Isaac Dutton Barnard (July 18, 1791 – February 28, 1834) was an American militia leader, lawyer, and politician who served as a United States Senator for Pennsylvania from 1827 to 1831. He served as a Major in the U.S. Army during the War of 1812 and as a Pennsylvania State Senator for the 4th district from 1820 until 1826.
Early life and education
Barnard was born is Aston Township, Pennsylvania[1] to James and Susanna Dutton Barnard.[2] The family name is derived from Roche-Bernard in Normandy, France where the family originated. Barnard's great-grandfather, Richard emigrated to Chester County, Pennsylvania prior to 1686.[3]
At age 20, Barnard received a commission as Captain of the Fourteenth Regiment, United States Infantry. He opened a recruitment station in West Chester, Pennsylvania. He fought in the War of 1812 and saw action at Baltimore, Sackett's Creek, the Canadien Frontier, Fort George, La Cole's Mill, the battle of Crysler's Farm, the Battle of Plattsburgh and Lyon's Creek.[1] At Fort George, he was promoted from captain to major in the same unit for meritorious service.[3]
He served as a Major General of the Pennsylvania State Militia.[2]
Political career
After the war ended he resumed his legal studies,[4] and was admitted to the bar on May 1, 1816.[3] He began practicing law in West Chester.[4] Barnard was the deputy attorney general for Chester County from 1817 to 1821,[5] and an Assistant Burgess in the government of the borough of West Chester in 1821, 1824, and 1825.[6] Barnard was also a major-general of militia, and declined the judgeship of Chester County.[3]
In 1820, Barnard married Harriet Darlington, the daughter of Isaac Darlington. She died during childbirth in 1823 and he never remarried.[2]
Legacy
Barnard died on February 28, 1834, in West Chester. He was originally interred at the Friends Burying Ground on North High Street but after twenty years he was re-interred in Oaklands Cemetery.[9]
William Everhart, a wealthy merchant and friend of Barnard's, named a street in West Chester after Barnard sometime after the summer of 1830.[10]
In 1854, a monument in Oaklands Cemetery was erected in his memory.[11]
