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Underground Railroad Symbols for kids: The Underground Railway
History
There were harsh penalties for runaway slaves and their helpers -
refer to the
Fugitive
Slave Act.
Although slaves had been trying to escape from slavery for many
years the name "Underground Railroad" only started to be used in
1831 following
the religious revival of the
Second Great Awakening
which resulted in the
1830
Abolitionist Movement which became active following
Nat Turner's Rebellion
leading to the establishment of the
Underground Railroad.
For additional information also
refer to
Underground Railroad
Maps
Underground Railroad Symbols for kids: The Name "Underground
Railway"
The term "Underground Railroad" was chosen in 1831 as a secret code
name for the escape routes used by fugitive slaves. The reason the
name was chosen was this date coincided with
the time the first railroads began to run in America - refer to
American Railroads.
The word "underground" was added meaning a covert group organized to
hide a secret operation.
Underground Railroad Symbols for kids: Symbols and Signs
The
"Underground Railroad", operating under essential secrecy, adopted
many symbols and signs that were made known to the fugitive slaves:
● Passwords
were used to ensure the fugitives were genuine
● Messages
were sent by drumming stones together
● The hoot
of an owl was used to convey messages
● Certain
Songs were sung as symbols of Underground Railway members
● "All
Clear" was conveyed in safe houses using a lighted lantern in a
certain place as this symbol
● Knocks on
doors used a coded series of taps as symbols of identity
● Certain
items, such as a quilt, were hung on a clothesline
Underground Railroad Symbols for kids: Quilt Codes
Unsubstantiated theories
has been offered that quilts were made containing Underground
Railway symbols. The use of symbols on quilts were said to be an
effective way for slaves to communicate nonverbally with each other
and help each other to escape. This does make some sense in
relation to quilts being hung on clotheslines. Symbols used to
indicate routes:
●
Geese symbols
flying North
●
Crossroads
symbols that indicated Cleveland, Ohio
●
Bears Paw
symbols conveying a message to take a mountain route
●
Bow tie
symbols meaning it would be necessary to change from slave
clothing
●
Broken dish
symbols which would be used as directional symbols along the
escape route
● Symbols
of log cabins told slaves to look for this symbol on their
journey to freedom
●
Box symbols
that indicated it was time to pack (box-up) ready to escape
● Patterns
called a monkey wrench were were symbols reminding slaves to
prepare for the journey taking weapons or tools that would help
on their journey
● North Star
symbols indicating the way to freedom
Underground Railroad Symbols for kids: The Secret Code Names
Once the name
"Underground Railroad"
had been established, it was logical to use other secret words,
phrases, codes, signs and symbols that referred to the operation of
a real railroad. At this time everyone was talking about the new
American railroad. It was essential to keep escape plans completely
secret and by using these secret codes anyone who overheard such
conversations would think they were talking about the railroad, not
runaway slaves.
Underground Railroad Symbols: The Secret Language of the
"Underground Railway"
The meaning of words and symbols used in the
"Underground Railroad" relating to railways were as follows:
Underground
Railroad Symbols for kids - Railways
Words, Signs
and Symbols - Meaning and
Definition
Underground
Railroad -
The name for the
secret network of organizations and operations who
helped slaves to escape slavery
Railroad Line -
Line referred to the
route from one safe house to another
Conductor -
Conductors were those
who guided fugitive slaves between safe houses
Station master -
The station master
was the owner of a safe house
Station / Depot -
Station and Depot
were the secret names given
to hiding places or safe houses used during escapes
Cargo / Freight -
Cargo or Freight was the name
given to fugitive slaves who received assistance from
conductors on the Underground Railroad
Passengers -
Passengers was
another name give to slaves traveling the escape routes
Baggage -
Baggage was another
secret name for a fugitive slave
Parcels -
Term to indicate that
fugitive slaves were on their way to a safe house
Stockholders -
The name given to
abolitionists who donated money, food, shelter and
clothing to the Underground Railway
Ticket Agents -
Agents was the name
given to those who coordinated and planned escape routes.
Slaves were given a 'ticket'
Operator or
Engineer -
Other names for a
conductor (the guides)
Jumping off place
- Place of safe shelter
for fugitive slaves
Patty Rollers or
Paddy Rollers -
Patty Rollers,
Pattyrollers or Paddy Rollers were slave catchers.
