Hon. Horace FIFIELD was born in Orange, Orange county, February 1 1807. His boyhood was not unlike that of other boys of that period, and was spent at home until he was fifteen years of age. Having heard from his neighbors' sons who had visited Boston, some interesting accounts of that city, he conceived the idea that he would visit the "Hub," and communicated his intentions to his mother, but not to his father, fearing his opposition to the plan. His mother gave him her aid in the matter, and just before his preparations for the journey were completed, the project was laid before his father, who gave him permission to go. In Boston he at once secured the position of coach-boy in the employ of a brother of Dr. PARKMAN, who was murdered by Prof. WEBSTER. He saved his earnings, and returned to his home in the fall, the proud possessor of $72 in silver tied up securely in his pocket handkerchief. His father's death, which occurred when he was but seventeen years of age, and the force of circumstances in which he and the family were then placed, changed his predetermined plans for a thorough school course. He had even packed his trunk and engaged passage to Montpelier, where he intended to enter school. His brother Orange, in the meantime, saw the driver of the old stage coach, and informed him that Horace would not go, and he was left at home. Thus, by this little circumstance, his plans for a life time were all changed. Before the close of that day he had purchased the interest of all the other heirs to the homestead, and incurred the further obligation to give a home to his mother and four sisters, which duty he faithfully performed. His mother died in 1844. Besides giving his attention to his farm, he was an extensive dealer in live stock, which he drove to Brighton market. He also had a contract to furnish beef and mutton for several regiments of soldiers in Montreal, and for twenty-eight consecutive winters he fattened and slaughtered large numbers of beef cattle and sheep, and sent them, frozen, to Montreal and Boston. In this extensive trade some seasons he slaughtered 4,000 sheep, and large numbers of beef cattle.

     Mr. FIFIELD is a staunch old-school Jacksonian Democrat, but has given his attention to the good of the town rather than to the party. In 1841 and 1842 he represented his native town in the popular branch of the state legislature, and was senator of his district in 1845 and 1846. Among his associate senators were Judge VILAS, Judge KIDDER, and Judge BLODGETT. When Mr. FIFIELD became a citizen of Barre he became thoroughly identified with all its interests. He advocated the building of the Barre railroad from the first inception to the final completion of this important enterprise. He was a co-worker with that eminent educator, Dr. Spaulding, in the interests of Barre Academy, and after his death the chairman of the board of trustees. He has always been a zealous advocate of temperance, and gives his time, influence, and money to all the genuine reforms and the building up of the educational and moral interests of Barre.

     December 3, 1835, Mr. FIFIELD united in marriage with Nester A., daughter of Rev. Zadoc and Abigail HUBBARD, of Barre, and their union has been blessed with three sons and five daughters, viz.: (1) Jennie S., born October 17, 1836, married, October 29, 1881, S. E. HOWE, Esq., who is station agent for the Central Vermont railroad at Montpelier; (2) Helen M., born July y, 1838, married William M. HURLBURT, of Winona, Minn., January 16, 1866, and died August 20, 1885, and left one child, Abbie E.; (3) Abbie I., born March 14, 1840, married Henny SAFFORD, of Springfield, Vt., December 27, 1865, died April 2, 1870, leaving one child, Helen T.; (4) a son, born October 20, 1842, died at birth; (5) Nester, born December 10, 1843, married Victor RICHARDSON, of Corinth, Vt., June 10, 1869, and has one son, Horace A., now a clerk in Barre postoffice; (6) Ella M., born May 7, 1846, married, April 9, 1879, J. W. HOSMER, of Chicago, Ill.; (7) George H., born May 28, 1849, married, January 1, 1872, Emma WHEELER, of Winona, Minn. Their children are Frank H., Ella, and Edna. George H. FIFIELD owns an extensive stock farm and is a large dealer in milk. He resides three miles from Winona city. (8) DeWitt Clinton, born October 13, 1852, died in Winona, unmarried, October 7, 1878.

