Scholarly commnetary "Quakers and the Underground Railroad: Myths and Realities" by Christopher Densmore Curator, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

Quakers in Action: Anti-Slavery in North America - by QuakersintheWorld.org

Quakers Played Major Role in Ending Slavery in United States - United State Department’s Bureau of International Information Programs

The Rise of Antislavery Thoughts- Digital History, University of Houston

The stitching that holds the layers together is called quilting. It gives the fabric texture, and the designs can be simple or astonishingly elaborate. Quilting could be done by one sewer, but sometimes women got together for quilting “bees” or “frolics”. They would stretch the cover over a frame and gather around to work on it and quilt it all in one day. Women made quilts using fabric from old dresses, blankets, coats and other cast-offs, as well as buying material especially for the purpose. Chintz made in India was the most common fabric used.

Quilt making is hugely popular today, especially in the USA. While the internet is awash with quilt websites, here are a few I found most helpful and interesting.

To read more about Tracy Chevalier's Quilt, go to http://www.tchevalier.com/background/32-quilts.

Who are Quakers?  - Founded in the 1600s by George Fox, Quakerism was originally called "Children of the Light" then "The Society of Friends." Quakers came to be called such because of a trembling many experienced when talking to God. (02:34)

Fighting Intolerance and Slavery: Christianity in the 17th and 18th Centuries - Part one of this program traces the spread of Christianity via the Puritans to North America. Victims of intolerance in the Old World, the émigrés swiftly proved intolerant of others in the New World, leaving it to the Quakers to promote the religious freedom later associated with the United States. Part two outlines the Scientific and Industrial Revolutions, the Methodism of John Wesley, and the concept of human rights. How had the un-Christian institution of slavery endured so long in France, England, and, most notably, in egalitarian America? (48 minutes)

and more...