Abel Barnum

  General Notes:

According to 'The Barnum Family,' by Noah G. Barnum, Abel, Zebulon and other siblings moved their families from Cayuga County, New York to Hartland, Niagara County in 1805. Then, in 1817, they went to Carlton in Genessee County (now Orleans County) New York. Finally, in about 1835 Abel and Zebulon went to Barry County, Michigan, where they died on adjoining farms. That history conflicts with information found on the death certificate of Jane Barry, daughter of Abel Barnum and Anna Peet, which indicates that she was born in 1814 in Genoa, Cayuga County, New York, and with the U.S. Census of 1820, which shows Abel Barnum, Jr. residing in Cayuga County.

He is listed as Abel Barnum, Jr. in the 1810 Census and on his military records.

According to National Archives Records, Abel served in the War of 1812, in Captain John O'Hara's Company, 1st Regiment [Bloom's] New York Militia. He served from 11 Sep 1813 to 18 Dec 1813 at Fort George, Upper Canada.

On a patent dated 8 May 1837, Abel S. Barnum (son of Zebulon or, perhaps, of this Abel) of Orleans County, New York is shown as a bounty land claimant and the owner of 146.84 acres in Section 31 of Barry County, Michigan. Zebulon Barnum is shown as owning 160 acres in Section 25, with a patent date of 26 Jul 1836.

Johnson's 'History of Allegany and Barry Counties' shows, "Among the early settlers in the Barnum neighborhood may also be reckoned . . . Abel, Philander, and Stephen Barnum . . ." apparently father and sons.

This Abel is shown in the census records of Barry County in 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840 and 1850.

  Birth Notes:

Calculation from the information appearing on his gravestone gives a birthdate of 27 March 1777.

  Death Notes:

'The Barnum Family' book gives a death date of 29 Aug 1859.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Residence, After 1820, , Orleans County, New York, USA.

• Residence, Bef 1835, Pontiac, Oakland, Michigan, USA.

Abel married Anna Peet, daughter of Stephen Peat and Esther. (Anna Peet was born on 8 Dec 1776 in Windham, Windham, Connecticut, USA, died on 10 Feb 1861 in , Barry county, Michigan, USA and was buried in 1861 in Carleton township - Fuller cemetery, Barry , Michigan, USA.)