Edward S. Barrett, a prosperous farmer of West Concord, was born February 17, 1824, at Ashburnham, Mass., the son of Benjamin and Nancy (Stone) Barrett. The paternal grandfather, also named Benjamin, who was a native of Ashby, Mass., followed the occupation of farmer, spent the latter part of his life in New York State, and ended his days in Aurelius, N.Y.
Benjamin Barrett, who was also born in Ashby, after having learned shoemaking, worked at that trade for a number of years. He then followed farming in Ashburnham for a time. Subsequently he removed to Fitchburg, Mass., and later to Newport, N.H., where he ended his days at the age of fifty-one years. He and his wife reared the following children: Oliver S., born December 19, 1809, who died March 18, 1810; Nancy S. born December 14, 1810, who died September 17, 1828; Joseph, born January 13, 1813, who died June 17, 1897; Mary, born August 24, 1815, who died November 8, 1816; Lucy, born June 28, 1819, who married Martin Johnson, now of Lunenburg, Mass.; Ephraim, August 24, 1821, who died November 20, 1821; Benjamin, born October 24, 1822, who died April 24, 1823; Edward S., born February 17, 1824; Julia M., born March 18, 1826, who died February 3, 1889; Caroline, born February 15, 1828, who married Francis A. White, and now lives in Brookline, Mass.
Edward S. Barrett was educated at the district schools of Fitchburg, Mass., and Newport, N.H. He began to earn his living in a grist-mill at Newport, where he worked for six years. He then removed to Lempster, N.H., and during the most of his stay in that town was employed in farm work. In 1873 he removed to West Concord, and there purchased a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres, known as the old Washington Dow place, which has been his residence since. June 13, 1860, he married Mary Bingham, of Lempster, N.H., a daughter of Walter Bingham. They have no children. At one period in his life Mr. Barrett went West as far as the State of Iowa with the intention of settling out there; but, as the climate did not agree with his health, he returned to New Hampshire.
In politics he is both a Republican and a Prohibitionist. He cast his first Presidential ballot for General Zachary Taylor in 1848. In religion he is a member of the Congregational Church of West Concord, and has been one of the Deacons of that society for fifteen years. He is also a member of the Mount Vernon Lodge of Free Masons in Newport. Mr. Barrett is highly regarded by the community.