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 Washing-
ton and Marion. When, in 1814, the British forces un-
der 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 Balti-
more 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 reg-
iment 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.
Bine-ham's regiment was discharged and he returned
home. Under the United States militia law, which con-
tinued 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 mili-
tia system ceased. To all the people of the county, "Fred-
erick, 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 Pow-
ell, and to them were born Hiram; Eliza Ann, now wife
of Elsbery Anderson, of Center township, from whom
these facts are obtained ; Alfred and Edmund. Mr. Bing-
ham 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.