Patches of Grace

Following the Patches of Grace

Legend has it that abolitionists used quilt patterns to guide runaway slaves along the path of the Underground Railroad. In a quiet rural town in Upstate NY, quilters put together a sampler using these patterns to commemorate this trail to freedom for pre-Civil War slaves.

According to Edwards Town Historian, LaVerne Freeman, most of the runaway slaves were unable to read, but they could memorize the patterns and coded meaning of the quilt blocks. These secret meanings were passed along to their fellow slaves through songs, needlework and story-telling.

People in the surrounding neighborhoods thought the diligent housewives were hanging their bedding out to air on wash lines or from their bedroom windows. But the dauntless abolitionists were really sending directions about safe houses, clothing and provisions to those on their freedom journey.

The sampler quilt created by these Edwards quilters contained a series of 15 blocks arranged in rows of three, each one representing a different coded message. Some of the patterns are familiar to most quilters, while others are unique to the history of the Underground Railroad.

Quilt patterns like Jacob’s Ladder and the Bear Paw provided directional arrows for the slaves by hanging them at different angles on the wash line. Similarly, the Crossroads pattern directed runaways to a main “terminal” location such as Cleveland where there were several routes across Lake Erie into Canada. Flying Geese and the Birds in the Air patterns reminded to the slaves to watch the migrating geese or other birds so they would be able to find their way north. The Drunkard’s Path instructed the fleeing slaves to vary their path to confuse the slave hunters.

Several patterns instructed the slaves to look for certain people who could help them. The Monkey Wrench stood for the blacksmith on the plantation. He could pass freely among the slaves sharing information about the Underground Railroad without arousing suspicion. This pattern also meant the slaves were to pack and be ready to leave on their journey at a moment’s notice because an Underground Railroad “agent” was nearby. Likewise, The Shoo-Fly pattern represented an actual person who would help the slaves in their flight.

When The Wagon Wheel pattern was displayed, it directed freedom seekers to pack wagons for a journey. Many had false bottoms where a slave could hide undetected, though cramped. There was not much room left for provisions. A similar pattern, the Carpenter’s Wheel was used in conjunction with the spiritual, “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” to direct the escapees in a north or northwest direction toward Ohio and New York.

The Basket pattern symbolized that provisions were available nearby for those on their freedom journey. A Log Cabin pattern done in shades of red with a dark center square indicated a safe house while a yellow center told the slave to watch for a lantern to guide them. The Bow-Tie pattern indicated someone would meet the slave and give them a fresh change of clothes so they cold walk through a free area and not attract attention by their slave garb or tattered clothing.

Once they reached the Great Lakes, a Sailboat or North Star pattern generally advertised the availability of passage across to Canada.

Like the slaves followed the quilted messages to freedom, our Heavenly Father has provided messages of grace for us that will lead us toward spiritual freedom. He gives us His Word, wonderful hymns and choruses as well as the examples of the lives of others around us to guide us to the safety of His loving embrace.

As we become adept at following Him, He calls us to be like the radical abolitionists who were willing to risk their lives to show other captives the way to true freedom. What will you risk to win others to Christ in these last perilous days?

Jude 1:23 a NLT “Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment...”

*Note: Underground Railroad scholars are divided about the truth of the use of quilts since they aren’t actually mentioned in chronicles about the Underground Railroad or in testimonies of former slaves. However, they do agree it makes a compelling story.

The quilt created by the Edwards Historical Society may be seen at http://www.edwardshistorycenter.org/tales/undergroundrr/

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Quills & Ink:

Humor and Words of Wisdom by Mariane Holbrook

A SOLDIER’S THANKSGIVING

Over there a soldier’s thinking
Of a time not long ago,
When his loved ones got together;
‘Twas Thanksgiving Day, you know.

Over there a soldier’s dreaming
Of a turkey baked just right,
Mashed potatoes, golden gravy,
Chestnut dressing, pure delight!

Over there a soldier’s hungry
For whipped cream on pumpkin pie.
Squares of cornbread, crusts so tender,
Homemade biscuits stacked up high.

Over there a soldier’s wishing
He could have one buttered roll.
But he feasts on GI rations
While his unit’s on patrol.

Over there a soldiers lying
In a ditch, his makeshift bed.
Mud and dirt are his companions;
Been awhile since he’s been fed.

Over there a soldier’s praying
That his open sores will heal.
He is sure that he’ll feel better
Once he has a good hot meal.

Over there a soldier’s hearing
Loud explosions, muffled cries.
Shrapnel killed his foxhole buddy
Right before his very eyes.

Over there a soldier’s quoting
Scriptures learned at Mother’s knee,
Proud that he’s a mighty warrior,
Keeping all his loved ones free.

This Thanksgiving as you’re eating
That sweet corn that grandpa grew,
Say a prayer for that dear soldier
Who would love to be with you.

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