 In the 1850s, the Seward family opened their Auburn home as a safehouse to fugitive slaves on the Underground Railroad.Seward's frequent travel and political work suggest that it was Frances who played the more active role in Auburn abolitionist activities.In the excitement following the rescue and safe transport of fugitive slave William "Jerry" Henry in Syracuse on October 1, 1851, Frances wrote to her husband, "two fugitives have gone to Canada—one of them our acquaintance John."