• Document: Deed, David W. and Caroline C. Thompson to Charity Barnum, 1860
Document: Deed, David W. and Caroline C. Thompson to Charity Barnum, 1860
Document: Deed, David W. and Caroline C. Thompson to Charity Barnum, 1860
Document: Deed, David W. and Caroline C. Thompson to Charity Barnum, 1860

Document: Deed, David W. and Caroline C. Thompson to Charity Barnum, 1860


Charity Barnum (associated with)
August 24 1860 (Date manufactured/created)
Quit claim deed transferring title to a tract of land in the township of Bushwick, Kings County, New York to Charity Barnum.  The land was owned by P. T. and Charity Barnum's eldest daughter Caroline and her husband, David W. Thompson.  The quit claim deed is dated August 24, 1860, and attests to the Thompsons receiving "one dollar and other valuable considerations" from Charity Barnum, for which they were relinquishing claim to the parcel of land. 

Charity Barnum nee Hallett (October 28, 1808 - November 19, 1873) was the first wife of Phineas Taylor Barnum.  They met in Bethel, Connecticut, where she was a tailors.  They married on November 18, 1829, she aged 21, he 19.  They had four daughters, three of whom lived to adulthood.  Although the two were devoted to one another for many years, Charity was a quieter presence than her husband, and apparently preferred home life to travel.  As her husband achieved international fame and great wealth, their differing outlooks and interests became more marked.  He was a man of great energy, she more retiring.  By inclination she did not seek the limelight; in addition, she suffered from ill health for many years.  She died on November 10, 1873, and  was buried in Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport, Connecticut.   
BM-MSS 002 S01 B01F14