Memorials › MAJ Frederick Bingham

MAJ Frederick Bingham

22 Feb 1792 – 10 Mar 1859

Birth22 Feb 1792
Death10 Mar 1859
CemeteryBingham Cemetery
Solsberry , Greene County , Indiana , USA
Added bySusan (Haldeman) Fowler on 22 Aug 2005
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11585582

Bio

Son of Edmond and Lucy (Bays) Bingham. Married Obediance Powell Farmer Aug. 7, 1812 in Halifax Co., Virginia. Parents of Hiram, Eliza Ann, Elizabeth, Alfred and Edmond F. FREDERICK BINGHAM was bom in Virginia, February 22, 1792, in the same state and on the same day of the month that produced Washington. Another coincident in this nation's history was the year 1732, which gave the world both Washington and Marion. When, in 1814, the British forces under Admiral Cockburn and General Ross, were operating in the waters and vicinity of Chesapeake Bay, when the city of Washington was captured and burned and Baltimore attacked. It was supposed that Norfolk would be captured, it being considered the "key" of the bay. Of a regiment of infantry that marched to defend Norfolk, part of them were from Virginia and part from North Carolina. Air Bingham was fife major. In the making up of that regiment my father heard him play the fife. Father said his uniform was red as blood and had round, shiny brass buttons on it the size of musket balls. And the very sight of him, together with his stirring music, sent a thrill through the people like an electric shock. No real attack was made on Norfolk, so Mr. Bingham was in no battle. You all remember that while the British were fighting to take Baltimore Francis S. Key wrote "Star Spangled Banner." After the danger was passed and the war over Mr. Bingham's regiment was discharged and he returned home. Under the United States militia law, which continued in force on up to about 1840, he was still a very active and efficient fifer, both in Virginia and Indiana. Virginia was his home until about 1830, when he moved to Indiana, first on White River, then to Center township, Greene county, of which he was fife major until the militia system ceased. To all the people of the county, "Frederick, the fifer," as he was lovingly called, was well and favorably known. One of the very first things I remember was the big muster days in Bloomfield, with Frederick for fifer and his little boy, Hiram, for drummer. That fife's keen notes I shall never forget, even one of his old tunes I still remember that he played in Bloomfield as long ago as 1 83 1. While on parade Mr. Bingham carried himself with spirit and bearing that was inspiring. The very breath of his nostrils seemed to be patriotism coupled with high resolve. A militia muster was a "high day" in those times of long ago. In Virginia he was married to Miss Obedience Powell, and to them were born Hiram,0 Eliza Ann, now wife of Elsbery Anderson, of Center township, from whom these facts are obtained, Alfred and Edmund. Mr. Bingham owned laud and pursued the occupation of farmer in section 12, township 7 north, range 4 west. He was an industrious, honest man, known and read of all men. He took a premium on a hogshead of tobacco at Todd's warehouse in Louisville, Kentucky, about the year 1836, it being- the best one there that year. You remember that Mrs. Abraham Lincoln was a Todd, of Kentucky. The owner of that warehouse was her relative. Also here in Greene county when a warehouse was established at old Point Commerce he was appointed tobacco inspector in it, which office he held for many years. In March, 1859, he went to the house appointed for all the living and is buried in the Bingham graveyard in Center township, near Solsberry.

Inscription

FIFER VA MILITIA WAR OF 1812

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