A One-Name Study for the BARNUM/BARNHAM Surname
Samuel T. Barnum was born 18 Nov 1769. He was the son of David and Jemimah (Stevens) Barnum (she was the widow of Serajah Beardsley). In 1792 he married his first wife, Alice Nash. She was the daughter of Captain Eliakim and Ann Nash of Fairfield. Samuel and Alice had twins, David and Betsey, born in 1794. David became one of New Fairfield's earliest doctors, and his sister married Colonel Amzi Rogers on 20 Dec 1838. Alice passed away in that same year, at the age of 66. At the age of 68 or 69, Samuel married his second wife, Abigail, who was about 37 years of age at that time. The only written record that we have of her is as a witness on an 1839 deed between E. Taylor and Seelye Barnum; she signed as Abigail Barnum. Abigail died in 1848 and shortly afterward Samuel married for the third time, to Anis. She was about 66 years old at that time and died two or three years afterward. Early in his life, Samuel lived in the first house west of the Methodist Church (the William Gentz House), later moving to the house at the beginning of Saw Mill Hill Road (the George Nevius House). He was known in town as "Esquire Towner." He served the town for many years as Justice of the Peace and Town Clerk. He was also New Fairfield's State Representative for 11 terms, and served as a State Senator. His name appears as witness on many land deeds. In 1830, he had "October House" built for his son, Dr. David Barnum, and in 1832 deeded the land to him. In 1830, Samuel sold to Silas Jennings ten acres of property that had been deeded to him by Enoch Fairchild, one of the proprietors of New Fairfield. The US Census of 1810 shows a Samuel T. Barnum living in New Fairfield, Connecticut.
In the 1850 US Census for New Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut the family of Samuel T. Barnum was enumerated as follows:
Dwelling #35; Family #41
Samuel T. Barnum, 80, M, Farmer, b. Connecticut
Annise [sic] Barnum, 68, F, b. Connecticut
From The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Barnum, Samuel T. — of New Fairfield, Fairfield County, Conn. Member of Connecticut state senate 11th District, 1833. Burial location unknown.
He was baptized in the New Fairfield Congregational Church by Rev. Joseph Peck.
In the New Fairfield or Town Center Cemetery, the oldest existing cemetery in the town of New Fairfield. It is located on the east side of Brush Hill Road (Route 39) across from the Town Hall and the former location of the Congregational Church. His gravestone reads: Honorable Samuel T. Barnum, died Jan. 15, 1859. age 89 yrs. & 2 mos.
A Research Guide to the Genealogy of the Barnum/Barnam/Barnham Family Worldwide
AncientFaces - Family History Photos
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