     Richard Sawyer CURRIER, the subject of this sketch, was born in Orange, Orange county, June 22, 1803. His father, Rev. Ezekiel Currier, was born June 19, 1773, and immigrated from Hampstead, N. H., and purchased a tract of land near East Orange, of John PORTER, one of the original grantees of the township, and gave the horse with which he had made the journey together with the saddle and saddle-bags in payment. On this place he established a home where all but two of his eleven children were born. Rev. Ezekiel CURRIER was a circuit preacher of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in the itinerancy traveled over much of Eastern Vermont. He died September 27, 1851. His wife, Hannah (SAWYER) CURRIER, died many years earlier. Their children were John. Hannah, Betsey, Nancy, Richard S., Lurinda, Sabin, Susan, Newel S., Filura, and James M.

     After the next four years spent on his father's farm he removed to Washington, but in the near neighborhood of the old home, where he spent sixteen years in successful farming and dealing in real estate, quite extensively in live stock, farm produce, and lumber, and also operated a mill. In 1853 he disposed of his real estate in Washington and removed to Barre, for the purpose of giving his children all the educational advantages afforded by Barre Academy. His purchase in Barre was the "RIPLEY farm," now CURRIER park, where he resided the remainder of his life. In politics Mr. CURRIER was a Republican, but not an office seeker. He was active in all the real interests for the good of the public, and his good common sense, sound judgment, and honesty made him a safe advisor, and an essential advantage to his town. He despised pomp and show and hated shams. His analytical mind traced causes to their legitimate effects, and enabled him to forecast events likely to follow. Mr. CURRIER was thorough in all things, and a champion for right and when he had decided on a course of action he was not easily turned aside. Waste of time, talents, or property he abhorred, and he desired to turn everything to the best possible advantage of his community and the whole world. And consequently his benefits, not few nor small, were bestowed in a way to help men to help themselves. He was bold and self-reliant in his own business, but reluctant in assuming responsibilities for others. Mr. CURRIER was a devoted husband and an indulgent father, but insisted on receiving the loving obedience of his children, and considered it a most important duty to so instruct his children in early life as to insure to them a fair prospect of success and happiness. This is the testimony of one of them: "We were taught that an untruth was never to be excused or palliated, hardly to be forgiven." Mr. CURRIER served as the efficient treasurer of Barre Academy, and gave to its financial interests the same faithful attention that he did to his own affairs. He foresaw that Barre's granite would make the town rich, and often said his farm would ultimately be covered with dwellings. He died in Barre, June 9, 1875. Mrs. CURRIER still survives. Their children are (1) Caroline Fidelia, born December 23, 1833, married Stedman C. CHUBB, August 14, 1856, (a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work). (2) Charles L., born August 25, 1836, married CeLinda DICKEY, March 30, 1858, and settled in Hardwick, Caledonia county, where he remained until 1874, when he returned to Barre. Their children are Richard S., born May 15, 1859, was educated at Barre Academy and Dartmouth College, graduated in the class of 1885, is a merchant in Barre, married Miss Julia A. MCCARTY, November 27, 1886, and has a son, George R.; Fannie E., born March 3, 1862, graduated at Barre Academy in 1881, married John W. CONNELL, December 26, 1885, and has one child, John V.; Laura E., born June 16, 1866, graduated at Barre Academy in 1885; and Charles S., born December 16, 1867, graduated at Barre Academy and is now a student at Dartmouth College, class of 1890. (3) Fannie E., born October 3, 1847, married George F. COMMINGS, October 12, 1874, and has six children, Mary, Alice, Ellen, Benjamin, Fannie, and George, and lives in St. Joseph, Mich. (4) Ella V., born October 2, 1851, married Gilbert HUTCHINSON, July 22, 1870, has two children, Arthur and Chattie Fidelia, and also lives in St. Joseph, Mich.

