A number of Hudson Ohio's historic plaques reference John Brown.  The famous abolitionist came to Hudson with his family as a five-year old in 1805.  

John's father Owen, often referred to as Squire Brown, played a major role in the creation of our fledgling town.  He assisted David Hudson in the formation of Western Reserve College and served on its board of trustees.  Owen Brown first lived near the center of town, and operated his first tannery on Brandywine Creek near what is now Owen Brown Street.  The Hines Hill location known as Old Tannery Farm, and recognized as John Brown's home, began as a work site in 1818 when  John and a friend set up a tannery for themselves and ran what was described as a "Bachelor's Hall" with the Widow Lusk as a housekeeper.  Her daughter, Dianthe, married John Brown in 1820, and they started a family, necessitating larger quarters, and the house was built. The John Brown family lived at the site until the spring of 1826 when they moved to Pennsylvania.

The tannery property was one of several locations in Hudson that were used to help runaway slaves.  John Brown's eldest son described hiding runaways where "the creek meets the marsh," which would be approximately the intersection of Darrow (SR 91) and Hines Hill Roads.  Other older writings confirm talk of a slave camp being located there.

In 1925 there was a movement to have Old Tannery Farm purchased and turned into a national memorial.  The memorial never materialized, however, and the house remains a private home.

The Brown family reunion was invited back on occasion by different owners. Long-time Hudson resident Margaret Clark Morgan (Peg, deceased) visited the house several times.  She is a descendant of Jeremiah Brown, son of Oliver and grandson of Owen Brown.  She remembered reunions on the property when she was a girl, according to the current owner.  In 1930 Dr. Clarence Gee was the guest speaker at a reunion.  His extensive john Brown Collection has been at the Hudson Library & Historical Society since 1970-1974.  He was the Pastor of the First Congregational Church of Hudson (1921-1926) when he decided to pursue the John Brown story as a library trustee.

Remodeling over the years has changed the house.  A substantial update in the 1950's is described in the Hudson Library and Historical Society archives.