Hooker

In 1840, Alexander Hooker gave a parcel of land at the back of his farm to the newly organized town of Irondequoit for a burial ground.  Hooker's farm was located on a rise facing Portland Avenue.  Hooker had been instrumental in the organization of the town and the drive to have the state legislature approve Irondequoit's separation from Brighton.

The cemetery was the final resting place for many of the town's pioneers and early officials.  This historic site is located next to the parking lot for St. Ann's home and has been carefully restored. In 1895, the grounds were closed to burials.  A new cemetery was opened on Culver Road near Hoffman Road on land that had been part of the Evershed farm and has been the official burial ground since that time.  When it was established several private cemeteries still existed in various parts of town.  In the 19th century families often chose to inter members in on their own land.

With the opening of the cemetery on Culver Road, most of these burial ground were closed and the bodies moved to plots in the new burial ground.  One was the Bradstreet Cemetery in Sea Breeze that dated back to 1830 when the land was owned by Sylvester Woodman who according to legend, was a retired pirate. Early settlers referred to him as Captain Woodman and he was the oldest gentleman at the first town meeting.  For a while, Culver Road was known as Woodman Road.  When Samuel Bradstreet bought the farm in the mid 19th century he continued the use of the private cemetery which then became the Bradstreet Cemetery

The only remaining private cemetery is on Armstrong Avenue.  It is the burial plot of Ezra Rogers, brother of Hosea Rogers.  There are only about five or six graves, but the plot also includes the grave of Ezra's beloved dog.  An agreement that Ezra negotiated with the town, the cemetery cannot be closed.  The picture shown here was taken in 1924 when the Irondequoit cemetery was enclosed with a wrought iron fence and archway entrance.