Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/629

 MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION. 513 by some malicious persons, and afterwards removed, and tiie leather top of a chaise of the acting minister of the church, Rev. Mr. Pease, was cut into shoe strings, in the barn of one of the deacons of the Church. The bad passions of the people were aroused and enmities were established, the effects of which were manifest for years after. These unhappy divisions in the church and society extended to and affected the citizens generally and the town was divided into hostile cliques. The Dorr War, with the events which led up to it, also created sharp divisions and intense political hatred between neighbors and even the members of the same family. Those of the minority party were ostracised and some even were obliged to secrete themselves in their own houses, or leave the town, in their fear of personal danger. A more unhappy state of affairs can scarcely be imagined, than existed in Harrington from 1830 to 1S50, and yet there were conserva- tive elements which sought only the peace and unity of church and people. While bitter feelings prevailed among the older people and while the sympathies of the younger generation sided more or less with their elders, there were evidences of a bitter spirit arising, which might in time assert itself. An evidence of this hopeful state of affairs may be found in the formation of a society of the young people of the town, in 1836, which had for its purpose, the personal improvement of its members along educational and social lines, and the harmonizing of difficulties between the several sections of the town. This society was styled " The Barrington Mutual Improve- ment Association," composed of young people, many of whom have since been prominent in town, church, and state affairs. Among the members we find the names of Lewis B. Smith, Edwin Martin, Eliza C. Smith, Judith R. (Bowen) Smith, Louisa M. Bowen, Nathaniel C. Smith, George W. Wightman, Nathan Williams, Leonard S. Bosworth, George A. Gladding, Thomas C. Heath, Anna D. Martin, Lydia B. Smith, Martha Smith, Elizabeth J. Smith, John