John E. Allen

The Content of Their Character: the Story Behind This Antique Quilt and the History of the African American Family That Made It John E. Allen

This book approaches the subject of Black history from a unique perspective. It will reveal American history from a totally new perspective with surprising new facts and a different focus from most historical studies. It focuses on a120 year old quilt passed down thru several generations. The quilt was made by former slaves and there are indications that it may have been made as a demonstration quilt outlining the Underground Railroad method of communication via symbols. This book presents a method for translating the Underground Railroad code present on this quilt. It also uncovers the history of the African American family that made this quilt for 150 years. An analysis of potential escape routes for contraband slaves in presented. It follows American history as it affected this family from pre Civil war years thru the Reconstruction era on to the Harlem renaissance and beyond. This book follows the later generations of the same family as they participated in the development of bebop jazz performing in New York and Europe with some of the most celebrated jazz musicians. This is a family with a very unique untold story in African American history.