History of the Barnum Family

By Noah G. Barnum

 

 

 





(How the Barnum's of Crawford County are related  to Sir Walter Barnham from England)

I) SIR WALTER BARNHAM: was born in 1350 during the reign of Edward III. He was Chief Baron of the Exchequer during the reign of Richard II (1377-1399) and is believed to be the scion of the family from which descended the immigrant ancestor, Thomas Barnum (1625-1685). The Exchequer was government department responsible for receiving and disbursing the public revenue. The patent of nobility granted to Sir Walter Barnham is the oldest pf three patients granted by the crown to members of the Barnham family in England.

Noah G. Barnum in The Barnum Family, states that Sir Walter was probably the father, grandfather or great-grandfather of Sir Nicholas Barnham.

II) UNKNOWN BARNHAM: He and his son Sir Nicholas Barnham were killed along side of Richard III in the Battle of Bosworth Field.

III) SIR NICHOLAS BARNHAM: was born Abt 1455 in Hampshire, England and died August 22, 1485 in Leicestershire, England. He and his father Sir (Unknown) Barnham were killed along side of Richard III in the Battle of Bosworth Field. The famous Battle of Bosworth Field was fought at the end of the War of the Roses on August 22, 1485. It took place in the parish of Sutton Cheney. On August 21, 1485, Richard III left Leicester to intercept Henry Tudor's invading army. Their forces met and clashed at Redemore Plain, somewhere south of Market Bosworth-early the following day. Betrayed by the Stanleys and Northumberland, Richard III was killed along with much of his household.

Child of Nicholas Barnham:

1, Stephen Barnham: Born 1480

IV) SIR STEPHEN BARNHAM: was born in 1480. He married Dorothy Chapman. He died on October 28, 1550 in Southwick, England. He was a member of the Privy Council of Henry VIII (1491-1547). Historically, the Privy Council was the sovereign's private council. It is descended from the 'curia regis,' which was made up of the king's tenants-in-chief, household officials, and anyone else chosen by the king. That group performed all the functions of government in either small groups, which be came the king's council, or large groups, which grew into the great council and Parliament. By the time of HENRY VII (1457-1509), the king's council had become the instrument of the crown; it was made up of the Privy Council, the courts of Chancery, Star Chamber, and High Commission, and their local subsidiaries between 1491 and 1547.

Children of Sir Stephen Barnham and Dorothy Chapman were:

1. Francis Barnham: Born 1516
2. Thomas Barnham: Born 1518
3. Nicholas Barnham: Born 1520
4. Dorothea Barnham: Born 1522
5. Agnes Barnham
6. Elizabeth Barnham

V) SIR FRANCIS BARNHAM: was born in 1516 in England. The History of County Kent, England says that Sir Francis was a baronet. He married Alice Brobridge He died in 1576.
He in 1568 is said to have been an Alderman. In England, an Alderman was originally a member of a municipal legislative body. In early English law there were up to 11 classes of Aldermen. Among the Anglo-Saxons, Earls, Governors of Provinces, and other persons of distinction received the title; later it was used to designate the chief magistrate of a county or group of counties. He in 1570 was Sheriff of London, although the full term of his office is not known. A sheriff was the senior executive officer in an English county or smaller area who performed a variety of administrative and judicial functions. The Office of Sheriff existed before the Norman Conquest (1066). Although the office had historically been very powerful , from the time of HENRY II (1133-1189) the jurisdiction of the Sheriff was severely restricted as a result of the growing jurisdiction of the 'curia regis' or 'king's court.' His duty there after was to investigate allegations of crime from within his shire, to conduct a preliminary examination of the accused, to try lesser offenses, and to detain those accused of major crimes for the itinerant justices.

Children of Sir Francis Barnham and Alice Brobridge were:
1. Martin Barnham: Born 1550
2. Anthony Barnham: Born Abt 1552
3. Stephen Barnham: Born Abt 1555
4. Etheldred Barnham: Born Abt 1557
5. Benedict Barnham: Born 1559 Sheriff of London in 1592, also Alderman and Merchant

Francis Bacon: (1561-1626) was a great philosopher, he married into the Barnham family, marrying Sir Benedict Barnham and Dorothea Smith daughter Alice Barnham: Born on May 14, 1592- ). He married her at the age of 14 years. He was 31 years older than her.

