Haines House, Alliance, OH

The Haines House located at 186 W. Market, PO Box 2738, Alliance, OH 44601 was an active Underground Railroad stop in Alliance Ohio starting in 1853.[1] The residents at that time, Johnathan and Sarah Haines (pictured below), were Quakers who were in full support of the abolitionist movement.[2] The Haines family started living at the Haines Home in 1852, when Johnathan bought the home from his father-in-law.[3] The Haines Home has played an important role in the Alliance community and throughout the Civil War. During the Civil War, the Haines family played an important role in the abolitionist movement in the community, hosting abolitionist events, and many other community events. According to the Haines House website, “On August 13, 1859, a young people’s meeting was held at the Haines Grove that was chaired by prominent African American businessman William J. Whipper.”[4] In addition to events, the family helped hide many runaway slaves that were on their way to Randolph or Limaville. The slaves were hidden in the Haines’ attic, a small space that was hidden above the kitchen (picture below). It was often said about Johnathan Haines that he, “stood guard gun in hand, taking care of the poor slaves he was harboring in the little attic room over his kitchen.”[5] Johnathan also was able to enlist the help of one son that was not fighting in the Civil War, John C. At age twelve, John C. or ‘Tump’ as his family called him, helped his father transport the slaves to safety at night. The Haines House was an important part of the community as it brought people of the community together and it welcomed runaway slaves and offered them protection.

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Madison Swartzentruber