Quilt codes

[DonSmithnotTMD]

I could have sworn this was discussed awhile back, but nothing comes up in search.

Someone at UMUC is doing a paper about coded messages in quilts used on the underground railroad (as mentioned in Hidden in Plain View: a secret story of quilts and the underground railroad. By Jacqueline Tobin and Raymond Dobard) and is looking for more resources.

It seems like the consensus here was that it's a lot of hooey, but maybe I'm remembering that wrong too.

[KarinTimour]

Re: Quilt codes

Dear Don:

I also remember it being discussed here. I've read the book you're talking about and I remember being struck with the idea that the one source quoted throughout the book wasn't really backed up with any other research.

Several readers have also questioned how such a code could be established that would be uniform across large parts of the country -- X number of knots in a knotted quilt meant "go 10 miles east to the next safe house, etc."

Karin Timour
Period Knitting: Socks, Camp Hats, Balaclavas
Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society
Email: Ktimour@aol.com

[DonSmithnotTMD]

Re: Quilt codes

Karin,
I think I need some resources I can't get where I am. I don't want someone to be lead astray by PC nonsense, but there's not much I can do.

[Hank Trent]

Re: Quilt codes

Here's the main man for debunking "Hidden in Plain View," Giles Wright:

http://historiccamdencounty.com/ccnews11_doc_01a.shtml

This is a series of posts from a quilting list, as they struggle against the proliferation of the myth:

http://www.quilthistory.com/2002/307.htm

A google for Wright's name in connection with "Hidden in Plain View" will bring up other discussions about the issue.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

[DonSmithnotTMD]

Re: Quilt codes

MR Trent,
Thank you. I'm sorry I didn't think of Google. i was so alarmed that someone would use this in a class paper, I immediately turned here.

[celtfiddler]

Re: Quilt codes

Thanks for posting the links Hank.

Common sense would make you question how slaves would have been taught such an elaborate quilt code system as some would like you like you to believe. Unfortunately, the Armed Forces television network continues to perpetuate this myth with a public service announcement they like to air--I cringe everytime I see it.

[celtfiddler]

Re: Quilt codes

Link to an article written by Barbara Brackman

http://www.culver.org/news/quilts.asp

Second article regarding the subject

http://www.antiquequiltdating.com/ugrr.html

[Yulie]

Re: Quilt codes

Don,

The articles already cited by folks are good sources for challenging the premise of Hidden in Plain View. The authors' promotion of sympbols in quilts representing actual routes is now included among the long list of myths surrounding nineteenth century African American history and culture. Giles Wright mentions William’s Still’s The Underground Railroad (1872). Please note that this is an authoritative source regarding the Underground Railroad as it captures the voices of participants and passengers during their lifetime – as opposed to the WPA oral histories. No one mentions in Still’s book the use of specific codes in quilts to direct routes. I encourage whom ever is approaching the study of URR route codes in quilts to consult the following articles and books as none mention the existence of such a thing.

Still, William, The Underground Railroad, Philadelphia: Porter & Coates, 1872.

Botkin, Benjamin Albert., ed., Lay My Burden Down: A Folk History of Slavery, Athens, Ga.: University of Georgia Press, 1989; orig. publ. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1945.

Drew, Benjamin, The Refugee: A North-side View of Slavery, aka The Refugee: Or the Narratives of Fugitive Slaves in Canada Related by Themselves, New York: Negro Universities Press, 1968; orig. publ. Boston: J. P. Jewett, 1856.

Fry, Gladys-Marie, "Harriet Powers: Portrait of a Black Quilter,” in Missing Pieces: Georgia Folk Art, 1770-1976 (Atlanta, 1976).

Fry, Gladys-Marie, Stitched from the Soul: Slave Quilts from the Ante-bellum South, New York: Dutton Studio Books, 1990.

Haviland, Laura Smith, Women's Life-Work, Including Thirty Years' Service on the Underground Railroad and in the War, Chicago; S. B. Shaw, 1902; orig. publ. A Woman's Life-Work: Labors and Experiences, Cincinnati: Walden & Stow, 1881.

Lumpkin Du Pre, Katharine, “The General Plan was Freedom”: A Negro Secret Order on the Underground Railroad, Atlanta: Atlanta University, 1967.

There are other sources (primary and secondary), but the above will help shed light on the topic. In fairness, I have to say that the above are all anti-Tobin/Dobard. I have waited five years for any sources (other than the ONE used by the authors) to promote their premise. I will continue to wait....

Hope this is helpful.

[DonSmithnotTMD]

Re: Quilt codes

Thanks all -- I'll pass it on. Sure be a shocking end to one's thesis research if you find out your subject is bs after it's finished.

[Vuhginyuh]

Re: Quilt codes

Hidden in Plain View was a required ''text'' in a class I had. The professor and I had such a disagreement over it as a text that I dropped the class. I was approached by the student paper to comment on my lack of support for the framework of the book.

Since I did a little work sketching a few things for the fish-wrapper I responded with the following cartoon of two young men in the midst of thier journey on the Rail Road.

As a result of this reply I was censured and released from the paper for “espousing a racist doctrine” in my cartoon.

I hope you just smile.

[DonSmithnotTMD]

Re: Quilt codes

That's a great cartoon. Half afraid to ask where you went to school.

[celtfiddler]

Re: Quilt codes

Yulanda,

Thanks for posting the list of books. My only familiarity with the subject is from the quilt history perspective. I openly admit I haven't researched the subject from the Underground Railroad history perspective. I'd love to get my hands on a copy of Still's book to read, but I doubt our base library can get their hands on it (may have to head to the Newberry Library and see if they have a copy if I visit my family this fall).

[Yulie]

Re: Quilt codes

I'd love to get my hands on a copy of Still's book to read, but I doubt our base library can get their hands on it

Kimberly,

William Still's book was republished several times by various publishers so you should be able to get your hands on a copy. I cited the original date to emphasize the first hand account(s) and personal experience(s) nature of the contents. The copy I have is an "exact" reproduction published by Johnson & Johson in the 1970s. It is a must read as it not only covers Underground Railroad aka fugitive activity, but also abolitionist activities in the U.S. and Canada -- which makes sense as both movements are partners.

-Yulanda