     Charles TEMPLETON was born in East Montpelier, October 10, 1822, where he resided, with the exception of three years, until 1867. He was three years in Wisconsin dealing in wheat and flour. He has since dealt extensively in real estate, and superintended the sinking of an oil well, for a company of which he was a member, in Petrolia, Canada West, and which was a success. He came to look after his landed property in Barre village, where he now lives. His tract in Barre was the lands now occupied by nearly all the granite cutting firms, besides thirty house lots. At the time Goddard Seminary was built, besides contributing liberally, he served on the executive committee, gave most of his time for three years to its completion, and still is interested in the success of the institution, and is yet one of its executive committee. He is vice-president of the Ansable Granite Co., of Keeseville, N. Y., a director of the National Bank of Barre, and owns quite an amount of real estate in farms. Mr. TEMPLETON has been married twice. His first wife, Lucy L. BASSETT, of East Montpelier, died in 1848. His second wife, Mary J. COPELAND, was the daughter of Rev. E. COPELAND, and the mother of his daughters Jennie L. and Mary E., who reside with their father at 160 North Main street. Mrs. TEMPLETON died June 25, 1882.

     John Henry JACKSON, the subject of this sketch, is a descendant of James JACKSON, an Englishman and a tory who came to this country in early life and died in Petersham, Mass., in 1810, at the age of eighty years. He was the father of ten children-two sons and eight daughters. John JACKSON, the younger of the two sons, was born July 16, 1771; graduated from Dartmouth College in 1792; was ordained pastor of the Congregational church in Gill, Mass., January 10, 1798; and, February 27th, of the same year, married Rebecca RODGERS, of New Ipswich, Mass., a descendant of John RODGERS the martyr. In 1812 he removed from Gill to Stukely, "Lower Canada'' and in 1815 settled in Brome of the same province, where he died March 18, 1844. For nearly thirty years he was an active missionary in that region, at the same time performing the duties of a justice of the peace. To this day his memory is revered in scores of homes in Brome and vicinity for his devotion and sacrifices to establish the Redeemer's kingdom. When the Congregational church was organized in Brome, after years of toil and sacrifices for this object, he is reported to have said, as one of old, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace." Of his five sons and three daughters but one son is living, the father of Dr. JACKSON.

     Horatio Nelson JACKSON was born March 5, 1810. He married Eliza Maria HOLLISTER, July 15, 1833, and lived in Brome for the next thirty-seven years. Mr. JACKSON was made a justice of the peace soon after his father's death, and held the office till his removal to Montreal, in 1870, where he still resides. Mrs. JACKSON's life was a beautiful one, showing all the fullness and fervor of a strong Christian character combined with the strength and ability of a cultivated scholar. She sweetly "fell asleep" April 14, 1881. Three sons were left to rejoice in the memory of so blessed a mother. The eldest, Joseph Addison JACKSON, M. D., a graduate of McGill College, has been a successful physician and surgeon in Lawrenceville, N. Y., and in Manchester, N. H. The second son, Rev. Samuel Nelson JACKSON, M. D., is pastor of the First Congregational church in Kingston, Ontario, and lecturer in the Congregational College of British North America, Montreal. Previous to his present charge he held pulpits in Montreal and Toronto. In addition to pulpit and parish work he was for years editor of the Canadian Independent and of the Canadian Year Book. He was secretary of the missionary society of the denomination for four years and now holds the position of treasurer.

     John Henry JACKSON, M. D., the youngest son, subject of this sketch, was born in Brome, Province of Quebec, April 19, 1844. He, as his brothers, received an academic education under Dr. SPAULDING, graduating from Barre Academy in 1862z and from the Medical department of the University of Vermont in 1865, also receiving the honorary degree of Master of Arts from the latter institution in 1882. He began his professional career in Stockholm, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1865. June 24, 1867, he married Anna Dutton WELLS, of Brasher Falls, N. Y., who died November 29, 1868. In 1869, December 24th, he married Cora A. Wood, and removed to Barre December 30, 1870, where he continues to reside.

