Isaac D. Barnard
Encyclopedia
Isaac Dutton Barnard was an American Senator from Pennsylvania. He moved to a farm near Chester
with his parents, and was a scholar at several public schools. He later resided in Philadelphia until 1811, when he moved back to Chester. While he was studying law
, Barnard became a member of the Fourteenth Regiment, United States Infantry, and served in the War of 1812
. He fought at the Battle of Plattsburgh
, and the Battle of Lyon Creek, and promoted from captain to major
for meritorious service. After the war ended he resumed his legal studies, and was admitted to the bar
on May 1, 1816. He began practicing law in West Chester
. Barnard was the deputy attorney general for Chester County
from 1817 to 1821, and an Assistant Burgess in the government of the borough
of West Chester in 1821, 1824, and 1825. Barnard was also a major-general
of militia
, and declined the judgeship of Chester County.
Beginning in 1820, and ending in 1826, he was a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate
, and the year he left the State Senate, he was the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
. He was elected to the United States Senate
as a Jacksonian
, and began his first term on March 4, 1827. During the 21st
and 22nd United States Congress
es, he was the chairman of the Committee on Militia. In 1829, Barnard was closely defeated in his attempt to gain the nomination for Governor of Pennsylvania. He undertook part of a second Senate term, but resigned from the Senate on December 6, 1831, due to ill health. He was replaced by a future Vice President of the United States
, George M. Dallas
. Just before he resigned, the New York
papers were reportedly demanding that Barnard be given a place in the United States Cabinet
. Barnard died on February 28, 1834, in West Chester, and was interred in Oakland's Cemetery nearby. William Everhart
, a wealthy merchant
, named a street after Barnard, with whom he was a friend, which had been created after Everhart divided up a farm into lots sometime after the summer of 1830.
Chester, Pennsylvania
Chester is a city in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States, with a population of 33,972 at the 2010 census. Chester is situated on the Delaware River, between the cities of Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware.- History :...
with his parents, and was a scholar at several public schools. He later resided in Philadelphia until 1811, when he moved back to Chester. While he was studying law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
, Barnard became a member of the Fourteenth Regiment, United States Infantry, and served in the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. He fought at the Battle of Plattsburgh
Battle of Plattsburgh
The Battle of Plattsburgh, also known as the Battle of Lake Champlain, ended the final invasion of the northern states during the War of 1812...
, and the Battle of Lyon Creek, and promoted from captain to major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
for meritorious service. After the war ended he resumed his legal studies, and was admitted to the bar
Bar (law)
Bar in a legal context has three possible meanings: the division of a courtroom between its working and public areas; the process of qualifying to practice law; and the legal profession.-Courtroom division:...
on May 1, 1816. He began practicing law in West Chester
West Chester, Pennsylvania
The Borough of West Chester is the county seat of Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 18,461 at the 2010 census.Valley Forge, the Brandywine Battlefield, Longwood Gardens, Marsh Creek State Park, and other historical attractions are near West Chester...
. Barnard was the deputy attorney general for Chester County
Chester County, Pennsylvania
-State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-Demographics:As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were...
from 1817 to 1821, and an Assistant Burgess in the government of the borough
Borough
A borough is an administrative division in various countries. In principle, the term borough designates a self-governing township although, in practice, official use of the term varies widely....
of West Chester in 1821, 1824, and 1825. Barnard was also a major-general
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
of militia
Militia (United States)
The role of militia, also known as military service and duty, in the United States is complex and has transformed over time.Spitzer, Robert J.: The Politics of Gun Control, Page 36. Chatham House Publishers, Inc., 1995. " The term militia can be used to describe any number of groups within the...
, and declined the judgeship of Chester County.
Beginning in 1820, and ending in 1826, he was a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate
Pennsylvania State Senate
The Pennsylvania State Senate has been meeting since 1791. It is the upper house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania state legislature. The State Senate meets in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. Senators are elected for four year terms, staggered every two years such...
, and the year he left the State Senate, he was the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania administers the Pennsylvania Department of State of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania...
. He was elected to the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
as a Jacksonian
Jacksonian democracy
Jacksonian democracy is the political movement toward greater democracy for the common man typified by American politician Andrew Jackson and his supporters. Jackson's policies followed the era of Jeffersonian democracy which dominated the previous political era. The Democratic-Republican Party of...
, and began his first term on March 4, 1827. During the 21st
21st United States Congress
-House of Representatives:-Leadership:- Senate :* President: John C. Calhoun * President pro tempore: Samuel Smith - House of Representatives :* Speaker: Andrew Stevenson -Members:This list is arranged by chamber, then by state...
and 22nd United States Congress
22nd United States Congress
-House of Representatives:-Leadership:- Senate :* President:** John C. Calhoun , resigned December 28, 1832, thereafter vacant.* President pro tempore:** Samuel Smith , first elected December 5, 1831** Littleton W...
es, he was the chairman of the Committee on Militia. In 1829, Barnard was closely defeated in his attempt to gain the nomination for Governor of Pennsylvania. He undertook part of a second Senate term, but resigned from the Senate on December 6, 1831, due to ill health. He was replaced by a future Vice President of the United States
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
, George M. Dallas
George M. Dallas
George Mifflin Dallas was a U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania and the 11th Vice President of the United States , serving under James K. Polk.-Family and early life:...
. Just before he resigned, the New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
papers were reportedly demanding that Barnard be given a place in the United States Cabinet
United States Cabinet
The Cabinet of the United States is composed of the most senior appointed officers of the executive branch of the federal government of the United States, which are generally the heads of the federal executive departments...
. Barnard died on February 28, 1834, in West Chester, and was interred in Oakland's Cemetery nearby. William Everhart
William Everhart
William Everhart was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.William Everhart was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania. He attended the common schools and became a civil engineer. Everhart served in the War of 1812 as captain of a company of riflemen...
, a wealthy merchant
Merchant
A merchant is a businessperson who trades in commodities that were produced by others, in order to earn a profit.Merchants can be one of two types:# A wholesale merchant operates in the chain between producer and retail merchant...
, named a street after Barnard, with whom he was a friend, which had been created after Everhart divided up a farm into lots sometime after the summer of 1830.