A One-Name Study for the BARNUM/BARNHAM Surname
In the 1850 US Census for Lawrence, Van Buren, Michigan Reuhama (Palmer) BARNUM was enumerated in the family of her son-in-law John Andrewa as follows:
Household #7; Family #7
Andrews, John; 42; M; Farmer; real estate $2,500; b. New York
Andrews, Angeline; 38; F; b. New York
Andrews, Almira M.; 16; F; b. New York
Andrews, Isaac B.; 13; M; b. New York; attended school during previous year
Andrews, William H.; 11; M; b. New York; attended school during previous year
Andrews, Nancy R. 7; F; b. Michigan; attended school during previous year
Luke, Thomas; 25; M; Laborer; b. New York; attended school during previous year
Barnum, Ruhama; 60; F; b. New York
Her death record from the State of Michigan [Record #50] gives the following information: Date of Death: Dec. 7, 1867; Full Name: Reuhama Barnum; Female; Widow; Age: 80 yr, 6 mo, 6 dy; Place of Death: Aleman, Mich. [N.B., s/b Almena]; Cause of Death: Old Age; Birthplace: New York; Parents: Othnial Palmer - New York, Silence Palmer - New York; Date of Record: May 30, 1868.
The following came from the Paw Paw (Michigan) Courier Leader dated 5 Feb 1993: "Mrs. C. B. Palmer (K. Handy believes this to be Salina Downing, daughter of A. S. Downing and Hannah Barnum) has in her possession a wooden clock made in Hartford, Conn. that is nearly one hundred years old and in good running order. It was brought from New York state by her grandmother (K. Handy believes this to be Reuhamah (Palmer) Barnum) a number of years ago. It was brought by the way of the Great Lakes. When on Lake Michigan the boat came very near sinking, some of the goods were thrown over board and remained in the bottom of the lake for some time. Among the goods was this clock. If anyone has an old clock that can beat this, bring it on."
Her obituary, from an unidentified contemporary newspaper, states: DIED. At the residence of A. S. Downing, in Almena Dec. 7, 1867, Mrs. Reuhama Barnum, in the 61st year of her age.
Mrs. B. was born in Milton, Saratoga Co., N.Y. June 1st, 1787. When about 9 years of age she removed with her father's family to Cayuga Co., then a wilderness, and settled near Throopville, where she remained until the fall of 1836, when she removed to western Michigan, where she resided until removed by death. At a very early age she embraced the Saviour, and took membership with the Baptist, with whom she remained until about 1830, when she renounced all human creeds and took a position that the Bible alone was the only safe standard in matters of faith, practice and church government. She became identified with the Disciples and and was one of the five who organized the first church in central new York, on the bible, and bible alone. She early learned that religion was practical, and evinced her knowledge of it by deeds of benevolence and kindness which characterized her long and useful life. On her death bed she remarked to her Physician, "That there was scarcely a bed in the neighborhood that she had not stood by its side to cool the fevered brow of some poor sufferer." She died strong in faith, "giving glory to God," believing that "though her body was sown in weakness, it will be raised in power;" "though sown a natural body it will be raised a spiritual body." in that day when Christ shall come to be admired by all his saints.
Rest aged Mother, rest in peace,
The "King of Terrors holds thee now;"
But Christ will come and bring release,
And place a crown upon thy brow.
A Research Guide to the Genealogy of the Barnum/Barnam/Barnham Family Worldwide
AncientFaces - Family History Photos
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