A One-Name Study for the BARNUM/BARNHAM Surname
Ben Beard Barnum had only one child, who died as an infant. There exists an autobiography, which apparently deals mostly with the Civil War years. The most interesting part is said to be the description of the way in which Ben, his siblings and their parents left the South at the start of the Civil War. For religious reasons they refused to fight and had to leave to escape the "draft." However, once they reached the North, Ben joined the Union army. He served during in Company "E", 75th Regiment, Indiana Infantry from 1862 to 1865. Official records show that Benjamin B. Barnum, of Warren, Indiana, enlisted as a Private on 1 August 1862 and was promoted to Corporal by the end of his service.
Benjamin B. Barnum received an Army Invalid pension, beginning on 14 Jan 1907. The amount of the original pension was $8.00 per month, increased to $12.00 on the 18th of the following month and to $15.00 beginning 11 Jan 1912. According to Veterans Administration records, he was a corporal with Company "G", 75th Indiana Infantry and his second wife, Susanne, received a pension as an Army Widow.
American Civil War Soldiers. Name: Benjamin B Barnum; Residence: Warren, Indiana; Enlistment Date: 1 Aug 1862; Side Served: Union; State Served: Indiana; Service Record: Promoted to Full Corporal. Enlisted as a Private on 01 August 1862. Enlisted in Company "E", 75th Infantry Regiment Indiana on 01 August 1862. Mustered out Company "E", 75th Infantry Regiment Indiana on 08 June 1865 in Washington, DC
In the 1880 US Census for District 132, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky the family of a B. B. Barnham was enumerated as follows:
Dwelling #212; Family #435
Barnham, B. B.; W; M; 32; Head; Married; Apiarist; b. North Carolina; Father b. North Carolina; Mother b. Virginia
Barnham, Lula L.; W; F; 25; Wife; Married; Houskeeping; b. Kentucky; Both parents b. Virginia
Barnham, L. J. [N.B., initials reversed], W; M; 7/30; b. May; Son; Single; b. Kentucky; Father b. North Carolina; Mother b. Kentucky
[Note: Both parents are about 5 years too young but much of the other data does match. This may or may not be the correct family group].
In the 1900 US Census for District 159, Philadelphia Ward 9, Philadelphia County, Pensylvania Benjamin B. Barnum was enumerated as a boarder in the home of Joshua C. Armstrong, 831 Market Street, as follows:
Barnum, Benj. B.; Boarder; W; M; b. Jany. 1842; 58; Divorced; b. North Carolina; Father b. Connecticut; Mother b. North Carolina; Letter carrier; Employed full year; Can read, write and speak English
[Note: This was apparently a boarding house; a family of 4 with 11 boarders].
Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934
A Research Guide to the Genealogy of the Barnum/Barnam/Barnham Family Worldwide
AncientFaces - Family History Photos
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