     Dr. JACKSON's early career in Barre was beset with more than the usual difficulties and obstacles in the way of a young physician, but by sheer force of merit he has gained the foremost position and practice of his town, together with a name for professional skill and scholarly attainments that reaches beyond the state. In these years of increasing professional duties he has, nevertheless, devoted himself to the advancement of the religious, educational, and material interests of the community. He joined the Congregational church of Brome at an early age, and became an active member of the Barre Congregational church on making this place his home. From 1873 to 1875 he was superintendent of the Sunday-school, and for many years was a member of the executive committee of the society; in this position he was largely instrumental in maturing the plans and bringing to successful completion the extensive remodeling of the church in the years 1885-87. Dr. JACKSON was elected superintendent of public schools in 1881-82. For many years he was a trustee and treasurer of Barre Academy. It was due to his untiring industry that the beautiful monument to Dr. and Mrs. SPAULDING, in Barre cemetery, was erected, through the contributions he secured from students to whom the memories of their loved teacher and friend are precious. Dr. JACKSON was elected representative to the Vermont legislature in 1878-79, and has always maintained a lively interest in the prosperity of the town. It was due to his personal oversight and watchfulness that the bills granting the village charter and incorporating the Barre water works passed the legislature of 1886. He was elected the first bailiff of the village under the charter, but was compelled to decline on account of other duties, though he retains the position of president of the water works company. Among the secret and benevolent orders Dr. JACKSON is claimed as a member of the I. O. O. F., Clan Gordon of O. S. C., and is prominent in the Masonic circles of New England. He was master of Granite Lodge several years, and district deputy five years. At the annual session of the Supreme Council, S. G. I. G. N. M. J., held in Boston, Mass., September 18, 1888, "The 33d and last degree was conferred upon him in full form, and he was received, welcomed, and proclaimed S. G. I. G. of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, and enrolled as an honorary member of the Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic jurisdiction."

     In 1881, as president of the Vermont State Medical society, he addressed the medical students of the University of Vermont, and the following year was elected professor of physiology in that institution. Each year has but added to the popularity which he gained through his first course of clear, scholarly, and eloquent lectures in 1882, The success attending his practice at home, together with his popularity in the medical college, where his skill and scholarship are recognized and honored, have brought him many flattering invitations to remove to larger fields, but we are glad to see in the erection of his beautiful home on South Main street, which now engages his attention, the evidence that he intends to remain in the field, where the difficulties of his life and profession have been mastered, and where his skill and learning are meeting their reward.

     Andrew E. FIELD, M. D., son of Alpheus and Rhoda (EMERSON) FIELD, was born in Berlin, December 21, 1820. Until he was twenty years old he attended school and worked at farming. He was a student at Thetford Academy and the old Washington County Grammar school at Montpelier. He studied medicine with Dr. Orren SMITH, of Berlin, attended medical college at Woodstock, and graduated at Dartmouth Medical College in 1845. He located in Orange, Orange county, where he practiced about five years. He then purchased the practice of Dr. BRALEY, of Washington, and removed to that town, where he practiced until 1871. He then located in Barre, where he is now engaged in the practice of his profession. In connection with his professional duties, the first seven years of his residence in Barre he was a druggist. February 29, 1848, he married Clarinda, daughter of David NELSON, of Orange, who has borne him three children. Edna L., who married Dr. H. O. WORTHEN, and Clinton N. are now living.

     Dr. Norman W. BRALEY, son of George H. and Desire BRALEY, was born in. Pomfret, Windsor county, August 14, 1823. He studied medicine with Prof. Benjamin R. PALMER and graduated from the Vermont Medical College in. 1844. For some months after he graduated he rode with Dr. CHANDLER, of Montpelier. In 1845 he settled in Washington, Orange county, and remained, there until 1851, when he removed to Chelsea, where he built up an extensive practice, and won a reputation and standing among the leading and most successful physicians in his county and state. In 1872 he removed to Barre, to be relieved of his laborious practice, which he had continued for the whole time he resided in Washington, and to give his sons the advantages afforded by Goddard Seminary. He at once identified himself with the interests of his adopted town, and united with her enterprising citizens to push to a successful issue the long projected railroad which existed then only on paper. Recognizing the great benefits that would accrue to the town on its completion he gave it his hearty support, and that he and the people were enabled to celebrate its completion July 4, 1875, was largely due to his exertions. With the cooperation of Hon. B. W. BARTHOLOMEW, of Washington, the old. bank of Chelsea was removed to Barre and chartered as the National Bank of Barre. Dr. BRALEY was its efficient president at the time of his death. He advised the moneyed men of Barre to take the stock and organize the Stafford & Holders Manufacturing Co., and as its efficient president he was successful to place it on the prosperous business basis that it has enjoyed. As a trustee of Goddard Seminary he was untiring in his labors for its success, and was a generous contributor to defray its current expenses, deficits, and to create a ten thousand dollar endowment fund. He was also a liberal supporter of the Universalist church and society, and the chairman of the committee on repairs, which put the church edifice in its present fine condition. Although much engrossed in his own large business affairs, he found time to investigate all questions of general interest, and gave respectful attention, aid, and advice to numerous friends, neighbors, and townsmen who often sought it. At his death, which occurred September 11, 1880, Barre lost one of its most esteemed, enterprising, and generous citizens. November 16, 1852, he united in marriage with Miss Arminia P. CALEF, of Washington. Three of their four children are now living. The eldest, Bether W., is a physician and surgeon in successful practice of his profession in Barre. George H. is in the West, and contemplates entering banking business. Fred N. is a student at Goddard Seminary.

