Myths

Myths about the Underground Railroad have been mistaken as true, but most are not. Quilts are one example. Many people believe the slaves made quilts to help other slaves by stitching secret messages in them. It is very unlikely this is true because first, where would the slaves find enough scrap material to make a quilt? A major myth is about quilts being made other than for warmth during the Underground Railroad. Quilts were rumored to give codes to fugitive and/or runaway slaves. Other slaves would stitch messages on them and hang them outside their house or their owner's house. Then, a runaway slave would see this and follow the quilt's directions. Slaves would do this because they were not allowed to communicate with runaway or fugitive slaves or they would be terribly punished. While this is a nice thought, slaves did not have time to make the quilts and would sew them for more practical uses. The slaves would use it to sleep on or for warmth. There are many myths including the level of involvement of Quakers with the Underground Railroad, and houses having lanterns in their windows to show the house was a safe house. Below are some more examples of myths that are mistaken to be true. The Underground Railroad was actually not a train system, but a metaphor with fewer resources than we imagine.

Myth:

The abolitionists, or "workers", on the Underground Railroad were white.

Truth:

Most of the people who helped runaway slaves were freed or escaped slaves themselves.

Myth:

The Underground Railroad had "stops" in the south.

Truth:

At the time there was no Underground Railroad in the south. Slaves rarely received helped until they reached a free, northern state.

Myth:

A good amount of slaves escaped from deep southern states.

Truth:

Because slaves could not reach help until they got to the north, it was very unlikely slaves escaped from deep southern states, like Alabama and Louisiana.

Myth:

There were very distinct trails the slaves followed to escape.

Truth:

There were actually no trails to freedom, there were almost as many trails as escaping slaves.

Myth:

Many people in the north welcomed and helped slaves by letting them into their home.

Truth:

In truth only a small number of people helped, eventually some states would not let the slaves in.

Myth:

Almost all slaves were familiar with the Underground Railroad.

Truth:

Even though slaves had been escaping since they were brought to the New World, the concept of the Underground Railroad did not emerge until about 1840.

Myth:

The Quakers were very steadily involved because of their religious beliefs.

Truth:

Though some Quakers helped escaping slaves, a good amount did not believe in breaking the law. The most important Quaker involved was Levi Coffin. He later called himself the "Father of the Railroad." Coffin was one of few to have had involvement in the Underground Railroad.