Susan Hammond Barney

Susan Hammond Barney (November 24, 1834 – April 29, 1922), known as "The Prisoner's Friend", was an American evangelist.

Susan Hammond Barney
a "Woman of the Century"
Personal
Born
Susan Hunt Hammond

November 24, 1834 – April 29, 1922
Pawtucket, Rhode Island, U.S.
DiedApril 29, 1922(1922-04-29) (aged 87)
Providence, Rhode Island
ReligionChristianity
NationalityU.S.
Spouse
Joseph K. Barney
​
(m. 1854)​
Children2
DenominationMethodist Episcopal Church
Professionevangelist, writer
Military service
RankWCTU's National Superintendent of Prison, Jail, Police, and Almshouse Visitation
OrderWoman's Foreign Missionary Society
Senior posting
Professionevangelist, writer

She was the founder of the Prisoners' Aid Society of Rhode Island, did much work with the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, and was the first president of the Rhode Island Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). She was also largely instrumental in making prohibition a constitutional enactment in Rhode Island in 1886. Due to her efforts, police matrons were secured for the station houses of large cities.[1]

Barney is best remembered as the WCTU's National Superintendent of Prison, Jail, Police, and Almshouse Visitation. Her wide sympathies and ministries earned her the title of "The Prisoner's Friend."[2]

Early years

Susan Hunt Hammond was born November 24, 1834 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, the daughter of Dr. John Allen and Elisa (Brown) Hammond.[3] Her father, Dr. Hammond, was a prominent physician. She was a contributor to the local press at the age of thirteen.[4][2]

Career

It was her desire to become a foreign missionary, but, owing to ill-health and the strong opposition of friends, she reluctantly did not pursue this career. Her first public speaking was done in the interest of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was one of the founders of the Prisoners' Aid Society of Rhode Island, and was always interested in prison and jail work. She was the first president of the Rhode Island WCTU, a position she held for several years. She went on to become a national evangelist. The enactment of constitutional prohibition in Rhode Island in 1886 was largely due to her executive ability.[1] She had much to do with securing police matrons for the station-houses of large cities, and was an able platform speaker. Barney's sermons received high commendation by pastors, and her services were sought by nearly all denominations.[2] She contributed a chapter on the "Care of the Criminal" to Woman's Work in America (New York City, 1891).[4]

Personal life

She married Joseph K. Barney, of Providence, Rhode Island, in 1854, and thereafter resided in that city, with the exception of several years spent on the Pacific Coast.[4] They had two children: Walter Hammond (born 1855) and Charles Alfred (born 1858).[5] Barney died April 29, 1922 at Providence.[3]

References
  1. Logan 1912, p. 669-70.
  2. Willard 1888, p. 854-.
  3. Preston 1990, p. 452.
  4. Willard & Livermore 1893, p. 56.
  5. J.H. Beers & Company 1908, p. 503.

Attribution
  • This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: J.H. Beers & Company (1908). Representative Men and Old Families of Rhode Island: Genealogical Records and Historical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and of Many of the Old Families ... (Public domain ed.). J.H. Beers & Company.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Logan, Mrs. John A. (1912). The Part Taken by Women in American History (Public domain ed.). Perry-Nalle publishing Company. p. 669.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Willard, Frances Elizabeth (1888). Woman and Temperance: Or, The Work and Workers of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (Public domain ed.). Park Publishing Company.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Willard, Frances Elizabeth; Livermore, Mary Ashton Rice (1893). A Woman of the Century: Fourteen Hundred-seventy Biographical Sketches Accompanied by Portraits of Leading American Women in All Walks of Life (Public domain ed.). Moulton. p. 56.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)

Bibliography
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