     John CHUBB, whose ancestors came from England, came from Charlton, Mass., about 1790, and located on a farm in the northwest part of Corinth, Orange county, where he resided the remainder of his life. His children were Chester, Joseph, Phebe, Louis, John, Jr., and Aaron. Only Aaron is now living. John CHUBB, Jr., was born in 1799. He married Lucy, daughter of Capt. George WOOD, of Lyme, N. H., who was lost at sea. Mr. CHUBB, besides cultivating his farm, manufactured shoes for a firm in Salem, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. CHUBB had nine children, three of whom are now living.

     Stedman C. CHUBB, son of John, Jr., was born on the old homestead in Corinth, September 19, 1828. When he was seventeen years of age he commenced the trade of mason, and for his first season's service received five dollars per month. In winter he taught penmanship. After he had acquired his trade he spent seven years in Manchester, N. H. August 14, 1856, he united in marriage with Miss Caroline F. CURRIER, of Barre, and went to St. Johnsbury, where he engaged to superintend the mason work of E. & T. Fairbanks & Co. This position he filled the ensuing twenty-four years. In the time he rebuilt and enlarged the scale works, built the academy buildings; court-house, Atheneum, and numerous other buildings in St. Johnsbury and in Hanover, N. H. Mr. CHUBB came to Barre in 1880, and was in the granite business with J. P. HARRINGTON one year. He then bought the R. S. CURRIER property, and for three years was engaged in breeding full blood Jersey cattle. In 1884 he presented to the town of Barre two acres of land to be used for a public park. About this park he laid out building lots, upon which have been erected many elegant and beautiful residences, and now Currier park is out of the pleasantest locations of Barre village. Mr. and Mrs. CHUBB are now (1888) enjoying an extended tour through the countries of Europe, and anticipate a visit to the Holy Land before they return to Vermont.

     In the War of 1812 Barre responded to the call for volunteers with loyal zeal, and when the news came that the British were about to invade Plattsburgh the excitement was intense; and the universal response was "To arms." The military company that left Barre for Burlington to defend Plattsburgh numbered 117 men. This took nearly all the young men who were of suitable age for military duty, and a few of the Revolutionary soldiers who desired to have one more tilt at arms with British red-coats. All parts of the town were represented in this company. The farmer left his farm, the mechanic his shop, and the merchant his store. The company hastened on foot and arrived in Burlington, on Saturday, the day before the battle. But, for lack of means of transportation across the lake, none of the company participated in the fight. Most of the men returned home without crossing the lake. Some went over and enlisted in the regular army.

     A carefully prepared report from Augustus CLAFLIN, Esq., which we subjoin, will show how efficiently and patriotically Barre did her whole duty in the suppression of the late Rebellion:

