One of the fastest-growing communities in the Strafford planning region, Barrington is located within four different sub-watersheds including the Lamprey River, Oyster River, Bellamy River, and the Cocheco River. The Abenaki land that became Barrington and Strafford was organized in the early 18th century and was named after the English Governor of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, Samuel Shute of Barrington Hall. The town was once the third most populous in the state and was one of the first to promote new industries wherein Governor Shute set aside land along the Lamprey River to secure and smelt iron ore. Barrington’s population grew exponentially in the latter half of the 20th century and has remained a predominantly residential community ever since.