Susan Hammond Barney


Susan Hammond Barney, known as "The Prisoner's Friend", was an American evangelist.
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. 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.
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."

Early years

Susan Hunt Hammond was born November 24, 1834 in Pawtucket, Massachusetts, the daughter of Dr. John Allen and Elisa Hammond. Her father, Dr. Hammond, was a prominent physician. She was a contributor to the local press at the age of thirteen.

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. 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. She contributed a chapter on the "Care of the Criminal" to Woman's Work in America.

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. They had two children: Walter Hammond and Charles Alfred. Barney died April 29, 1922 at Providence.

Attribution

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