"Whole number of three years men enlisted and credited to the town, 125; one year men, 21; nine months men, 38; drafted men held to service, 17; total. 201. Of the 17 drafted men 8 furnished substitutes, 8 paid commutation money, and only 1 entered the service. The number of men who were killed or died was 33; the number wounded and living, 15. Albert GOBAR, a bounty jumper, who afterwards returned under the President's proclamation of pardon, is the only deserter reported.      "Bounties were paid to 23 men. Co. B, 10th Regt., raised by subscription $575; to nine months men $25 each, by subscription, $725; to 10 nine months men $50 each, $500; to 28 three years men $300 each, $8,400; to 14 three months men $200 each, $2,800; to Albert and Anson FRENCH, twin brothers, one of whom was drafted, and the other enlisted to be with him, $600; to C. H. RICHARDSON, who reenlisted, $300; to 19 one year men, $11,060; to 2 men mustered at Windsor, $1,225; to 2 colored recruit, $400; to 9 navy men, $7,200; to Byron CARLTON, James POWERS, C. WOODWARD, $1,5224.50; to those who went in 2d Regt. Vt. Vols., June, 1861, by subscription, $55; total, $35,364.50.      "The total expense to the town, for selectmen's and surgeons' services, for subsistence of recruits, and other incidental expenses in raising the quota of troops, under different calls, is given at $35,995.24; total public expense, $71,369.74. Money was paid by individuals as follows: Amount paid by enrolled men who furnished substitutes, $600; amount paid by drafted men who furnished substitutes, $2,600; amount paid by drafted men as commutation, $2,400; total, $5,600."

THE BARRE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

      The Barre Congregational church was organized November 14, 1799, with twelve members, two of whom, Ezekiel WOOD and Nathaniel KILLAM, were chosen for the office of deacon. No minister was settled over the church till 1807. In the meantime Father HOBART, of Berlin, held frequent services in some house, school, or barn, till the erection of a church and the settlement of a pastor. Aaron PALMER became the first pastor in 1807 and remained in office till his death in 1821. Justus W. FRENCH became the second pastor in 1822 and remained till the close of 1831. The order and dates of the other pastors are as follows: Joseph THATCHER, 1835-38; J. R. WHEELOCK, 1838-39; Andrew ROYCE, 1841-56; E. I. CARPENTER, 1857-67; Leonard TENNEY, 1868-81; P. MCMILLAN, 1881. The erection of the first house of worship was begun in 1804 and was completed in 1808. It was situated on what is now the common in Gospel Village. This name was given to that section because the church was located there. Barre cemetery is the old church-yard enlarged, occupying a part of the farm of the first deacon, Ezekiel WOOD. The old house adjoining the cemetery in Gospel Village was long used as the parsonage. The first church building far exceeded the second, or "Old brick church," in capacity and finish. In 1840 the erection of the "Brick church" was begun on the present site, under the conviction that the mass of the town's business and population was destined to circle around it. The wisdom of the change is now apparent to all, though at the time "there was no small stir about that way." The work of enlarging and remodeling the brick church began in July, 1885, and was rededicated October 20, 1887. Nearly twelve thousand dollars were expended in the alterations. The church is now the chief architectural attraction of the village. While the church was without a pastor from 1799 to 1807, the membership increased from twelve to sixty-six. In 1826 the church was blessed with a great revival, and on the first Sunday in January, 1827, over seventy united with the church. In 1840 the church was again greatly increased by the addition of more than forty in one day, and since then the church has experienced seasons of great quickening when many were added to is membership.

      The church has felt the influence of the increasing population and has prepared itself to meet the growth of the community. Its membership is larger than in any period of its history, having received fifty-one to its communion in 1888. Its various departments of work, such as the Sunday-school, Ladies' Aid society, Ladies' Missionary society, and Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, are all flourishing and earnestly pushing their work, while the Sunday services keep pace with the increase of population.

      The Methodist Episcopal church of Barre.— [ This sketch was condensed from an interesting article published in The Itinerants at Chelsea, Vt., April 29, 1886.] At a conference held at Thompson, Conn., commencing September 20, 1796, Nicholas SNETHEN was appointed to Vershire circuit, and soon after took up his journey for Vermont. Joshua HALL had been previously appointed by the Connecticut conference, in 1794, but failed to respond. There is no certain record of the scene of the first sermon in Vermont preached by Nicholas SNETHEN, but we may reasonably suppose that it was in the house of John LANGDON, of Vershire, in answer to whose persistent calls for a minister Mr. SNETHEN was sent. Jesse LEE, who had been the first Methodist preacher in New England, was the presiding elder, and visited Vermont during the conference year, and there is reason to suppose that he came to Vermont soon after Mr. SNETHEN came to Vershire circuit. According to the memory of the early residents of Barre, Mr. LEE was one of the first Methodist preachers to appear in this town, and it is a well authenticated fact that he made an appointment to preach at the house of Col. John WALKER, in the south part of the town.

