Underground Railroad Quilt Trail

The First Block: Chips and Whetstones

Located on the Assistant Millers house at the Linchester Mill site,
3390 Linchester Rd, Preston, MD 21655
Painted by Marjorie Scott, CRHS art teacher with help from Cameron Hinson, CRHS student

The Unveiling

March 9th, 2013, 1:30pm

The Story

Chips and Whetstone block is named after the sharpening stone used on knives, sickles, and other sharp farm implements. A small portion of the enslaved were selected to learn traditional skilled arts and were often apprenticed to neighboring farms to learn their craft. These skilled slaves were essential to the farm and the various trades of their owners. Often, their skills would have brought in extra income through the common practice of renting them out to neighbors and fellow businessmen.
During the time spent away from their owners, slaves would have the opportunity to interact with other slaves and freemen of color. Through these sources, slaves were able to acquire information of those sympathetic to their cause, where help could be attained. Help consisted of forged documents, escape routes, location of safe houses, clothes, and money. An example of a skilled slave who used these contacts was Frederick Douglass, who was a caulker on ships in the Baltimore Harbor.