Ten Strange Tales From America's Second War of Independence-- Part 2: The Rockets Red Glare

7.  Hiram Cronk was the last surviving American veteran.  He enlisted in the New York militia in 1814 at age 14 and served for 100 days.  Death came to Mr. Cronk in 1905 at age 105.

6.  Like before the Civil War, there was a question about secession, when the New England states considered it.  They didn't think the Southern states had the right to secede 20 years later, though.

5.  The war marked the use of Congreve Rockets which gave rise to the National Anthem's "Rockets Red Glare."

--Brock-Perry

U.S. Facts About the War of 1812

From the June 5, 2013, CNN U.S. "By the numbers: U.S. war veterans."

I am doing this list in my Cooter's History Thing Blog which will cover all wars.

WAR OF 1812 (1812-1815)

Total in Service: 286,730

Casualties:  Dead-  2,260, Wounded--  4,505

Last veteran:  Hiram Cronk, died in 1905 at age 105.

--Brock-Perry

Veteran From War of 1812 Remembered

August 1, 2012, Syracuse (NY) Post-Standard" by Mike Greenlar.

Betty Nash, 87, is a direct descendant of Hiram Cronk, the last War of 1812.  He lived on Western Hill Road on a farm in Oneida County.

Cronk served as a drummer boy and was 105 when he died and his body was taken to New York City where he lay in state.  His final resting place is in Cyprus Hills Cemetery with the other War of 1812 veterans.

Brock-Perry

The Last Veteran of the War of 1812: Hiram Cronk

From the Sept. 2, 2012 Syracuse Post-Standard" by Debra Groom.

Hiram Cronk died May 5, 1905 and his death made the news all across the United States.  A major parade was held through Manhattan and 50,000 people paid their respects at the New York City hall.

Today, there is a New York State historical marker on Webster Hill Road in Ava, outside of Rome, New York, where he lived.  Betty Nash, 87, is his great-great granddaugheter.

Cronk joined the Army August 4, 1814, at age 14, shortly after the British burned down Fort Ontario in Oswego and were planning to move inland through New York.  He joined the 157th New York Regiment along with his brothers John and Casper and father James. They journeyed to Sackets Harbor where Hiram was made a drummer because of his young age.

His commanders were Captain Edmund Fuller and Lt. Col. Erastus Cleveland.

His service amounted to three months before he returned to his farm for Thanksgiving.

Cronk outlived his son, Van Rensselear, who was killed in the Civil War at the Battle of Shiloh and buried in an unmarked grave.

Until he was 100, he received a federal pension of $12 a month which was then raised to $25.  There are some that say he also had that pension upped to $72 a month by the NY legislature.  Then, considered a rich man, women from the ages of 21 to 70 wanted to marry him.

He is buried at Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn.

The Last.  --Brock-Perry

Ten Things You Didn't Know About the War of 1812-- Part 5

9.  CANADIANS KNOW MORE ABOUT THE WAR THAN YOU DO

Few Americans know much about the war other than D.C. being burned, Fort McHenry and the Star-Spangled Banner, even if Jose can say.  The U.S. invaded Canada three times with the intentions of making it part of the country.  To Canadians, the memory of the war brings pride that runs deep.  It was David vs. Goliath.

American War Hawks (who wanted the war) believe Canada's conquest would be easy (even Jefferson believed it would be but the matter of a march).  They were under the misconceived idea that Canadians wanted to throw off the British yoke and become a part of the United States. 

Laura Secord and Isaac Brock are major Canadian heroes who most Americans have never heard of.  I had never heard of them before I started this blog.


10.  THE LAST VETERAN

Some Americans living today were alive when the last War of 1812 veteran died in 1905.  A grand parade was held in New York City to honor the life of Hiram Silas Cronk who died April 29th, two weeks after his 105th birthday.  he has cast his first presidential vote for Andrew Jackson and his last for Grover Cleveland.

He lived most of his life in obscurity at his farm in New York state, but became more and more famous as he approached his death.  New York City began planning his funeral months before he died.

So, Did You Know?  --Brock-Perry

Last War of 1812 Survivor Died in 1905-- Part 2

After the war, he was a shoemaker until he saved up enough to buy a farm.  In 1825, he married Mary Thornton and had seven children in their 60 years of marriage.  Mary died in 1885.  They also had 14 grandchildren.  Hiram Cronk lived in Herkimer County and in 1901 was the last War of 1812 pensioner.

"At age 101 years Mr. Cronk is still hale and hearty and, all things considered remarkably active.  He lives within a short distance of his birthplace.  Except for his absence during the war, he has seldom left the vicinity."

His family was noted for longevity.  Four brothers and a sister lived to be over 90.  From an early age, he  was a habitual user of tobacco, both chewing and smoking it.  Also, he drank strong liquor, but in moderation.

Maybe There Is Hope For Most Of Us.  --Brock-Perry

Last War of 1812 Survivor Died in 1905-- Part 1

From the Genealogy Bank. 

Hiram Cronk died May 13, 1905 after turning 105 just two weeks earlier.  After his death a whiskey company, Duffy's Pure Malt Whiskey, used his longevity to market its product.

Cronk lived and died on his farm in New York and his death was reported all across the United States.  New York City staged a lavish state funeral as tens of thousands paid their respects passing the body in the rotunda of the city hall.

His life embraced almost the whole history of the country when he died, having been born in 1800.  Until near his end, he received little publicity or fame.

After the war he became a shoemaker, earning enough money to buy land and become a farmer.

More to Come.  --Brock-Perry