VI) SIR MARTIN BARNHAM: Knight of Hollingbourne was born in 1550 in England. He married Ursula Rudstone, daughter of Robert Rudstone, before 1577. He died on December 12, 1610 in Hollingbourne, England and was buried in Eastcheap, England.
In 1598, he was Sheriff of Kent (14 Elizabeth). On July 23, 1603 he was knighted by JAMES I (reigned 1603-1625). This was just a few months after James had ascended to the throne, following the death of ELIZABETH I (reigned 1558-1603). The patent of nobility granted to Sir Martin was the second of three known to have been granted by the Crown to members of the BARNHAM family in England. The arms of Sir Martin are blazoned as 'Quarterly, 1st and 4th sable across engrailed between four crescents argent, 2nd and 3rd azure aphaeon proper.' The crest is a dragon's head argent; the motto is Per Crucem ad Lumen -- Through the Cross to the Light. Sir Martin
The alabaster monument of Sir Martin BARNHAM, which stands in All Saints Church, Hollingbourne Hill, England is thus inscribed: 'Sacred to the memory of Sir Martin Barnham. Sprung from the old Southampton family of Barnhams, who married Ursula, daughter of Robert Rudstone, of Bouton, Monchelsey, and had two daughters and one son. On her death, he married Judith, the daughter of Sir Martin Calthorpe, Lord Mayor of London, by whom he had five sons and five daughters. He was a man on every side of gentle birth, most happy in the extreme piety of his life and death alike; on whom God of the boundless riches of His mercy poured (piled upon him) of this world's gifts of nature, Grace and Honor, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.
The 'Genealogical Record of the Barnum Family' refers to Sir Martin's(1st) wife as Ursula Wotton, while Burke and the inscription quoted above call her Ursula Rudstone. Noah G. Barnum, in 'The Barnum Family,' calls her Miss Hudston.
'The Barnum Family' also says that Sir Martin was born about 1559 and died December 12, 1604.

Children of Sir Martin Barnham Knight of Hollingbourne and Ursula Rudstone were:

1. Francis Barnham: Born Abt 1577
2. Benedict Barnham: Born 1579

VII) SIR FRANCIS BARNHAM: was born abt 1577. He was christened on October 20, 1577 in Hollingbourne, England, There are several areas of confusion about the life of Sir Francis. 'The Barnum Family' (in different editions) says that he was born in Kent about 1582 or 1592; the 'Genealogical Record of the Barnum Family' gives a birthplace of Hollingbourne and a date of October 20, 1576.'The Barnum Family ' (both editions) also says that Sir Francis was knighted in 1603; other sources indicate that it was his father, Sir Martin Barnham, who was knighted -- on July 23 of that year. He married Elizabeth Lennard (see #3905), daughter of Sampson Lennard Esquire and Baroness Dacre Margaret Fiennes, on January 3, 1598/99 in Sevenoaks, England, in 'An Account of the Families of Lennard and Barrett,' Chapter III (pages 226-227) states, 'At the time that Lord Dacre (Samson Lennard's grandson, Richard Lord Dacre) wrote his Family History there existed in the possession of Sir Thomas Rider, of Boughton, Kent, a MS. account written by his ancestor, Sir Francis Barnham, of his own family, of which Lord Dacre obtained a copy. I give the following quotation from it, as Sir Francis mentions his marriage with Samson's daughter Elizabeth, and he also refers to his father-in-law's mode of living and to his character:
'In the fortieth year of Queen Elizabeth my Father Martin Barnham served the Office of High Sheriff for the County of Kent and during his Shrievalty married me to the daughter of Mr Sampson Lennard and the Lady Dacre in which match his goodness sought rather to give me a Wife that might bring me a Noble alliance and promise the happiness of a good Wife (as being borne of a Mother that abounded as much in worth & Virtue as in honour) than to enrich himself or his other children by so great a Portion as it is probable he might have had in divers places, if that had been his Chiefest Ayme in my Marriage. . . .Within less than two years after my Marriage, I came to live in my Father's House tho' I had then by Covenant one Years Being more with my Father in Law (Mr.Sampson Lennard) who tho' he kept a very honourable House and lived in all respects in so brave a Fashion, as might make the being there very delightfull, especially to me, who had always from all hands a very loving & Noble treatment, yet the happiness promissed myself in the comfort of my Father's kind & familiar usage, & in his Advice & instructions & c made me hasten my coming to live with him.'
'The Barnum Family' also states that Sir Francis served in Parliament in 1603, 1604 and 1610 , and gives his wife's name as Elizabeth Lennard, while other sources call her Elizabeth Leonard, Baroness Dacre. That source is alone in stating that Sir Francis had fifteen children, of whom the immigrant ancestor, Thomas Barnham, was the last. Only nine of the supposed fifteen children are named, and Robert is called a baron and William the mayor of Wrwick in 1652. Other sources confirm the information about William, while Robert is shown as a baronet, and the second son of nine.
'The Barnum Family' also mentions a son, Winthrop, not found in other sources, whom it is said came to America with his brother Edward in 1630. Mention is also made of Edward (here called a son or nephew) who came to America and returned to England in 1649. No information has been found concerning possible daughters of Sir Francis. He was buried on September 16, 1646 at Boughton Monchelsea, England.

