Barker Park

Cellar Inscription:

Newton,

XXX
In Rome When the white rabbit hangs high, the Praetor leads the vestel band by linden fields, that he may hear the tuning of the great profaner's voice ere the game goes to Quintus Anno Mundo. "When the stars are out."

Yours, TJ.

BARKER, NY., (TOWN OF SOMERSET) IN HONOR OF DAVID BARKER: Town Park, Quaker Road

Quaker David Barker, after whom the town of Barker is named, believed in preserving the humanity of all people, and frequently practiced his belief. Very active in the community, Barker held several public several offices, including town supervisor for four terms. He and his wife resided in a large clay brick house (which still stands) on Quaker Road. They had no children of their own, but were foster parents to eight orphaned children.

Enslaved African-Americans were known to have journeyed from the Rome, Watertown, and Ogdensburg Railroads to the Barkers who supplied them with food and shelter. He made frequent trips to Niagara Falls to grind his grain into flour. Unbeknownst to the law enforcers at the time, he was also transporting his secret guests to their freedom.

The house was built in 1834 by Barker entirely from bricks he made from clay in his back yard. The current and previous owners have documented a portion of the south side of the basement that seems irregular in appearance. It seems that there is a cluster of stones within the wall that are of younger origin that the surrounding ones and the mortar is somewhat different. They believe that there may be a hidden cellar underground behind these "new" stones based on their inability to grow any vegetation on the south side of the home. This could be because the open space isn't allowing the plants to take root in soil. There are also several other areas of the house which cause speculation of its usage. The Stations sculpture was placed in the town park, a central location easily visible as you drive through Barker.