According to The New York Times, the real Ichabod Crane was born in 1787. He was not bony or awkward; Crane was a long-time marine and soldier. He first enlisted in 1809, and The American Primer reports that he went on to have a 48-year career in the military. The History Reader states that Crane was a captain in the War of 1812. Moreover, he was also involved in the Black Hawk War in 1832, the Second Seminole War in 1835, and the Patriot War in 1838. By 1843, he had been promoted to colonel and served in the Mexican-American War. Crane died in 1857 at his Staten Island home.
The New York Times writes that there is no evidence that proves that Crane and Washington Irving ever met. However, Irving likely knew who Crane was as both were stationed at Fort Pike. Like Crane, Irving served in the military during the War of 1812 (via Biography). It seems that Irving took a liking to Crane's name. Staten Island historian Dr. Thomas W. Matteo told the New York Times, "As far as Washington Irving's using his name, it's probably true but I do not think he asked Ichabod's permission."
Irving expert Elizabeth L. Bradley agreed and explained (per The New York Times), "I can say that Irving was fond of manufacturing 'Yankee' names, which he had done since before the War of 1812 (when he may have met Ichabod Crane)." Per The History Reader, Crane was not flattered by this and was reportedly unhappy Irving had used his name.
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