Children of Sir Francis Barnham and Elizabeth Lennard were as follows:
1. Dacre Barnham; born 1601 at Hollingbourne, England; died after May 9, 1625.

2. Margaret Barnham; christened October 16, 1603 in Charing, England; buried March 25, 1638 at Maid Stone, England.

3. Sir, Baronet Robert Barnham; christened October 12, 1606 at Hollingbourne, England; married Elizabeth Henley February 28, 1635/36 in London, England; married Hannah Nichols August 27, 1663 in London, England; died before June 12, 1685 in Boughton Monchelsea, England.

4. Edward Barnham; born 1608.

5. Martin Barnham; christened December 10, 1610; buried December 31, 1610 in Hollingbourne, England.

6. Francis Barnham; born 1612 in Hollingbourne, England; married Margaret Duke circa 1637 in London, England; died June 1677 in Maid Stone, England.

7. William Barnham; married Elizabeth Windham; christened May 19, 1613 in Westminster, England; buried March 22, 1674/75 in Norwich, England. He was mayor of Wrwick.

8. Dudley Barnham; born 1614 in Hollingbourne, England; died after 1646.

9. Judith Barnham; born 1615 in Hollingbourne, England.

10. Elizabeth Barnham; born 1617 in Hollingbourne, England.

11. Martin Barnham; born 1618.

12. Frances Barnham; born 1619 in Hollingbourne, England; married Robert Wildgoose April 30, 1638 in London, England.

13. John Barnham; born 1621 in Hollingbourne, England; died before 1686.

14. Unknown Barnham; born 1623.

15. Thomas Barnham born 1625

Elizabeth Lennard was born circa 1581. She was christened on November 26, 1581 in Sevenoaks, England. She married Sir Francis Barnham (see #3904), son of Sir Martin Barnham Knight of Hollingbourne and Ursula Rudstone, on January 3, 1598/99 in Sevenoaks, England,



VIII) THOMAS BARNUM: Barnham/Barnam) was born in 1625 at Hollingbourne, England. This site shows Thomas BARNUM (1625-1695) as the 15th child of Sir Francis Barnham and his wife Lady Elizabeth Lennard, Baroness Dacre, based primarily on the statement of Noah G. Barnum, in 'The Barnum Family, 1517-1904.' Although the statement has not been proven, neither has it been disproven, and it seems likely based upon the available information. He married Hannah in 1660 at Norwalk, Connecticut. Hemarried Sarah Thompson, daughter of John Thompson and Mirable, after 1688 at Stratford, Connecticut, A prenuptial agreement is said to exist. He died on 26 Dec 1695 at Danbury, Connecticut, His estate, which amounted to 330 pounds , 4 shillings, 4 pence, was divided among 'five sons and five daughters, the eldest son to have a double portion.' His widow Sarah returned to Stratfield in Stratford.
Thomas changed his name from Barnham to Barnum when he immigrated to America
He immigrated in 1640 to America from England, where he first settled in what is now Bethel, Fairfield County, Connecticut. He after 1640 was one of the first eight settlers of the town of Danbury, Connecticut, (Cutter, in 'Connecticut Families, in 1684'). (The 'History of Stratford' makes the same statement). The others are listed as: Thomas TAYLOR, Francis BUSHNELL, John HOYT, James BENEDICT, Samuel BENEDICT, James BEEBE and Judah GREGORY. Those eight individuals purchased from the local Indians a large tract of land which now includes the towns of Danbury, Bethel, New Fairfield, Redding, Ridgefield, and a portion of Derby, and established there the settlement of Danbury. Thomas located his homestead in a portion of the new settlement which in 1855 became a part of the town of Bethel, and is known today as the Old Homestead at Grassy Plain. He was charged by his fellow settlers with the formulation of the articles of agreement establishing the form of civil government which they were to have in their new town. From that, and other references found in contemporary records of the locality, it appears that Thomas BARNUM was a man of more than ordinary intelligence among the immigrants of his time, and was very active in both church and town affairs. He before 1663 had a (land) grant. ('Hall's 'History of Norwalk'). The same history gives the assessment of his estate in lands in that town in 1671 and 1687 as 40 pounds. He on 28 Feb 1673 is mentioned in a Fairfield book of records: '28 Feb. 1673 Thomas Barnum has by purchase of John CRUMP one parcel of land at Maximus, being in quantity by estimation three quarters of an acre more or less' at Fairfield, Connecticut. He on 30 Apr 1678 received a grant of land in Norwalk. The grant reads: 'Granted by the plantation unto Thos: Barnum a certaine swampe lyinge neere the west side of Stonie brooke and not far of Soabatucke Hill, the sayed swampe containinge five acres more or lesse and lyeth bounded of west north and south with the common land. That same year, he sold his land in Fairfield to Alexander BRYAN and removed to Norwalk. The next record is in Norwalk, dated 30 Apr 1678, and another at the same time says that the plantation granted toThomas Barnum was 'three acres lying by the land said Thomas purchased of John RAYMENT.' He on 8 Nov 1681 at a town meeting in Norwalk, was appointed to 'oversee and keep good Decorum amongst the youth in times of exercise on the Sabbath and other Publique meetings; and the town doe impower him if he see any disorderly, for the keep of a small stick to correct such with ; onely he is desired to doe it with clemency; and if any are incoridgable in such disorder, he is to present them either to their parents or masters; and if they doe not reclaime them, then to present such to authority.'

