Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Tidbit Tuesday: Secret Codes in Quilts?



Howdy Friends! Amber Schamel here with our Tuesday History Tidbit. :)

Did you know that quilts may have been used as a secret code system?

The Underground Railroad was an amazing system. They used all sorts of methods to relay information, send signals, hide the 'passengers', and get them to freedom. Recently, a new method has come to light. 

In 1999, two historians published a book based on the testimony of an Underground Railroad 'passenger' descendant, Ozella McDaniel Williams. The book Hidden in Plain Sight explains how quilt patterns were used as a code to give signals, instructions and guidance to runaway slaves. 



The Drunkerd's Path Block was said to have been a warning to the slaves that there was a posse on their trail and they should leave a 'drunkard's path' to evade their pursuers. 

The Flying Geese block would point out which direction was North (for people like me who can't tell which star is the North Star.) or in the direction that the 'passenger' needed to go to find their next stop. 

The Wagon Wheel pattern was an indication that there would be a wagon leaving soon that would take with it a few slaves that were ready to go. 

There have been disputes over the years as to whether or not this legend of Freedom Quilts is actually true.  Some contend that if it were really true there would have been more evidence, either written or oral and perhaps an original quilt. Others refute that by saying that the Underground Railroad was a very tightlipped system and therefore has limited evidence. 


What do you think? Are Freedom Quilts a fact or merely a legend? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

23 comments:

  1. What an interesting story! Using quilts would certainly have been a great way to relay information! I think there is probably some truth to the Freedom Quilts.

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  2. Wow I love to hear stories about these kind of things! It would make lots of sense to use that system.

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  3. That is amazing. I also think it is quite believable. During the Great Depression the hobos used to draw signs on the fence post to indicate something about the person who lived there. If there was a cat, it meant that a kind woman lived there. If there was a fish bone, it meant that they threw out a lot of trash. Very interesting! Thank you for the glimpse of history!

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    1. That's very interesting, Sharron. I agree that the system would have made a lot of sense. I also heard that they would hang a quilt with the north star in a window or in their yard to symbolize that they were a safehouse for slaves escaping to freedom. Something like that would have to be kept VERY secret, so the lack of evidence makes sense to me. :)

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  4. Very interesting data. God gave them good ideas to those who wanted to help the slaves. :)
    I want to read a little more of this. Thanks for the story!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Rebekah! :)If you want more information on it, you can check out the book Hidden in Plain Sight. :)

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  5. This is one of those "I hope it's true" kind of things for me. I love that it could be true. I've heard arguments for and against it, but I like to go with my gut on these things and the gut says . . . probably some truth in it. :-)

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    1. We live just four miles west of town - Schoolcraft, MI and the Underground Railroad had a very significant part of our town's history.
      In fact U.S. 131 that runs the entire North/South length of the lower peninsula of MI has been named UNDERGROUND RAILWAY MEMORIAL HIGHWAY - South of Schoolcraft.
      One of the doctors - very prominent man in our town - used his house - mansion - as one of the safe places and he had others who worked with him that also used their homes for the slaves.
      those homes have tunnels and safe rooms of historical significance to this day.
      I've been researching some of these places over the last year for a Historical Romance I'm working on.
      Thanks for sharing about the FREEDOM QUILTS, Amber.

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    2. I agree with you Jennifer. I think there's probably some truth to it, but it's been confused/exaggerated through the years. I think it could make for a great story though.

      Very interesting Joy! Thanks for sharing!

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  6. Oakland City University has a building that was once part of the underground railroad. At the Civil War Days, held in Princeton, IN, each year in September, a woman presents the quilt story as factual. So, I've always accepted the quilt code as true. The quilts were hung on the fences and clothes lines. Lyles' Station, near Princeton, was a black settlement that encouraged education, and they have re-done their school as a visitor's center.

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    1. That's very interesting, Zanne. I had the code presented to me in High School, so I just assumed it was true too, until I started researching for this post! Haha, go figure.

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  7. Seems like I've read about quilt squares painted on the sides of barns to commemorate that code. I've seen a few, and they're beautiful. We may never know how true the story is, but I choose to believe it. Just because...

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  8. Very interesting information! I love seeing this...so cool. :)

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  9. Interesting, Amber. So much went on during the war that we model some of our espionage after even now. Sad that war brought it out. I was amazed at how they transferred things in button and with slips of paper, so I can believe the quilts were used as well

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  11. I have heard something like that before and that does make sense. One would think that there would have to be some mode of communication to protect both the slaves and those helping them. Always nice to read historical facts. Great post.

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  12. With all due respect, here is another view. http://freedomcenter.org/underground-railroad/history/myths
    http://www.ugrrquilt.hartcottagequilts.com/

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    1. Thanks for sharing this, Stephanie. I'm sure you do lots of research yourself. :)

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  13. I think it is very interesting! My daughter loves anything about the underground railroad! a_stonecipher@yahoo.com

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