| In the time preceeding the Civil War and for a short time after the War, Jerseyville was noted as an Underground Railroad stop for slaves who were trying to escape to Freedom. In the year of 1827 James Faulkner built the "Little Red House". This was the first frame structure in the surrounding area. He sold this property to Alfred Carpenter, who converted the "Little Red House" into a Tavern and Stage Coach Station. Two cisterns were dug for the tavern, one to collect rain water for washing purposes and the other one was a false cistern with an opening on one side leading to an underground tunnel that led to a livery stable. A trap door above this hideout was cut to provide another escape route and a way to pass food and water to the slaves hiding below. The "Little Red House" was a "Railroad Station" for slaves who were seeking a way to "FREEDOM". |
| Jersey County Historical Society 601 North State Street Jerseyville, Illinois 62052 |
| The "Little Red House" is enclosed within the Cheney Mansion. Several additions were added to the Red House and today the property belongs to the Jersey County Historical Society, a gift of Clayton Deon Brown and Richard McCauley. Each year we offer tours for the children of the local schools. In the month of May more than 250 children of the primary grades are escorted through the mansion and other facilities and given an oral account of events taking place from the 1820s. This project grows each year and is an exciting learning experience for the children, teacher and parents. |
| The false cellar where the slaves hid during their flight to freedom, located beneath the historic Cheney Mansion |
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD QUILT CODE
Twelve quilt codes were used to direct the runaway slaves to take
particular action when they decided to flee the south and attempt to get
to freedom.
Each quilt featured one of the twelve patterns. The quilts were placed
one at a time on a fence. Since it was common for the quilts to be aired
frequently, the master and mistress would never be suspicious when seeing
the quilts displayed in this fashion.
If an overseer heard the slaves talking about a "Trip Around The World" it
was dismissed as gibberish. It meant for slaves to travel around a
mountain and not over it.
"Wagon Wheel" pattern would signal the slaves to pack all the things that
would go in a wagon to be used in transit. The wagons sometimes had
secret compartments of a slave would hide under a load of hay to escape.
"Flying Geese" quilt gave direction for the slaves to flee to the north in
spring and summer.
"Follow the Stars" pattern implied to stay on the northward path to
freedom.
The "Monkey Wrench" quilt would mean they were to gather all the tools
they might need for their journey.
Slaves were to flee in a zigzag fashion and to even double back occasionally
in order to allude slave hunters, thus following the "Drunkard's Path".
A "Log Cabin" symbol could be drawn in the dirt in order to recognize
persons with whom it was safe to communicate.
The "Bear Paw" pattern would instruct the slaves to follow the trail of an
actual bear's footprints as that would lead to food and water.
The "Crossroads" quilt indicated a city with many paths to freedom.
If the "Pinwheel" quilt appeared, it meant the time was right and the
runaways should hurry in their flight to freedom.
The "Bow Tie" pattern instructed the slaves to change to clean clothes and
disguise themselves.
A person that would aid the escaping slaves was referred to as a "Shoofly".
It is believed that in order to memorize the whole code, a sampler quilt,
which included all the patterns, were often used.
Twelve quilt codes were used to direct the runaway slaves to take
particular action when they decided to flee the south and attempt to get
to freedom.
Each quilt featured one of the twelve patterns. The quilts were placed
one at a time on a fence. Since it was common for the quilts to be aired
frequently, the master and mistress would never be suspicious when seeing
the quilts displayed in this fashion.
If an overseer heard the slaves talking about a "Trip Around The World" it
was dismissed as gibberish. It meant for slaves to travel around a
mountain and not over it.
"Wagon Wheel" pattern would signal the slaves to pack all the things that
would go in a wagon to be used in transit. The wagons sometimes had
secret compartments of a slave would hide under a load of hay to escape.
"Flying Geese" quilt gave direction for the slaves to flee to the north in
spring and summer.
"Follow the Stars" pattern implied to stay on the northward path to
freedom.
The "Monkey Wrench" quilt would mean they were to gather all the tools
they might need for their journey.
Slaves were to flee in a zigzag fashion and to even double back occasionally
in order to allude slave hunters, thus following the "Drunkard's Path".
A "Log Cabin" symbol could be drawn in the dirt in order to recognize
persons with whom it was safe to communicate.
The "Bear Paw" pattern would instruct the slaves to follow the trail of an
actual bear's footprints as that would lead to food and water.
The "Crossroads" quilt indicated a city with many paths to freedom.
If the "Pinwheel" quilt appeared, it meant the time was right and the
runaways should hurry in their flight to freedom.
The "Bow Tie" pattern instructed the slaves to change to clean clothes and
disguise themselves.
A person that would aid the escaping slaves was referred to as a "Shoofly".
It is believed that in order to memorize the whole code, a sampler quilt,
which included all the patterns, were often used.
| On the last weekend in September of each year the Historical Society hold their "Apple Festival" In the year of 2004 the Apple Festival will held on Saturday and Sunday the 25th and 26th of September |
| For more information contact the Historical Society at: 618 498 3514 iriscot@yahoo.com |
Society Services
Cheney Mansion Tours
Museum Tours
Lone Star School Tours
Genealogy Research
Family History Research
Underground Railroad
Museum Tours
Lone Star School Tours
Genealogy Research
Family History Research
Underground Railroad
| Jersey County Historical Society Organized in 1904 |
| UNDERGROUND RAILROAD QUILT CODE |