Hezekiah Barnes

Major General Hezekiah Barnes (c. 1760–1813) was an American military officer of the United States Militia, tavern proprietor, and politician from Charlotte, Vermont. He was an early settler of Charlotte and became the city's Postmaster. He also served as an officer during the American War of Independence, alongside his father, Colonel Asa Barnes, and built the Stagecoach Tavern.

Early life

Hezekiah Barnes was born in about 1760 in Wallingford, Connecticut, the son of Colonel Asa Barnes and Lois Yale, daughter of Abel Yale, members of the Yale family. His father fought in the American Revolutionary War, being Colonel of a Berkshire County regiment. His mother was the great-granddaughter of Capt. Thomas Yale, co-founder of Wallingford, Connecticut.

Barnes served as an officer during the American War of Independence, and moved to Charlotte, Vermont, becoming an early settler of this territory, along with his father and other men. He was elected one of the surveyors of highways, with Capt. Hill as sealer of the weights and measures.

Biography Stagecoach Tavern, home of Maj. Gen. Barnes, now the Shelburne Museum

At the organization of the town of Charlotte, Vermont, his father was chosen as one of the selectmen. The meeting on 27 March would be held at Hezekiah Barnes's house, today named the Stagecoach Inn. The home was built in traditional Georgian style, with a ballroom and ten fireplaces.

He became wealthy with his tavern, as Charlotte became a fast-growing city with its lakefront location and fertile agricultural land. In 1810, Barnes was made Assistant Judge to Chief Judge Ezra Butler, future Governor of Vermont.

They will be involved in the War of 1812. Barnes was also Postmaster of Charlotte. He was representative of Chittenden County from 1798 to 1809. Barnes died during the epidemic of 1813, along with 70 inhabitants, including Rev. Abel Newell and Dr. James Towner. He died on March 20, 1813, in Charlotte, Vermont.