Interesting

[plankmaker]

This will probbly be assailed as not having anything to do with the CW. However, if you watch it you just might see people in it who were very relevent to the CW. It is footage of the funeral for the last known veteran of the War of 1812 from 1905.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkQUYODMxcs

Mark Campbell
Piney Flats, TN

[Pvt. Sweetey]

Yeah, that clip is awesome. You get to see what the soldiers, policemen, and civilians looked like on a typical day. It's like portal back in time. Was Hiram American or British during the war?

[plankmaker]

SUMMARY
The film shows a city thoroughfare lined with crowds of people watching a military parade. The first group to come into view is a marching band [Frame: 0120], then a large formation of soldiers in the uniform of Rough Riders [0720]. Following them is a hearse drawn by four black horses, escorted by veterans of the Civil War [2742], and horse-drawn open carriages. The camera position shifts and most of the paraders can be seen for a second time: the band [3692], the hearse [5610], and the Civil War veterans [6000]. Hiram Cronk, a veteran of the War of 1812, died at the age of 105. He was thought to be the last surviving veteran of that war.
Hiram Cronk
Last Survivor of the War of 1812
Born in Frankfort, NY
Articles Contributed by Joanne Murray
________________________________________

From: Broad Ax (Chicago, Illinois) 2 June 1900
A Pensioner of 1812
Unique Distinction Credited To Hiram Cronk
Is a Hundred Years Old and Was Under 15 When He Enlisted-
Sixty-Three Years On a Farm Near the Town of Western.
(Rome, N.Y., Letter)

One hundred years ago - a life as long as the century - is something that can be said of but a privileged few. Among those to whom such an age can be credited is Hiram Cronk of Dunn Brook, Oneida County, N.Y., and to him belongs the additional honor of being a veteran of the second war with Great Britain, the war of 1812, and, in fact, according to the report of Hon. H. Clay Evans, United States commissioner of pensions, the only living veteran of that war on the pension rolls.

Mr. Cronk first saw the light of day on April 29, 1800, at a humble home in the town of Frankfort, Herkimer County, N.Y. He came of sturdy Holland Dutch stock, of the family, which has become famous through its litigation to regain the Cronk estates in the fatherland. In the early childhood of Hiram the family removed to Wright Settlement, about two and a half miles from the city of Rome. There the family lived for about ten years, Hiram attending school and assisting about the "chores" on the farm. From Wrights Settlement the Cronks migrated to a farm near the town of Western, then practically a wilderness, and in that vicinity the subject of this sketch has spent the greater part of his life, having, in 1837, purchased about 110 acres of land, on which he erected a house where he now resides with his only living daughter, Mrs. Sarah A. Rowley.

[Sketch of Hiram Cronk]

While Hiram was still a beardless youth, and not yet 15 years old, his spirit was aroused over the issues of the war and he, with his father and two brothers, John and Jeptha, enlisted in the United States army and went to Sackett's Harbor, where he served for about 100 days. Hiram was so young and of such slight build that the other soldiers tried to joke with him, saying that if need be his father could pick him up and carry him to a place of safety. Such an act was, however, unnecessary, for in a skirmish with the British the youthful soldier carried himself so well and with such a military bearing that Capt. Davis, who had command of the troops, said that if he had a regiment of such soldiers he could go into Canada and fight the enemy on their own grounds. For his services Mr. Cronk receives a pension of $8 per month.

After the hostilities had ceased the Cronks returned to their home and Hiram took up the trade of an itinerant shoemaker, going about the countryside and repairing the footwear of the people at their own residences. He generally made the trip twice a year, and thus kept the farmers' pedal coverings in condition. At the time of the digging of the Erie Canal, Mr. Cronk was employed on the work, and later was employed on the construction of the Black River Canal, which joins the Erie Canal at Rome. When Marquis de Lafayette visited this country in 1825 he passed through the state on a barge on the Erie and stopped at Rome, Mr. Cronk stating that carpets were spread in the streets for the distinguished guest to walk upon as he landed at the warf [sic].

When 25 years of age Hiram met his fate and married her in the person of Mary Thornton, and for sixty years they lived happily together, her death occurring in 1885. Six children were born to them, five of whom are living, one son having lost his life in the Civil War. Of grand children and great-grandchildren Mr. Cronk has about a score. To reach an advanced age means to be the rule rather than the exception in the Cronk family. Out of a family of nine children, Hiram being the only surviving one, One sister died at the age of 98, and four brothers at the ages of 75, 9[1]?, 93, and 97 respectively. Mr. Cronk is still hearty in appearance, and gets about the house as easily as many men thirty years his junior. He is quite deaf, but his eyesight still remains good, and up to several years ago he could read without using glasses. He is almost constantly chewing tobacco, and has had the habit nearly all his life.

Mr. Cronk cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson, and has continued to vote for the Democratic ticket on down through the years. He is a devout Methodist, and often while in conversation will start out in a fairly clear voice on some old familiar hymn. It gives him special pleasure to have anyone listen to his story of his conversion, and it is one well worth the time.

From: The Washington Post (Washington, DC) 30 April 1905 [An advertisement]
Last Survivor of War 1812
[Photo]

Mr. Hiram Cronk, of Ava, N.Y., who was mentioned in General Orders for bravery at the Battle of Sackett's Harbor, states that he is kept strong and well by Duffy's Pure Malt Whiskey.

