Frederick Bingham by W. D. Ritter

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. Mrs. Bingham was fife major. In the making up of that regiment my father heard him play the fife. Father said his uniform was red as blood and 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 battles. You remember all 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. Bingham’s regiment was discharged and he returned home. Under the United States militia law, which continued 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, Green county, of which he was fife major until the militia system ceased. To all the people of the county, "Frederick, the fifer", as he was lovingly called, was well and favorably known.

One of the very first things I remember was the big music days in Bloomfield, with Ferderick for fifer and his little boy iram, for drummer. That fife’s keen notes I shall never forget, even one of his lod tunes I still remember that he played in Bloomfield as long ago as 1831. While on parade Mr. Bingham carried himself with spirit and bearing that was inspiring. The very breath of his nostrils seemd 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 POWELL, 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. Bingham owned land 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 hogshed of tobacco at Todd’s Warehouse in Louisville, Kentucky, about to year 1830, it being the best one there that year. You remember that Mrs. Abraham Lincoln was a Todd, of Kentucky. The owner of the 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 the house appointed for all the living and is buried in the Bingham graveyard in Center township, near Solsberry.

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Biographical Memoirs of Greene County, Ind. With Reminiscences of Pioneer Days, Illustrated (1908, B. F. Bowen & Co. Indianapolis, Indiana) Vol. 1 Pg. 105-7