Part of the Underground Railroad had connections in Syracuse. One place in particular helped those efforts and it was the home of George and Rebecca Barnes. It's still around and Iris St. Meran takes us inside this hidden gem.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- In 1853, this was one of the first homes built on what is now James Street. It's tucked away, so you might miss it when driving by. Through the efforts of George and Rebecca Barnes, it played an important role in history.George Barnes came to Syracuse from England when he was 17-years-old in 1844 and quickly made a name for himself.
"He owned a newspaper, he owned a lumber yard, he ended up getting into the Sweet and Barnes plowing company. He was just an industrious person," said Arlene Stewart, George and Rebecca Barnes Foundation Founder and First President.
He also became supervisor of the New York Central Railroad. That is how he met his wife, Rebecca. Her uncle, John Wilkinson was in charge. They married in 1849. Four years later, they built their home. Stewart believes they became a part of the anti-slavery movement through their involvement in the Universalist Church.
"There were several occasions where downstairs in the parlor they would have pre-meetings for the abolitionist movement that was going on to have the freedom seekers, when they came to Syracuse to be able to move forward and either go to Canada or they could stay in Syracuse," said Stewart.
George would then announce the bigger meetings in his newspaper. He helped post bail for one fugitive slave in Syracuse: William "Jerry" Henry. His escape was known as the Jerry Rescue. It isn't verified but it is believed they housed fugitive slaves. The couple's generosity didn't end there. Rebecca who was orphaned would host parties at the house for orphaned children in the area.
"They always, always were looking out for their fellow man," said Stewart.
They had three children, but only one lived to adulthood, a daughter named Bessie. She inherited the house and married Frank Hiscock, a chief justice in the court of appeals. They had four children and expanded the home to what it looks like now. Hiscock became friends with President Taft when he was Chief Justice and he stayed in this room.
"There's documentation, that Judge Hiscock would get in his carriage and go to the train station and pick him up and bring him back here," said Hiscock.
After Hiscock's death, the home was on verge of being demolished. That was avoided by helping LeMoyne College while the campus was being built. "They had their first two years of classes right here in this house. We have pictures of them down in the basement and what not," said Stewart.
The home was on the chopping block again as demolition was happening in the area. The Syracuse Corinthian's club, a private women's club, saved the building in 1949. They sold it to the George and Rebecca Foundation, which runs it now. The home is still standing after more than 100 years. It's going to take community support to ensure that it's here for even more generations to come.
The George and Rebecca Barnes Foundation wants to restore and preserve the home as well as use it to educate the public about the history inside. They are looking for support through volunteering and donations.