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
2012 marks the 200th anniversary of America's "Forgotten War," the War of 1812 that took place over three years, 1812 to 1815.
Battle of New Orleans.
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