Children of Thomas Barnum and Hannah were as follows:

1. Thomas Barnum; born 9 Jul 1663 at Norwalk, Connecticut; married Sarah Beardsley 1693; died 1731 at Danbury, Connecticut.

2. Francis Barnum; born 1665 at Norwalk, Connecticut; married Deborah Hoyt, died 20 May 1740 at Danbury, Connecticut.

3. Richard Barnum: born 1675 at Norwalk, Connecticut.

4. John Barnum; born 24 Feb 1667/68 at Norwalk, Connecticut.

5. Sarah Barnum; born 1669 at Norwalk, Connecticut; married Thomas Pickett 1684.

6. Esther Barnum; born 1671 at Norwalk, Connecticut; married John Abbit 1685 at Fairfield, Connecticut.

7. Hannah Barnum; born 4 Oct 1680 at Norwalk, Connecticut; died 1708.

8. Elizabeth Barnum; born 1681 at Norwalk, Connecticut.

9. Ebenezer Barnum; born 29 May 1682 at Norwalk, Connecticut; married Abigail Skeels 1710; died 17 Sep 1755 at Kent, Connecticut, at age 73.

10. Ruth Barnum; born 1684 at Danbury, Connecticut.

11. Abigail Barnum; married Nathaniel Stevens; born 1687 at Norwalk, Connecticut.

12. Deborah Barnum; born 1688 at Norwalk, Connecticut.

Hannah was born in 1625 at Norwalk, Connecticut, called Hannah HURD by The Barnum Family, 1350-1907 (while providing no source for that name) and also calls her the mother of only four Thomas' children. All other available sources have her name as unknown and state that she was the mother of all ten of the children of Thomas.

IX) RICHARD BARNUM: Will was dated Janurary 14, 1739- made in Danbury, Conn. He was a
member of the Colonial Legislature.
Richard was the fourth deacon of the church at Danbury, and a member
of the Colonial Legislature.
'The Barnum Family' says 1687.

1st Wife: Mary Randall
2nd Wife: Mary Hurd

Children of Richard Barnum and Mary Hurd

1. Benjamin Barnum, b. 9 Jan 1695/96, Danbury, Fairfield, Connecticut

2. Capt. John Barnum, b. 1699, Danbury, Fairfield, Connecticut

3. Nathaniel Barnum, b. 1701, Danbury, Fairfield, Connecticut

4. Abner Barnum, b. 1703, Danbury, Fairfield, Connecticut

5. Bethuel Barnum, b. 17 Feb 1705/06, Danbury, Fairfield, Connecticut

6. Joseph Barnum, b. Abt 1707, Danbury, Fairfield, Connecticut

X) CAPTAIN JOHN BARNUM: (Revolutionary Soldier):

