Phineas Taylor (P.T.)  BARNUM

1810 Birth
5 July 1810
Bethel, Connecticut, USA

Biography
PHINEAS T. BARNUM, the greatest showman the world has ever seen, was born at Danbury, Connecticut, July 5, 1810. At the age of eighteen years he began business on his own account. He opened a retail fruit and confectionery house, including a barrel of ale, in one part of an old carriage house. He spent fifty dollars in fitting up the store and the stock cost him seventy dollars. Three years later he put in a full stock, such as is generally carried in a country store, and the same year he started a Democratic newspaper, known as the 'Herald of Freedom.' He soon found himself in jail under a sixty days' sentence for libel. During the winter of 1834-5 he went to New York and began soliciting business for several Chatham street houses. In 1835 he embarked in the show business at Niblo's Garden, having purchased the celebrated 'Joice Heth' for one thousand dollars. He afterward engaged the celebrated athlete, Sig. Vivalia, and Barnum made his 'first appearance on any stage,' acting as a...Read MORE...


A Biographical Record Of Schuyler County, New York, S. J. Clarke, 1903

1829 Marriage / Partner
Phineas Taylor (P.T.) BARNUM and Charity HALLETT 8 November 1829, Manhattan, New York, USA (New York City) (New Amsterdam) (Washington Heights)

He was 19 years old.

1833 Birth of Child
Caroline Cornelia BARNUM was born 27 May 1833, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA (Southport) (Greenfield Hill)

Phineas Taylor (P.T.) was 22 years old.

1840 Birth of Child
Helen Maria BARNUM was born 18 April 1840, Manhattan, New York, USA (New York City) (New Amsterdam) (Washington Heights)

Phineas Taylor (P.T.) was 29 years old.

1844 Death of Child
Frances J BARNUM died 10 April 1844, , New York, USA

Phineas Taylor (P.T.) was 33 years old.

1850 - Fairfield, Connecticut
Name: Phineas T Barnum
Event Type: Census
Event Year: 1850
Event Place: Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 40
Race: White
Race (Original):
Birth Year (Estimated): 1810
Birthplace: Connecticut
Household ID: 25
House Number: 21
Line Number: 19
Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Affiliate Publication Number: M432
Affiliate Film Number: 38
GS Film Number: 3066
Digital Folder Number: 004193074
Image Number: 00009


Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
Phineas T Barnum M 40 Connecticut
Charity Barnum F 42 Connecticut
Caroline C Barnum F 17 Connecticut
Hellen M Barnum F 10 New York
Pauline T Barnum F 4 Connecticut
David Butler M 45 Connecticut
Ann Monagan F 19 Ireland
Mary Malersez F 20 Ireland
Ann Sally F 25 Ireland
Presence Jackson F 45 Connecticut

1850 Census Ancestry (U.S.)
Exploring the U.S. Census: Your Guide to America’s Data

1860 - Fairfield, Connecticut
Name: Phineas T Barnum
Event Type: Census
Event Year: 1860
Event Place: Town Of Fairfield, Fairfield, Connecticut, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 50
Race: White
Birth Year (Estimated): 1810
Birthplace: Con
Page: 43
Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Affiliate Publication Number: M653
Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
Phineas T Barnum M 50 Con
Charity Barnum F 51 Con
Pauline Barnum F 14 Con
John Stephenson M 33 Ireland
Terressa Otool F 23 Ireland
Fanny Readdy F 55 Ireland
1860 Census Ancestry (U.S.)
Exploring the U.S. Census: Your Guide to America’s Data

1865 - November 13 - PT Barnum's New American museum opens in Bridgeport

Visit Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA

historyorb.com

1870 - Fairfield, Connecticut
Name: P T Barnum
Event Type: Census
Event Year: 1870
Event Place: Connecticut, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 60
Race: White
Race (Original): W
Birth Year (Estimated): 1809-1810
Birthplace: Connecticut
Page Number: 130
Household ID: 1070
Line Number: 23
Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Affiliate Publication Number: M593
GS Film number: 000545596
Digital Folder Number: 004259464
Image Number: 00473


