The Women of Tyler Arboretum: Sarah Painter Barnard (1804-1849)

Many of us are familiar with Thomas Minshall, who purchased quite a bit of Tyler Arboretum’s land from William Penn in 1681. We may know the Painter brothers planted more than 1,000 trees and shrubs, most in the area we now call the “Old Arb.”

We probably know less about the women of Tyler. During Women’s History Month in March 2025, we began sharing the stories of the women who made an impact on Tyler and the surrounding community. So far we’ve featured Laura Hoopes Tyler, Ann Heacock Minshall and Gertrude McMasters Smith Wister, and will continue with periodic additions over the next year or so. We hope you enjoy reading about the challenges and contributions made by some of the women of Tyler Arboretum! Next up, Sarah Painter Barnard!

Sister to Minshall and Jacob Painter

Sarah Painter was born in 1804, the third child of Hannah and Enos Painter. She and her six siblings grew up in Lachford Hall on land we know as Tyler Arboretum along with her two brothers, Minshall and Jacob Painter. Sarah was part of the sixth generation descending from Thomas and Margaret Minshall.

Sarah’s mother Hannah was an only child and married Enos Painter in 1800. Enos soon began to manage the farm operations in Middletown. In an effort to diversify, he built a sawmill on Dismal Run in 1814. He made great improvements to the tenant farms and moved from growing grain to cattle production, leading to the 1833 construction of the large three-story stone bank barn. Key to Sarah’s story is a 124-acre farm and dwelling in Chester County that Enos purchased in 1826 and renovated in 1829.

Sarah married Eusebius Barnard on April 9, 1829, in a Quaker ceremony at Providence Friends Meeting House in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Soon thereafter, Enos Painter gave Sarah and Eusebius Barnard the use of the Chester County dwelling house and property, although Enos did not relinquish ownership. Eusebius was the son of Richard and Sarah Chambers Barnard of Marlborough village in Chester County. He attended the Friends School in nearby Westtown, PA. Between 1830 and 1844, Sarah and Eusebius had eight children, five of whom lived to adulthood.

Sarah Painter Barnard (Photo Courtesy of BarnardStation.org)

Life on the Underground Railroad

The house was enlarged with a northern addition of 2½ stories in 1841 doubling the size of the home. Today, this family home is known as Barnard Station and is listed on The National Park Services National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.

The Barnard Station website documents the life of Sarah and her family. An excerpt follows:

“The Barnards opened their home as a station on the Underground Railroad, often accepting freedom seekers traveling north from Wilmington, DE into Chester County. When freedom seekers arrived at the Barnard house they were given food, clothing and rest before moving on to the next safe house, often at 2 o’clock in the morning. Women and children may have slept on mattresses on the warm kitchen floor and men in the barn.

The Barnard children often helped. They also did their share of transporting freedom seekers if Eusebius was traveling for religious visits. One of the youngest conductors on the Under Ground Railroad was their youngest son Enos, who when just old enough to ride a horse led a group of 17 men on foot to his Uncle William Barnard’s house nearby Marlborough village. At times, if the coast was clear, the freedom seekers were hired for work on the farm. Pocopson had a large free African American community which likely helped in concealing the freedom seekers. However, even free African Americans weren’t always safe from possible kidnapping by slave hunters.”

1829 Certificate for Sarah Painter to move from Chester Monthly Meeting to Kennet Monthly Meeting.

Barnard Station (Photo courtesy of BarnardStation.org)

Sarah and Eusebius Barnard (Photo courtesy of BarnardStation.org)

Remembered for Upholding Quaker Values

Sadly, Sarah Painter Barnard died in 1849 at the young age of 45 leaving four children still at home, the youngest just five years old. Enos Painter still held the deed to the property until he died in 1857. In his will, he left the Chester County farm to Sarah’s two sons, Eusebius Jr. and Enos Barnard upon their reaching adulthood.

In 2011, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission placed an historic marker in front of Barnard Station. It is inscribed as follows:

“Eusebius Barnard: Born a Quaker, Barnard became a member of the Progressive Friends movement and upheld its active affirmation of the ideals of temperance, equality of women, and abolition of slavery. His farm became a station on the Underground Railroad. He and his family, at great risk to their own lives, provided shelter to freedom seekers and then escorted them to their next safe haven. He was a founding member of the Longwood Progressive Meeting.”

If you are interested in learning more, I encourage you to visit nearby Barnard Station. It is typically open for public tours once a month from May through October. Further details can be found on their website.

Barnard grave plaque (Courtesy of Find a Grave)

Sources:

  • Find a Grave

  • Locust Grove Schoolhouse
  • Barnard Station
  • NPS Network to Freedom

Become a Tyler History Volunteer!

If you are interested in joining our volunteer team to help uncover and preserve the history of Tyler Arboretum, please fill out our Individual Volunteer Application form and our volunteer coordinator will reach out to you! We’d love your help!

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