Probably a derivation of patrollers but 'Roller rigs'
was used for the investigation of steam locomotives
Words, Signs
and Symbols
-
Meaning and
Definition
Underground
Railroad Symbols Facts for kids - Railways
Underground Railroad Symbols: Code words and phrases relating to
Religion
Just as the American railroads provided secret words and symbols
relating to the
"Underground Railroad" it was also safe to apply religious
words, signs and symbols to extend the vocabulary of the
organization. The
words, phrases and symbols used in the
"Underground Railroad" relating to religion were as follows:
Underground
Railroad Symbols for kids - Religious
Words, Signs
and Symbols
-
Meaning and
Definition
Canaan -
Canaan was a biblical
term used to mean Canada
Heaven -
The word used to
describe the destination of a fugitive, usually
referring to Canada
Preachers -
Abolitionists or
leaders of the
"Underground Railroad"
River Jordan -
The secret code word
for the Ohio River
Shepherds -
Shepherds were
alternative names for Conductors meaning those who
guided fugitive slaves between safe houses
Moses -
Moses was the code
name of Harriet Tubman, the most famous conductor
Gospel Songs -
Gospel songs like
"Steal away, steal away, steal away to Jesus", "Swing
low, sweet chariot" and "Wade in the Water" were used to
indicate that an escape plan was about to be carried out
or give reminders to use water to travel by. The song
"Follow the Drinking Gourd" was a reminder to follow the
North Star - as this would always lead the way to
freedom
Words, Signs
and Symbols
-
Meaning and
Definition
Underground
Railroad Symbols for kids - Religious
Underground Railroad Symbols: Other Code words and phrases
Other secret words, phrases and symbols relating to the
"Underground Railroad" were also used to extend the vocabulary
of the network as follows:
Underground
Railroad Symbols and Phrases
Phrases
-
Meaning and
Definition
"The river bank
makes a mighty good road" -
A reminder to travel
by water
"The wind blows
from the South today" -
An alert that
fugitive slaves were in the area
"The dead trees
will show you the way" -
A reminder that moss
grows on the North side of dead trees useful when the
stars were not visible
"Left foot, peg
foot" -
A description of a
certain conductor
"The friend of a
friend sent me" -
Password used by
slave fugitives
Phrases
-
Meaning and
Definition
Underground
Railroad Symbols for kids - Religious
Underground Railroad Symbols: Other Useful Words and Phrases
Other useful words and phrases associated with the
"Underground Railroad" are as follows:
Underground
Railroad - Meaning of Useful Words and Phrases
Words and
Phrases
-
Meaning and
Definition
Abolitionist -
A social reformer in
favor of abolishing slavery
Antebellum -
Antebellum is the
name given to historical era that preceded the Civil War
Emancipation -
Emancipation is the
act of setting a person free from slavery
Manumission -
Manumission the
formal act of freeing from slavery. A written
legal document freeing a person from slavery
Free States -
Free States that did
not allow slavery
Slave States -
Slave States
permitted slavery
The Mason-Dixon
Line - The Mason-Dixon Line
is the boundary line dividing the northern free
states from the southern slave states
The 'Gag rule'
-
The
Gag Rule
was a provision that
prevented the discussion of a topic in Congress, such as
abolishing slavery
Secession -
Secession was the
withdrawal of eleven Southern states from the Union in
1860 which precipitated the American Civil War
Fugitive Slave Law
- The Fugitive Slave
Laws were acts passed by Congress in 1793 and 1850
outlawing any efforts to impede the capture of runaway
slaves
Mulatto -
A word used to
describe a child of a black person and a white person
Words and
Phrases
-
Meaning and
Definition
Underground
Railroad - Meaning of Useful Words and Phrases
Black
History for kids: Important People and Events
For visitors interested in African American History
refer to
Black History - People and Events.
A useful resource for
teachers, kids, schools and colleges undertaking
projects for the Black History Month.
Underground Railroad Symbols for kids - President Andrew Jackson Video
The article on the
Underground Railroad Symbols provides an overview of one of the Important issues of his presidential term in office. The following
Andrew Jackson video will
give you additional important facts and dates about the political events experienced by the 7th American President whose presidency spanned from March 4, 1829 to March 4, 1837.
Underground Railroad Symbols
●
Interesting Facts about
Underground Railroad Symbols for kids
●
Underground Railroad Symbols for kids
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The Underground Railroad Symbols, a Important
event in US history
●
Andrew Jackson Presidency from March 4, 1829 to March 4, 1837
●
Fast, fun, interesting
Underground Railroad Symbols
●
Picture of Underground Railroad Quilt Symbols
● Underground Railroad
Symbols for schools,
homework, kids and children
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