A One-Name Study for the BARNUM/BARNHAM Surname
In August of 1880, while Edward (age 9) was visiting relatives, he wrote the following letter to his mother:
"August 1. My Dear Mamma, I am very glad that you got home safe. I went to Church and Uncle says that I was a very good boy. When I came home I eat a half of pie and we went to the white Church. I send my love. With Menny kisses"
His mother wrote him the following response:
"N.Y. Aug 5th 1880. My dear little Eddie, I miss you very much, and Charlie & Willie too. I wish I could see you just this minute, and give you all a good hug and three kisses. I was glad to hear that you were all well and happy, and having a pleasant time. Hope you will keep well, and be good boys all the time. Did you show Cousin Florence the pretty leaf I sent you? The garden looks very nice. Your ivy is over a yard high. We have lots of Lady Slippers, Morning Glories and Flowering Beans. It looks fresh and pretty this morning after the rain. Do not play too hard with the little girls and get sick again. Do not swing too much. Be a good boy and mind Auntie and Uncle, and tell Charlie and Willie to do so too. When it is cool put your jackets on in the morning and evening. Tell Charlie to look at his shoes and see if they do not need mending by this time. Give my love and a kiss to Auntie and Cousin Florence, and your two little brothers, & tell them I will write to them soon. If any of you should get sick tell Auntie to send for me. Good bye my dear little boy, with many kisses. From your loving Mother. Papa and Fayette send their love to you all."
A few days later, his father wrote him the following letter, addressed to Master Eddie A. Barnum, c/o N. Mowry, Wilbraham, Massachusetts:
"New York: Augt. 7th. '80. My Dear Eddie, I thought I would write you a great big letter, all for your little self. Well, I am glad to hear that you are having such a nice time, and I hope you will get strong & hearty, and come home as 'fat as butter.' We miss you very much at home. Ma says she feels so lonely during the day, that she don't know what to do. We all talk of our little boys, whenever we set down to the table. It seems so strange to have only Ma, & Fayette and I. We wonder what you are doing - and every night when we go to bed, Ma always says, 'Well, I expect my little boys are now sleeping - how I would like to look at them.' So you see my dear Neddie, we think of you all, though far away, and love you very much. I send the boys 'The Golden Days' and I have put some molto papers inside for you. Tell Uncle, Ma received his postal card last night and was glad to hear from him. Will write to-morrow. Give our love to Aunty, Uncle, all the cousins, & everybody else, and give brothers Charlie & Willie, three kisses all round for each of us. And now dear Neddie write me a nice letter, & tell me all how you are enjoying yourself. From your ever loving, Pa"
Edward's response to his parents, on August 15, read as follows
"Wilbraham. Aug 15, '80. My Dear Mamma and Papa and Fayette, This morning we went to Church and when we came out it was pretty cool. Fayette have ya went to the Lake? Mamma when ya come will ya tell Papa to come to? Eddie Barnum"
A Research Guide to the Genealogy of the Barnum/Barnam/Barnham Family Worldwide
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