Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/545

 NEW MEETING-HOUSE. 441 1800, by Nathaniel Phillips. The second class drawing was announced August 24, 1801. We have no records to show the amount realized from this lottery. In 1805 the Society proceeded to erect a new meeting- house, the funds for which were raised in part by this lottery and in part by subscriptions of the people. The location chosen was the site of the present house. After the stakes were driven for the corner of the house, the story goes that Captain Mauran who lived in the house, south of the site, removed the stakes several feet to the east that he might have a better view of the road and river to the north. He certainly did a favor to the Society in securing the present ample grounds in front of the house. The size of the house is known, as the present meeting-house is only a modified form of the old one. The old house had a square porch, which was surmounted by a small tower. There were two front doors to the porch, one on the west and the other on the south side. The interior arrangement of the pews and pulpit on the first floor was the same as in the first house, the number of the pews being increased. The galleries were supported by small fluted wooden posts as was the pulpit. A row of seats extended around the gallery, and back of these seats was a row of square pews, each of which would seat nine or ten persons. Two rows of seats on the west end of the gallery were occupied by the singers and players on instruments. This house was heated by two stoves that stood, one on the right and the other on the left of the entrance door. Stove pipes conducted the smoke and surplus heat across the house to a chimney on the east end. Foot stoves were however needed in the coldest weather and were used by many of the women of the con- gregation during the winter months. The great sounding board over the preacher's head was an object of interest to all youngsters, and curious speculations occupied young minds as to what would become of the minister should the apparently slight support chance to break. Fears were en- tertained especially, when some tall form gesticulated too