Background
Hyer was born in New York in 1819. His father Jacob had also been a prizefighter.
Hyer was born in New York in 1819. His father Jacob had also been a prizefighter.
He did not fight again for nearly ten years. Hyer defeated James Ambrose, also known as "Yankee" Sullivan in the 16th round at Still Pond Creek, Maryland on February 7, 1849. This was a widely publicized boxing match at the time and helped to ignite the sport"s popularity.
Hyer retired in 1851.
While he challenged other fighters, he never fought again. Yankee Sullivan claimed Hyer"s title in 1851 based on Hyer"s retirement.
Hyer died in 1864, with a reported cause of death as "cardiac dropsy". Tom married Emma Beke (b abt 1818-d Aug1898) of Maine and had one daughter, Charlotte (b Sacco, Maine, March 9, 1849—d March 1909), who later married a Floyd Grant (dAug 1916).
Charlotte and Floyd had a daughter May Rankin Grant, (dMar1934) who married Charles R Davis (d October, 1946).
All are interred with Tom at the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New New York
