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A One-Name Study for the BARNUM/BARNHAM Surname

Notes for Henry Weston BARNUM

In November 2004 I received an e-mail message form Donald P. Rabner concerning a book that he had purchased at an estate sale in Pasadena, California about 7 years previous. One of the items that he bought was a bound, typewritten book written by H(enry) W(eston) Barnum in 1942. In it, H.W. states that he made three copies of Barnum history to pass down to his three children. The book also contains family photographs glued on the pages, with handwritten explanations of the subjects, pictures of the Barnum home and hand-drawn maps of the Bridgeville, New York area showing where all the Barnum families lived. The book also mentions an occasion when P.T. Barnum came to town on the circus train and the family went down to meet their famous cousin, who spent a day in their home and had dinner with his cousins.

The foreward of that book reads as follows:

"In the following pages the reader will find a short history of the progenitors of the Barnum family. It may or may not interest many, but I hope my children, at least, will prize what is written, as it gives light on a type of life of which they know little.

"Somewhat homesick one day in the early spring of 1942, I wrote the verses entitled--"March Has Come to Sullivan", sending the to [my daughter] Ruth in Monticello. It then occurred to me that the Editor of the Watchman might be interested also. They were sent to him and were printed. At once he sent a letter urging me to write a series of letters giving details of life at Bridgeville as lived when I was a boy. That led to the articles you will find in back of the book, beginning on page 132. After that, will be found various verses, more or less interesting.

"Many person wrote to me or spoke to Ruth, of their interest in the letters. This was a greatr surprise and also pleased me much.

"I include some family pictures, also some of Bridgeville.

"The rummaging in Memory's attic has been most interesting to the writer and rummager. What a marvel is memory.

"I have made three copies so that my family may be well supplied with the memoirs.

"H. W. Barnum, June 22, 1942."
He and his brother Henry Westley Barnum were twins.

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