if your barn is anything like what is pictured in the links... do not be deterred. this is stronger than anything you could buy.

that beam is strong enough to swing a carriage. look at it.

by the way as you go beyond 1 foot the stress increases dramatically!

decreasing the spacing between bents might be a good idea, maybe not. chances are this was over "designed" based on good carpenter intuition. don't be deterred the live load of a couch, chair, dresser and a couple of people ain't that much.

Nothing can be said until the frame is disclosed....