      At the conference of 1797 Ralph WILLISTON was appointed to Vershire circuit, and during the year organized the germ of the Methodist Episcopal church in Barre. The members were Nathan HOWARD, Mary HOWARD, Isaac S. THOMPSON, Catherine THOMPSON, Timothy PATTERSON, Elizabeth PATTERSON, Jotham CARPENTER, Reuben CARPENTER, Ruby COLTON, Samuel D. COOK, and Pony BOUTWELL. This was either the second or third Methodist class organized in Vermont, the Vershire class being the first and the class at Barnard the second, unless the class at Barre can claim precedence, which is doubtful. However this may be, the class at Barre is recorded as the first in organization between Vershire and Montreal.

      At the conference of 1798 Joseph CRAWFORD became the preacher on Vershire circuit; and as the town meeting of 1799 approached, he caused to be placed on record some evidence of the existence of the Methodist church in the town, as follows: 

"To all people to whom these presents shall come, greeting: --       Know ye that I, Joseph CRAWFORD, of the town of Barre, minister of the sect of Christians known by the name of Methodists, do hereby certify that Isaac S. THOMPSON, Jotham CARPENTER, Timothy PATTERSON, Samuel D. COOK, and Nathan HOWARD is of the same sect of the subscriber, and that I, the said Joseph CRAWFORD, am minister of the said sect in the town of Barre, in the county of Orange, in the state of Vermont. Attest, Joseph CRAWFORD, minister of the town of Barre.  Dated this 23d day of February, A. D. 1799. N. CARPENTER, Town Clerk."

      The land records give the date of the first lot of land purchased by the Methodist society, as March 30, 1801. The plot is now the park in Barre village, and the church was built upon the southwest corner, directly opposite the site of the Universalist church now standing. It was the first public building in Barre, and was the first church erected in the towns which now comprise Washington county, and probably the first public building, having been erected five years previous to the building of the first State House, and one year previous to the occupancy of the old Quaker meeting-house at North Montpelier for religious purposes. In 1804 the Vershire circuit was divided, and the Barre circuit was organized, including Barre, Plainfield, Middlesex, Northfield, Williamstown, Montpelier, Washington, Berlin, Orange, Brookfield, Moretown, Calais, and Waitsfield, and 257 names are recorded as in membership on the circuit, of which seventy-three were members at Barre, and is the largest number recorded in any one church in the circuit. The church building at Barre was not completed for some years after it was commenced. Barre enjoyed the proud distinction of having a preacher every Sunday some years before any other town upon the circuit attained to this high privilege. About 1819, through the instrumentality of Presiding Elder John LINDSLEY, the church was removed from its location on the common to a plot of land which adjoins the Congregational parsonage lot.

      In 1826 the Williamstown circuit was set off from the Barre circuit, and in 1828 the Montpelier circuit was also set off. The Barre society continued to occupy the old church until 1837, when plans were inaugurated to erect a new church. These plans resulted in the purchase of the lot on which the Methodist church now stands, the deed being made February 1, 1838. The new church was completed in the fall of 1838, and for thirty years served the society and congregation in substantially the same form as originally built, and in 1868 was moved a few feet to the rear, the vestry, in the form of an ell, having been removed, and the main building was then raised so as to arrange the present vestries under the audience room, the expense of the change being some $7,000. The church is now in a prosperous condition, under the efficient pastorate of Rev. Leonard L. BEEMAN.
 
 
 

Gazetteer Of Washington County, Vt. 1783-1899, 
Compiled and Published by Hamilton Child,
Edited By William Adams.
The Syracuse Journal Company, Printers and Binders.
Syracuse, N. Y.; April, 1889.
Pages 174 - 185

Transcribed by Karima Allison, 2003