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Henry Dearborn Biography

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DEARBORN, Henry (1751-1829). An American soldier, born in North Hampton, N. H. He studied medicine and became a physician, but left his practice upon receiving the news of Lexington, entered the army as captain in 1775, served throughout the Revolution, and distinguished himself at Quebec (where he was taken prisoner), Saratoga, Monmouth, and Yorktown. After the war he settled in Maine, and was a Democrat Representative in Congress in 1793-97. He was Secretary of War under Jefferson from 1801 to 1809 and at the outbreak of the War of 1812 was appointed senior major general of the army and was assigned to the Northern Department. He captured Toronto (then York) and Fort George, but in July, 1813, was recalled, being charged with political intrigue, and was placed in command at New York. Ho resigned from the army in 1815. From 1822 to 1824 he was Minister to Portugal. His last years were spent in Roxbury, Mass. 

The New International Encyclopaedia, Vol. VI (New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1920) 559.