A building near SoHo, now home to the Ear Inn, a longstanding neighborhood bar, carries a complex and partly contested history linked to the American Revolutionary era. The two-and-a-half-story structure is said to have once belonged to James Brown, an enslaved man who was freed and is believed by some to have assisted George Washington during the Revolutionary War.

Brown's story has become entwined with local lore and historical interpretation. Notably, some assert that Brown is the Black figure depicted in Emanuel Leutze’s 1851 painting “Washington Crossing the Delaware.” However, historical evidence supporting this claim is limited, and experts emphasize that the painting serves more as an artistic representation symbolizing freedom rather than a literal historical account.

The building’s origins are also the subject of debate. While the bar’s website and some sources date the construction to around 1770, preservationists have suggested it was built in the early 19th century. The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission’s report states the house was constructed in 1817. Rip Hayman, current owner of the property, contends the house itself predates that date, saying 1817 marks when it was first recorded in city documents. During renovation efforts around 1999, Hayman collaborated with architectural historians who discovered timber that appeared to have been salvaged from the Great Fire of 1776, lending some weight to claims of an earlier origin.

Historians caution that the stories of Black Americans, women, and other marginalized groups during the Revolutionary period are frequently underrepresented in official records. “The American Revolution was not just a fight between white men versus white men,” said local historian Dandia. He pointed out that people of color and women were involved on all sides of the conflict, underscoring the diverse and multifaceted nature of this historical moment.

While many details about James Brown and the building’s exact history remain uncertain, the structure and its associated narratives highlight the complexities of preserving and interpreting early American history, especially regarding contributions from often overlooked individuals.