Joliet Historian Shares Quilts' Role in Underground Railroad

A longtime quilter, Janet Boe of Yorkville had no idea of the significance of the patterns in her creations.

She was intrigued to learn from Clarice Boswell, a guest speaker at the Public Library on Tuesday, there were actually secret messages in the form of quilt patterns which aided slaves escaping the Southern states before and during the American Civil War.

“I do all these patterns, and I never knew the history behind them,” Boe said. “It’s so interesting.”

Boswell’s presentation, entitled "Underground Railroad Quilts,” included a variety of her family's vintage Civil War era quilts. She also regaled attendees with stories of her family which are detailed in her historical fiction book, Lizzie’s Story: A Slave Family’s Journey to Freedom, based on actual events.

Boswell’s presentation was held in conjunction with the library’s week-long exhibit.

The Joliet resident’s grandmother, Lizzie Brent Sheff Davis Cannon, was born Dec. 25, 1870, to parents who had been purchased and worked as slaves on a Kentucky plantation.

For 18 years before Boswell left for college to Kentucky State University, she shared a bedroom with Lizzie at their Kentucky home, and it was then when Lizzie, who was called by her children and grandchildren “Mama,” began sharing with Boswell the story of how her parents were able to escape slavery, and how quilts were often used to assist slaves who were using the Underground Railroad to find freedom.

Often, supporters would hang quilts outside their homes, ostensibly to dry them, that contained hidden meanings in their patchworks.

During Boswell’s presentation, many in the audience were surprised to learn the Wedding Ring pattern was originally called the “Slave Chain,” and displayed in many Catholic churches in the north, letting escaped slaves know the building would provide a refuge.

“Abolitionists would be there to cut the chains off the slaves,” Boswell said. “There were also hiding places in the basements. The churches were very instrumental in perpetuating the Underground Railroad.”

The code of the Ring of Roses quilt pattern was meant to celebrate the escaped slaves who were able make it to the north.

“Once they made it, all the families would get together and have a big celebration and give them a quilt celebrating their journey,” Boswell said. “Think how much joy it must have been for them to celebrate the arrival of new people.”

The Bowtie pattern let slaves know they could stop there for clothing.

Boswell is especially fond of the Grandmother’s Flower Basket pattern.

“I love it because my grandmother would say this quilt hung on the line right under the master’s nose,” she said. “It represented that within the plantation there was a cellar or place to hide in behind the flower gardens until dark.”

During Boswell’s presentation, her husband of 53 years, Hank, held up replica quilt patterns made by Boswell.

In the past few years, Boswell has cut back on the number of presentations she gives. She used to be a frequent guest at schools across the country.

“You’re very special,” she said with a laugh to the attendees Tuesday night.

Shorewood resident Diane Larson enjoyed Boswell’s presentation.

“I’ve always loved quilting," Larson said, "and I enjoy the history behind all of the patterns.” 

Pati Bradstreet, a Yorkville Public Library employee, lauded the presentation as “wonderful.”

“I did not realize the quilts had this story,” she said.

Bradstreet also appreciates Boswell’s willingness to share her family’s legacy.

“These are things that are going to be lost that we need to know,” she said.