Isaac Dutton Barnard

Born in Aston Township, Delaware County, Pa., July 18, 1791, Isaac Dutton Barnard was the son of Chester County Sheriff, attorney, prothonotary, register, recorder and clerk of the court James Barnard.  Isaac began the study of law with his father in the Chester Courthouse at age 13.  At age 14, he began his civil career as clerk of the prothonotary; in 1809, he was clerk of the Prothonotary in Philadelphia County; in 1811, he returned to Chester and began study of law with William Graham; at 20, Isaac received a commission as Captain in the 14th Infantry, U.S. Army and opened a recruiting office in West Chester.  He fought in the War of 1812, taking part in the following campaigns: action at Baltimore, Sackett’s Creek, the Canadien Frontier, Fort George (where at age 21, he was promoted to Major in the same unit), La Cole’s Mill, the battles of Chrystler’s Farm and Plattsburgh, and the battle of Lyon’s Creek.  After military duty, Barnard joined the bar in May 1816.  The young attorney received an executive appointment as deputy attorney general for Chester County, 1817-1821; was elected to the state Senate, 1820-1826; secretary of State, 1826; elected as a Jacksonian to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1827, until December 6, 1831, when he resigned.  Senator Barnard died in West Chester, Pa., February 28, 1834; interred in Oakland’s Cemetery, near West Chester, Pa.  He married Harriett Darlington, the daughter of Judge Darlington.