hardenbrook was a seaman, born in New York. His physical description is age 23, 5 ft. 6 ½ inches tall, blue eyes with dark brown hair. Identifying marks a scar on his left hand. Hardenbrook was first taken to Stapleton Prison and later to Darmoor on 23 June 1814. He survived the brutal prison conditions where over 200 Americans died of diseases such as smallpox, dysentery and other condtions and the notorious "Darmoor Massacre" which wounded 60 men and killed 7 on 6 April 1815. He was released in May 1815, following ratification of Treaty of Ghent. The actual date of his repatriation to the USA is unknown, though most likely late June 1815. Hardenbrook later found employment at Brooklyn Navy Yard where he was employed for many years as a master cooper. Hardenrbook was an active member of the Proprietors of Greenwood Cemetery and the Veterans of the War of 1812.

My thanks to Ron Joy, Historian Darmoor Prison and researcher Dennis Segalquist for information re HM Darmoor Prison, the War of 1812 and the history and conditions of American prisoners. Photographer Wallace G. Lane generously contributed the superb image of Hardenbrook’s gravesite.

John G. Sharp

HARDENBROOK. -- In Brooklyn, on Friday morning, Sept. 28, suddenly, of disease of the heart, Col. THEOPHILUS HARDENBROOK, aged 69 years, 11 months and 12 days.
Col. H. was a native of the City of New-York, and for the last forty years, and up to time of his decease, held the position of Master Cooper of the Brooklyn Navy-yard, respected for his strict attention to duty and the faithful discharge of the trust confided to him. His friends and acquaintances, the members of the Veteran Corps of the War of 1812, and the Masonic fraternity, are respectfully invited to attend his funeral, from his late residence, No. 118 Sands-st., Brooklyn, at 2 o'clock, P.M., on Sunday, Sept. 30. His remains will be conveyed to Greenwood Cemetery for interment.

New York Times Obituary
Hardenbrook a veteran of the war of 1812 and held by the British as prisoner of war at Darmouth prison.