A One-Name Study for the BARNUM/BARNHAM Surname
Based on census records, Judah Barnum was born about 1790-92. His stated place of birth varies on census records: NH in 1850, Saratoga County, New York in 1855 and CT in 1860.
However, because questions regarding place of birth were more specific on the 1855 New York State census, Judah’s response of “Saratoga County, New York” is most likely his correct birth location. Since no other individual recorded near Judah provided a similar birth location, a recording error is unlikely.
According to records compiled by Oneta Baker (Town Historian for Clarence, Erie, New York 1952-1974), Judah Barnum married a woman named Polly Collins. These records were held in 2011 by the current Town of Clarence Historian.
Judah and Polly were likely married about 1815-16 in Otsego or Niagara County, New York. Based on census age grouping for 1820 and 1830, she was born between about 1801 and 1804. Since she had at least two children born prior to 1820, her birth can be estimated at around 1801.
On 18 Mar 1816, Judah purchased a tract of land from the Holland Land Company located in lot 6, section 14, town 12, range 5 of Niagara County, New York. This property became part of the town of Newstead, Erie County, New York in 1823. About 2 ½ years later (18 Nov 1818), Joshua Barnum (1782 – abt. 1858) made a similar purchase for a tract in section 13 of the same town. These two parcels, about two miles distant, are the locations where Judah and Joshua Sr. established their homesteads.
Judah Barnum was recorded with his family on the 1820 census of Clarence, Niagara County, New York (p 142a), as follows:
1 male 16-25 (Judah’s younger brother?)
Note that in 1840, an Aaron Barnum appeared on the census for the town of Lockport, Niagara County, New York. He was age 40-50, which is consistent with the age of the youngest son of Aaron Barnum, Judah’s father.
1 male 26-44 (Judah, about age 30)
1 male 45+ (Aaron Barnum?) Aaron would have been about 64 years old.
2 females -10
1 female 16-25 (Polly)
Surnames of families enumerated near Judah Barnum included Eldrich, Bowdish and Cole; families with these same surnames were neighbors of Joshua Barnum 10 years earlier in New Lisbon, Otsego County, New York.
According to the Oneta Baker records cited previously, Warren Barnum was born in the town of Newstead in 1829. Her records also state that Warren’s parents were Judah and Polly (Collins) Barnum, that he lived in the town of Clarence for 20 years, that he never married [sic], and that he died in Clarence on 26 Dec 1884. [Note that on the 1865 New York State census for Newstead, it was recorded that Warren was married once, and divorced.]
Warren may have been named for Warren Collins (1806-1880) who was likely Polly’s brother, and who appeared on Erie County, New York census records in 1830 & 1840.
The 1830 census of Erie, Erie County, New York recorded the following for Judah Barnum:
1 male -5 (Warren)
1 male 30-39
1 male 40-49
1 female 20-29 (Polly)
Because Judah was born ±1790, he could be either of the two adult males enumerated on that census.
Sometime between 1830 and 1837, Judah married Nancy (?) Hunt. Nancy was the mother of two daughters from a previous marriage: 1) Alvira (1824–1898) married Lyman Burdick, and 2) Clarissa (1829–1889) married Almon Eldred. Both lived in Clarence and Newstead, Erie County, New York.
Judah and Nancy were parents of a daughter, Adeline (1838–1896), who married Jacob Root and lived in Newstead, Erie County, New York.
These additional family members, with the exception of Alvira who had married, are enumerated with Judah Barnum on the 1840 census of Newstead, Erie County, New York:
1 male 10-14 (Warren)
1 male 40-49 (Judah)
1 female -5 (Adeline)
1 female 10-14 (Clarissa Hunt)
1 female 40-49 (Nancy)
On the 1850 census of Newstead, Erie County, New York, Nancy (?) Hunt Barnum (age 54, b VT) was enumerated with Judah.
Judah Barnum, age 63, was recorded as a widower in 1855. His place of birth was “Saratoga County” [New York], and he had been a resident of Newstead for 38 years (1817).
Judah died sometime between 1860 and 1864; no record of his death, burial or probate has been found to date.
Research conducted by Elaine Morris, Sharon Braun and Mary Ann Meeker.
A Research Guide to the Genealogy of the Barnum/Barnam/Barnham Family Worldwide
AncientFaces - Family History Photos
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