Caroline Cornelia Thompson was P.T. Barnum’s daughter. She married David William Thompson and had two children. After her mother died, P.T. Barnum married Nancy Fish. Caroline died in 1911 from a brain injury, leaving behind a big family history.
Caroline Cornelia Thompson has been recognized as the first daughter of late author, politician, and showman P.T. Barnum.
Caroline’s father, P.T. Barnum was a popular American writer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He also co-founded the “Barnum & Bailey Circus.”
Quick Bio
| Name | Caroline Cornelia Thompson |
| Gender | Female |
| Age | 77 years (at the time of death) |
| Famous as | P.T. Barnum’s daughter |
| Date of Birth | May 27, 1833 |
| Place of Birth | Fairfield, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America |
| Date of Death | May 19, 1911 |
| Place of Death | Bridgeport, Fairfield, Connecticut, United States |
| Parents | P. T. Barnum and Charity Hallett |
| Children | P. T. Barnum Thompson and Francis B. Thompson Leigh |
| Spouse | David William Thompson |
| Siblings | Frances Irena Barnum Helen Maria HurdPauline Taylor Seeley |
Early Life of Caroline Cornelia Thompson
Caroline Cornelia Thompson was the first-born daughter of P.T. Barnum and Charity Hallet. Raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, USA, Caroline was born on May 27, 1833.
Caroline spent her early life with her parents and three siblings in her hometown. She shared a close relationship with her father and often traveled with him to promote his circus.
P.T. Barnum and Caroline were traveling partners. According to the sources, Caroline traveled with her father in 1950 during his production of Jenny Lind’s tour of America.
Education and Profession
Caroline Cornelia Thompson was not known for a specific profession and her educational background is not known. She was very close to her father and often traveled with him.
Caroline was primarily recognized for her familial ties to P.T. Barnum and her involvement in his life and activities.
Her Father: P.T. Barnum
P.T. Barnum was born on July 5, 1810, in Bethel, Connecticut. His father did many jobs like farming and running an inn.
When his father died, Barnum had to help his family. He did different jobs like owning a store, selling books, and running a newspaper. In 1829, at the age of 19, he got married and had four daughters.
Barnum moved to New York City in 1834. He opened the American Museum and later started his circus, named “The Greatest Show on Earth.”
He was good at getting people interested in his shows and made a lot of money. Barnum also got involved in politics and was known for giving to charities.
Barnum died in 1891 at his home in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was considered the most famous and widely known American of the 19th century.
Her Mother: Charity Hallett
Charity Hallett was a seamstress from Connecticut. She met P.T. Barnum when she asked him to escort a customer home during a storm. They got married in 1829 in New York City.
They had three daughters: Caroline, Helen, and Pauline. Sadly, their fourth daughter, Frances, died when she was young.
Charity was known for always supporting her family, especially when Barnum was busy with work.
Even when they faced tough times and Barnum went bankrupt, Charity stayed strong for her family.
Charity passed away in 1873 after being married to Barnum for 44 years.
P. T. Barnum’s Second Marriage
After Caroline Cornelia Thompson’s mother passed away, her father P. T. Barnum remarried.
He married Nancy Fish, who became Caroline Cornelia’s stepmother. Nancy was the daughter of P. T. Barnum’s good friend John Fish. She was 40 years younger than P. T. Barnum.
P. T. Barnum and Nancy had two weddings. They first got married in London on February 14, 1874.
They later married in New York City on September 15, 1874. They went on a honeymoon at the Windsor Hotel in New York City and seemed happy together.
P. T. Barnum’s children liked Nancy, despite being close in age to her. They stayed married until P. T. Barnum passed away.
Caroline Thompson’s Siblings
Caroline Cornelia Thompson had three siblings. Her sisters were Helen Maria Hurd, Frances Irena Barnum, and Pauline Taylor Seeley.
Helen was born in 1840 and passed away in 1915. Frances was born in 1842 and sadly died at a young age in 1844.
Pauline was born in 1846 and died in 1877. Caroline was the eldest among her siblings.
Personal and Marital Life
Caroline Cornelia Thompson married David William Thompson on October 19, 1852. He was a businessman from Bridgeport.
On their wedding day, there was a fire that almost burned down her father’s mansion. They had two children together.
Their son, Phineas Taylor Barnum Thompson, passed away on February 27, 1868.
Their daughter, Francis B. Thompson Leigh, was born on December 27, 1853. She died on January 26, 1939, when she was 85 years old.
What Happened to Caroline’s Father, P.T. Barnum?
Caroline Cornelia Thompson’s father passed away on April 7, 1891, at his home in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA.
P.T. Barnum was 80 years old and died from a stroke. He was buried in Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport. He designed this cemetery himself.
P. T. Barnum left his widow, Nancy Fish, several inheritances. This included $100,000, their home called Marina in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Additionally, he left her an annuity of $40,000.
Net Worth and Status
There is no specific information present about the net worth and financial status of Caroline Cornelia Thompson.
However, her father, P.T. Barnum’s net worth was estimated to be around $4 million dollars at the time of his death in 1891.
Caroline Cornelia Thompson’s Death
Caroline Cornelia Thompson passed away on May 19, 1911, in Bridgeport, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA.
She was 77 years old at the time. She died from a brain concussion she got after falling.
Caroline was buried in Mountain Grove Cemetery and Mausoleum in Bridgeport, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA.
