Physical object: Christening cup for Frances B. Thompson, granddaughter of P.T. Barnum
March 23 1854 (Date manufactured/created)
3.25 in H
X
3 in W
X
3.25 in D
Silver Christening cup given as a gift to Frances B. Thompson, daughter of Caroline and David Thompson, and the first grandchild of P. T. and Charity Barnum. Caroline was the Barnum's eldest daughter. The mug-shaped silver cup is highly decorated with engraved designs surrounding a large cartouche ("framed" area for text) that reads "Frances B. Thompson / from her Grandmother, / F. Thompson / Mch 23. 1854." She was born on December 17, 1853.
It was common for a Christening ceremony to take place two or three months after the birth of an infant, as the date of this cup suggests was the case for Frances. Silver cups, for those who could afford to make such gifts, were traditional and cherished Christening gifts; the information engraved on them also helps preserve the family history. Frances's paternal grandparents were Eli and Frances Thompson, and so she was likely named after her grandmother, though possibly also in memory of one of Caroline's sisters, also named Frances, who had died around age two.
Caroline was close with her father and went on several major trips with him during the years she was growing up. She kept diaries that document these travels. Caroline married David W. Thompson in October of 1852, and their union was happy. In addition to their daughter Frances, they had a son who was named after his famous grandfather, Phineas Taylor Barnum Thompson. Sadly, the little boy died on February 27, 1868 at age 2 years and 20 months. A silver Christening cup made by Tiffany & Co. had been given to him by P. T. Barnum, and is now privately owned. Frances married William B. Leigh in 1886, and the couple had one daughter, Nancy Barnum Leigh, who died at age 20 in 1909 and left no heirs. Frances lived to the age of 85, passing away on January 26, 1939. She was both the first and the last of P. T. Barnum's granddaughters.
It was common for a Christening ceremony to take place two or three months after the birth of an infant, as the date of this cup suggests was the case for Frances. Silver cups, for those who could afford to make such gifts, were traditional and cherished Christening gifts; the information engraved on them also helps preserve the family history. Frances's paternal grandparents were Eli and Frances Thompson, and so she was likely named after her grandmother, though possibly also in memory of one of Caroline's sisters, also named Frances, who had died around age two.
Caroline was close with her father and went on several major trips with him during the years she was growing up. She kept diaries that document these travels. Caroline married David W. Thompson in October of 1852, and their union was happy. In addition to their daughter Frances, they had a son who was named after his famous grandfather, Phineas Taylor Barnum Thompson. Sadly, the little boy died on February 27, 1868 at age 2 years and 20 months. A silver Christening cup made by Tiffany & Co. had been given to him by P. T. Barnum, and is now privately owned. Frances married William B. Leigh in 1886, and the couple had one daughter, Nancy Barnum Leigh, who died at age 20 in 1909 and left no heirs. Frances lived to the age of 85, passing away on January 26, 1939. She was both the first and the last of P. T. Barnum's granddaughters.
EL 1989.015.001