Father

Refer to Adoniram Penn.

Minister Hersey

Minister Hersey pays a visit to Sarah Penn after she relocates her family to the new barn. The story provides limited insight into his actual words, but portrays him as a man lacking imagination and effectiveness, unsure of how to engage with this resolute woman.

Mother

Refer to Sarah Penn.

Adoniram Penn

In the beginning, Adoniram Penn is depicted as a reserved man accustomed to having things his way. He anticipates that his wife and family will go along with his choices. When his wife finally voices her concerns about the family's need for a new home, Adoniram remains quiet, choosing instead to discuss his work plans for the day. Ultimately, it becomes clear that Adoniram is not just uncommunicative but also unable to grasp his wife's needs. Once he comprehends Sarah's determination to secure a new house, he consents to modify the new barn with windows and walls to create a more spacious living environment for the family.

Nanny Penn

Nanny Penn, the daughter of Adoniram and Sarah, is engaged to be married. She is described as "large" and "soft," lacking strength, which worries her mother about her future ability to manage her own home. Although generally gentle and slow to act, Nanny shows a rare moment of impatience when she complains to her mother about her father's decision to build a new barn while the family lacks a proper house. She humorously suggests having her wedding in the new barn, which seemingly inspires her mother to move the family into that space.

Sammy Penn

Sammy, the son of Adoniram and Sarah, shares his father's tendency to be inarticulate. He assists his father on the farm while attending school. Sammy is aware of the new barn months before Sarah discovers it and informs her about Adoniram's plan to purchase more cows.

Sarah Penn

Sarah Penn is a determined, patient, and diligent woman. She has been married to Adoniram Penn for forty years and has four children, two of whom are still living at home. At the beginning of their marriage, her husband pointed out a spot on their property where he vowed to build her a new house. However, at the start of the story, Sarah discovers that workers are breaking ground there for a new barn instead. She passionately confronts her husband about the forty years she has lived and toiled without complaint in their small, inadequate home while he expanded the farm's outbuildings, but he remains unresponsive. Despite not allowing their engaged daughter Nanny to voice complaints about their "box of a house," she advocates for Nanny, telling Adoniram that their daughter deserves a beautiful setting for her courtship and marriage. Sarah stays calm and even-tempered after her husband declines to talk about constructing a new house instead of a barn. When Adoniram is called away on business just as the barn is finished and before any feed or livestock arrive, she interprets it as a "providential" sign. She then moves all of their household belongings into the splendid new structure, noting that it would only require a few windows and internal walls to make it perfect.