[MassHistPres] Underground Railroad and Chimneys

[Kathryn M. Greenfield]

I have only ever heard that a white chimney on a house, dating to Revolutionary times, was meant to signify that Loyalists lived there.  It was sometimes referred to as a Tory chimney.  I have never heard the link to underground railroad. (I do not have any expertise, by any stretch. Am just adding my thoughts).



From: Ann Morgan 
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 9:08 AM
To: 'MassHistPres' 
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Underground Railroad and Chimneys


I'd be interested as well.  Our house (c. 1786) has a similar set up in the basement and has had a white chimney / black cap for as long as anyone in town can remember including the now 90 year old fellow who grew up in the house.  We had a chimney restoration company specializing in antique homes out to the house last summer.  The fellow told us that the color scheme on the chimney was an indication of political affiliation.  It would be great to know which (if either) is correct.  We've got at least three buildings within a 2 mile radius of my house that, local legend has it, were on the Underground Railroad.  So, either explanation could be plausible or, at the least, charming folklore.  

 

 

Ann V. Morgan

Assistant Planner

(508) 839-5335  Ext. 145 

(508) 839-4602 - FAX

www.grafton-ma.gov 

 

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From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu [mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of Marian Pierre-Louis
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 6:55 AM
To: 'MassHistPres'
Subject: [MassHistPres] Underground Railroad and Chimneys

 

 

Recently I was touring an 18th century colonial in my area that had an enclosed space around the chimney on the first floor that was supposedly used for hiding runaway slaves.  The owner told me that he had heard that a white chimney with a black cap was a symbol that the house was part of the Underground Railroad.  Is there any truth to this?  If so, can you suggest any sources that I can refer to for further information?   I did do a Google search and found that others mentioned the same thing but I wasn't able to find any definitive source to show me that it was anything more than folklore.

 

Thanks!

 

Marian Pierre-Louis

Medway Historical Commission

Medway, MA 


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