Capt John Barnum and Sarah Boughton


1. Capt. Richard Barnum, b. Abt 1722, Danbury, Fairfield, Connecticut
2. Mary Barnum, b. Abt 1724
3. Elizabeth Barnum, b. Abt 1726
4. Sarah Barnum, b. Abt 1728

XI) CAPTAIN RICHARD BARNUM: ( Revolutionary soldier)

Capt Richard Barnum and Olive Hoyt

1. John Barnum, b. 7 Mar 1756
2. Jemima Barnum, b. 19 Apr 1758
3. Lois Barnum, b. Abt 1760
4. Levi Barnum, b. 22 Apr 1762, Danbury, Fairfield, Connecticut
5. Lucy Barnum, b. Abt 1764
6. Daniel Taylor Barnum, b. 1766
7. Jasper Barnum, b. 1768
8. Isaac Nathaniel Barnum, b. 1780
9. Sarah Barnum, b. 1781

XII) LEVI BARNUM:
Levi enlisted in 1780 as a Revolutionary soldier. He was a member of Captain Hinckley's Company, Colonel Zebulon Butler's 2nd Connecticut Regiment.

Marriage: Children of Levi Barnum and Jerima Stockton

1. Unknown Barnum, b. Abt 1786
2. Unknown Barnum, b. Abt 1788
3. Unknown Barnum, b. Abt 1790
4. Unknown Barnum, b. Abt 1792
5. John D. Barnum, b. 24 Nov 1795, Albany, New York State
6. Unknown Barnum, b. Abt 1797
7. Unknown Barnum, b. Abt 1799
8. Unknown Barnum, b. Abt 1801
9. Unknown Barnum, b. Abt 1802
10. Jabez Barnum, b. Jun 1804, Near Albany, New York
11. Philip Barnum, b. Abt 1806

XIII JOHN D. BARNUM: was born in New York State and died in Barnum, Wisconsin in the spring of 1887. He married Mercy K. Jones on December 25, 1882 (who was born March 30, 1795 in Massachusetts and died on June 5, 1858). He is buried in the Haney Ridge Cemetery in Crawford County. They raised five children.

Marriage: Children of John D, Barnum and Mercy k. Jones

1) William A. Barnum (April 22, 1824-August 24, 1842
2) George G. Barnum (September 6, 1825-November 8, 1904)
3) Edward Seth Barnum (January 19, 1828-February 24, 1899)
4) Sabra M. Barnum (May 2, 1829-October 22, 1870)
5) Charles H. Barnum (March 30, 1836-August 6, 1862)

XIV) EDWARD SETH BARNUM: was born in New York State in January 19, 1828 and died in Feb 26, 1899. He married Hannah Rebecca Bennet on July 9, 1857 (who was born in Genesee, New York in Nov 9, 1837 and died on Apr 19, 1914). He was a Farmer in Haney Valley, owning a lot of land in the valley. He is buried in Haney Valley Cemetery, Crawford County. They raised four children:

Marriage: Children of Edward Seth Barnum and Hannah Rebecca Bennet

1)Sarah Ellen Barnum (Scoville) (April 13,1858- June 26,1904)

2) Sabra Amanda Barnum (Haskins) (March 5,1858- November 24,1951)

3) Marion Richard Barnum (March 22,1862- May 16,1941)

4) Frank Grant Barnum (December 14, 1863-October 20, 1888)

XV MARION RICHARD BARNUM: born in Barnum, Wisconsin, also became a farmer and married Panthea C. Haskins on June 25, 1894 (who was born on June 9, 1873 and died on July 23, 1959). They both are buried in the Boscobel Cemetery in Grant County. They had nine children:

Marriage: Children of Marion Richard Barnum and Panthea Cordelia Haskins

1) Elizabeth(Bessie) Barnum (Kreutz) (March 6, 1895- December 20,1979)

2) Ella (Goldie) Barnum (December 7,1896- April 25,1982)

3) Esther Barnum (1899-1899)

4) Lavern Marion Barnum (April 18,1900-1986)

5) Hazel Barnum (Young) (April 1,1902-1942)

6) Wilma Sadie Barnum (McCormick) (August 31, 1904 - December 14, 2003)

7) Mildred Ruth Barnum (Porter) (March 22, 1907-November 27, 1999)

8) Frank Haskins Barnum (March 8, 1909- 1964)

9) Edward Sylvester Barnum (January 25, 1916)