"Thanks to Duffy's, I am able to be out every day and take quite extended tramps in the severest weather."

On being interviewed, Mr. Cronk said: For many years Duffy's Pure Malt Whiskey has been my only medicine. I take a dessertspoonful of the tonic three times a day with my meals, and when I go to bed. Although we have severe weather where I live, I am able to be out every day, and I take quite extended tramps. I am thankful to "Duffy's" for it gives me a good appetite and keeps me strong and well in my old age.

Mr. Cronk is famous the country over for being the sole survivor of the war of 1812. He served in the 157th Regiment Volunteers; fought with distinction throughout the war of 1812, and at the Battle of Sackett's Harbor was mentioned in general orders for bravery. Three years ago congress raised his pension from $12 to $25 a month, and last year the New York aldermen voted to give a public funeral whenever he may die. Mrs. Sarah A. Rowley, his daughter, writes that in spite of the fact that the grand old man is 105 years old, he is keen in mind and rugged in health, thanks to Duffy's Pure Malt Whiskey.

From: The Washington Post (Washington, DC) 18 May 1905
Honor Cronk's Memory

Washington, D.C. Minutemen in Escort for 1812 Veteran's Body
New York, May 17 - The body of Hiram Cronk, who lived to be the last survivor of the war of 1812, was brought here today from Boonville, N.Y. and will be laid away in Cypress Hills Cemetery with full military honors. The funeral will be held tomorrow, and in the meantime the body will lie in state in City Hall.

Accompanying the body were Mr. Cronk's three surviving sons and one daughter. They were Philander Cronk, eighty-one years old; William, seventy-two years old; John, sixty-six years old; and the daughter, Mrs. Sarah Rawley, seventy-one years old.

As the funeral cortege moved from the Grand Central Station to the City Hall it afforded an imposing and unusual spectacle. Led by a police escort of mounted and foot officers, a detachment from the United States regular army, the Society of 1812, and the Old Guard, in uniform, came the hearse bearing the old warrior's body. Around it, in hollow square formation, marched the members of U.S. Grant Post, G.A.R. Then followed the Washington Continental Guard, of New York, and the Minutemen of Washington, D.C., the Army and Navy Union, and carriages with members of the Cronk family. Carriages with Mayor McClellan and members of the city government brought up the rear.

The body will lie in state at the City Hall until tomorrow, when a second cortege will proceed to Cypress Hills Cemetery. The body will be buried in the Mount of Victory, where sixty other veterans of the war of 1812 have been laid at rest.

[Quickstep]

Yeah, that clip is awesome. You get to see what the soldiers, policemen, and civilians looked like on a typical day. It's like portal back in time. Was Hiram American or British during the war?

Yes, an awesome piece of footage to be sure. There are two segments that show older, gray-bearded men wearing uniforms and ambling along (not marching) in the procession. They don't look like active military. Could these be GAR members? Several appear to be wearing kepis or forage caps. This was only 40 years after the CW, so they would be around the right age. Maybe someone can identify their uniforms?

[Pvt. Sweetey]

Yes, an awesome piece of footage to be sure. There are two segments that show older, gray-bearded men wearing uniforms and ambling along (not marching) in the procession. They don't look like active military. Could these be GAR members? Several appear to be wearing kepis or forage caps. This was only 40 years after the CW, so they would be around the right age. Maybe someone can identify their uniforms?

Yeah, they are, it was mentioned in the earlier post that GAR veterans were in the march.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Great post. I hope everyone on here looks at this, as it is indeed quite relevant to our studies, post-war or not.

[Marc]

Enjoyed the footage. I especialy liked the people along the parade route in the first part looking at the movie camera taking the footage.

[sbl]

Enjoyed the footage. I especialy liked the people along the parade route in the first part looking at the movie camera taking the footage.

I noted that as well. A motion picture camera was high tech! Also every man has a HAT.

[hanktrent]

A shame that guy had to spoil it, walking by talking on his cell phone, around :23.

(yes, I know he's holding a pipe )

Seriously, coupla questions. After about 2:20 when it switches to the other view, what's that giving off smoke or steam in the background by the building wall? Is it a food vendor on the sidewalk roasting something? A steam-powered something-or-other?

Also, at the very end, just as the film is cut off, I take it those would be "the Washington Continental Guard, of New York" or "the Minutemen of Washington, D.C.," but they look just like what we'd call Rev War reenactors. I wonder what else they did, other than march in parades, that resembled what modern reenactors do? Okay, looks like they held meetings and attended balls, at least. And dedicated monuments and worked for preservation. Wonder if they ever reenacted Rev War battles?

Very cool footage.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[sbl]

Hank,

What may be of interest is the group, the Lexington Minutemen. This group does do reenactments in period dress but their "dress uniform" originates here....

"Through the Revolution, members of Lexington’s Militia served in many campaigns, including operations in Canada. In 1876, the Centennial Celebrations saw President Ulysses S. Grant visit Lexington to salute the 77 men who stood on Lexington Green that glorious spring morning. For that celebration, the Minute Men decided to attire the Company in an official military uniform for the first time. After much discussion, a decision was made to model the uniform on the blue and buff uniform worn by George Washington’s personal body guard. The uniform has changed slightly since that time."

http://www.lexingtonminutemen.com/