A One-Name Study for the BARNUM/BARNHAM Surname
According to a long-standing family tradition concerning the birth of Hiram Barnum, which was previously accepted as the truth, Arcantes Lain deserted Sarah Barnum and left the area after discovering that she was pregnant with his child out of wedlock. Supposedly, Sarah's father then sent the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to bring him back to marry Sarah, and she subsequently gave birth to their child Hiram. Although Arcantes and Sarah had more children following their marriage, the story goes on to say that Hiram was not made a part of that family, instead being raised by either his grandfather or his uncle Amos.
Later research, however, has uncovered documentation that tells a different story.
Hiram himself stated on his wedding license that his father was James Miller. Further research showed that James Miller lived on a side road just across from the farm of Sarah's father Caleb, where she was born and raised. James Miller married Jane Anderson in April of 1860, roughly six months after Hiram was born. Thus, Hiram's mother Sarah, and the man that he himself identified as his father, were not married at the time of his birth. This new information adds a believable reason for that part of the family's oral history that says Hiram was raised by his uncle or grandfather, and not as a part of his mother's family. Hiram retained the surname Barnum throughout his life.
She was buried in Ryleston Cemetery.
A Research Guide to the Genealogy of the Barnum/Barnam/Barnham Family Worldwide
AncientFaces - Family History Photos
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