Household Role Gender Age Birthplace
P T Barnum M 60 Connecticut
Charity Barnum F 62 Connecticut
Mary Putnam F 50 Connecticut
Mary Judd F 28 Ireland
Mary Ryly F 30 Ireland
Mary Jackson F 28 Ireland
Mary Haroley F 30 Ireland
Hannah Hallett F 85 Connecticut
1870 Census Ancestry (U.S.)
Exploring the U.S. Census: Your Guide to America’s Data

1873 - October 20 - P. T. Barnum’s Hippodrome opens in New York City featuring “The Greatest Show on Earth.” It is destroyed in a fire on December 23, 1873.
On October 20, 1873, P.T. Barnum opened his grand Hippodrome in New York City, promising 'The Greatest Show on Earth.' This venue was a colossal spectacle, housing a diverse array of performances that included circus acts, theatrical presentations, and other entertainment marvels designed to captivate audiences of all ages. Barnum's vision was to create an unparalleled entertainment experience, blending the thrill of the circus with the grandeur of a theater, and his Hippodrome quickly became a cultural landmark, drawing crowds eager to witness its wonder.

Tragically, the Hippodrome's brilliance was short-lived. On December 23, 1873, just two months after its grand opening, a devastating fire engulfed the building. The inferno consumed the entire structure, turning Barnum's magnificent creation to ashes and abruptly halting the vibrant performances that had enchanted New Yorkers.
Visit Manhattan, New York, USA (New York City) (New Amsterdam) (Washington Heights)

http://www.independentsentinel.com/

1873 Death of Spouse/Partner
Charity HALLETT died 19 November 1873, , Connecticut, USA

1874 Marriage / Partner
Phineas Taylor (P.T.) BARNUM and Nancy FISH 14 February 1874, London, England

He was 63 years old.

1880 - August 26 — Competing circus owners P. T. Barnum and James A. Bailey sign a contract in Bridgeport, Connecticut to create the Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Visit Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA

wikipedia.org
August 26, 1880

1887 - BARNUM'S CIRCUS BURNED.
THE GREAT SHOW'S WINTER QUARTERS AT BRIDGEPORT, CONN., FURNISHES HIGH CARNIVAL FOR THE FIRE FIEND - MANY VALUABLE ANIMALS AMONG THEM THE SACRED WHITE ELEPHANT, CONSUMED - OTHERS ESCAPE, CREATING HAVOC IN THE STREETS.

Bridgeport, Conn., Nov. 24. - The main building of Barnum & Bailey's 'Greatest Show on Earth' was entirely destroyed by fire last evening. About 10:30 o'clock an alarm was sounded, quickly followed by a general alarm, and thousands of people were drawn to the spot. In less than thirty minutes the large building, which was 600 by 200 feet and two stories in height, was entirely consumed. The first intimation of the fire was given by the roaring of the lions and tigers, which seemed to realize the impending danger. Next the elephants struggled in their chains, but in an incredibly short time the flames swept from one end of the huge structure to the other. There were six watchmen employed on the premises, but they were helpless to check the flames. Five of the watchmen...Read MORE...


Visit Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA


Waterloo Courier
Iowa
November 30, 1887

1888 - No Longer a Showman. Barnum Turns Over His Interests and Retires to Private Life.
BRIDGEPORT, Conn., Nov. 27. - P. T. Barnum, the showman, is a thing of the past. He has settled up his business, and announced that he had turned his whole circus over to Mr. Bailey, who will own and conduct it, and that he himself has forever retired. Advancing years and a desire to enjoy his old age in quiet are the causes which led Mr. Barnum to close out. Mrs. Barnum is getting infirm. He shows his years, and he repeatedly announced that the cozy little brick cottage in which he intends to pass the evening of his life had been built expressly for his young wife. The deeds are in her name. Mr. Barnum has made his will, which is understood to be a 'cast-iron will.' Besides the usual witnesses Mr. Barnum has secured the signatures of two leading physicians the he is in his right mind. He is estimated to be worth $10,000,000.
Visit Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA


The Fort Wayne Sentinel
Fort Wayne, Indiana
November 27, 1888

1891 Death
7 April 1891
Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA

He died at the age of 80.