RevolutionCrossroads/si_us_revolutionary_era_collections huggingface dataset:
1790 - 1810 Chardavoyne Family White-work Quilt
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Quilt
date made: 1790 - 1810
Date made: delete
maker: unknown
place made: United States: New York
Physical Description: fabric, cotton (overall material)
thread, linen (overall material)
filling, cotton (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 98 in x 96 in; 249 cm x 244 cm
Credit line: Gift of Martha Chardavoyne Cramer
Topics: Quilts
Furnishings
Textiles
Description: This precisely quilted example of white-work was handed down in the Chardavoyne family. The donor, Martha C. Cramer, wrote that her grandmother told her; “. . . that the spread was the handiwork of ‘an orphan’ who was adopted by her grandparents [William and Amy Chardavoyne] . . . the orphan was illiterate, perhaps because schools were not available.” The quilt came to the donor “. . . in 1905 when my grandmother came to make her home with us following the death of her husband.” In 1981, the donor added, “I should like to donate the spread to the Smithsonian I am now 85 years old and have no close relatives.”
The quilt or counterpane has a center medallion of quilted floral patterns surrounded by quilted floral, feathered, and grid patterns. Both the sewing and quilting threads are linen. It is elaborately quilted at 11 stitches per inch. No binding; front and lining are turned in and sewn with running stitch. It is a fine example of white-work quilting from the late 18th-early 19th century.
1806 Charlotte Roe's Child's Quilt
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: quilt, crib
quilts
Date made: 1806
quilter: Roe, Charlotte
Physical Description: fabric, cotton (overall material)
thread, linen, silk (overall material)
filling, cotton (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 41 in x 34 in; 103 cm x 87 cm
Credit line: Gift of Ruth Marie Smith
Topics: Children
Quilts
Furnishings
Textiles
Description: Charlotte Merritt Roe embroidered her name as well as the place (Virgil) and date (1806) on this pieced child’s quilt. Charlotte Merritt was born in 1774 in Rye, Westchester County, New York. She married John Elting Roe in 1796. In 1797 Charlotte and her husband settled in Virgil, New York. They stayed on to rear five children. This quilt, made for one of their children, was passed down through the family before being donated to the Museum in 1984.
An anecdote in <I> Stories of Cortland County </I> by Bertha E. Blodgett, Cortland, New York, published in 1932, relates the arrival of Charlotte and John Roe in Virgil.
“In the spring of 1797 John E. Roe . . . came up the river and prepared a log cabin in Virgil. He . . . peeled bark for a roof and agreed with a man to put it on . . . then went down the Tioughnioga to get his wife, bringing her in a sleigh from Oxford . . . .
When they came to the river at a place called Messengerville, they saw Mr. Chaplin’s house on the opposite bank. It was winter and the river was high, and the canoe that had been used in crossing was carried away. Mr. Chaplin’s hog trough was secured, and Mrs. Roe was safely carried over on it . . . whole day was consumed in negotiating the road over the hill to Virgil . . . when they arrived they were surprised to find their house without a covering and the snow deep on the floor . . . .
In after years, Mrs. Roe enjoyed telling the story of her experience . . . and she always ended by saying, ‘And what do you think! The horses were so hungry that they ate the seats out of my nice rush-bottomed chairs.”
1795 Eliza Bennis's "Irish Volunteers" Counterpane
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: quilt
date made: 1795
maker: Bennis, Eliza
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: fabric, linen/cotton, cotton, linen (overall material)
thread, linen, silk, wool, cotton (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 77 in x 84 in; 196 cm x 212 cm
Credit line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. George Bernardo
Topics: Quilts
Furnishings
Textiles
Description: Eliza Bennis appliqued her initials “EB” and date “1795” in the center of the outer border of this counterpane. Although in fragile condition, this appliqued and embroidered textile is noteworthy. The center panel (21+” high x 28+” wide) is an early Irish printed fabric known as “Irish Volunteers” or “Volunteer Furniture.” The copper-plate design, probably drawn by Gabriel Beranger, is a representation of a Provincial Review in Phoenix Park (June 1782) near Dublin. It was printed by Thomas Harpur at Leixlip, Ireland. This particular fabric may have held significance for Eliza as her husband, in 1779, was instrumental in the formation of a Limerick corps of Irish Volunteers.
Elizabeth (Eliza) was born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1725, daughter of Isaac and Alice Patten. Eliza married Mitchell Bennis (1720-1788) in 1745. They had four children that reached adulthood. Eliza is significant in the history of Methodism and corresponded with John Wesley, among others. <I> Journal of Elizabeth Bennis 1749-1779, </I> begun in her 20s, is an accounting of her spiritual progress after she joined the Methodist Society. In her later years she emigrated from Limerick to Philadelphia and possibly brought the “Irish Volunteers” fabric or counterpane with her. She died in 1802. In 1809 her son, Thomas, published a book of her correspondence.
1800 - 1825 Nine-patch variation quilt block
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Quilt Block
date made: 1800-1825
maker: unknown
place made: United States
Physical Description: thread, cotton (overall material)
fabric, cotton (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 10 in x 10 in; 25 cm x 25 cm
Topics: Quilts
Furnishings
Description (Brief): Quilt block pieced in a Nine-patch variation. Zig-zag stripes roller-printed in brown on woven ivory Marseilles ground and leafed vines (all dots) roller-printed in brown on woven Marseilles ground. Block has been stitched to other blocks at one time; there are needle holes and fragments of white cotton along all edges.
1800 - 1825 Nine-patch Variation Block
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Quilt Block
date made: 1800-1825
maker: unknown
place made: United States
Physical Description: thread, cotton (overall material)
fabric, cotton (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 10 in x 10 in; 25 cm x 25 cm
Topics: Quilts
Furnishings
Textiles
Description (Brief): Quilt block pieced in a Nine-patch variation. Double diagonal grid roller-printed in blue on woven ivory Marseilles ground. Block has been stitched to other blocks at one time; there are needle holes and fragments of white cotton along all edges.
1800 - 1850 "Star" Appliqued Pillow Case
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Pillowcase, Quilted
date made: 1800 - 1850
maker: unknown
place made: United States: Pennsylvania
Physical Description: thread, cotton (overall material)
fabric, cotton (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 24 in x 15 in; 60 cm x 38 cm
Credit line: Gift of Doris M. Bowman
Description: This small pillowcase is embellished with eight 11-pointed blue stars in the center of each is a 6-pointed star. The blue fabric is a resist block-printed light blue on dark blue; the inner stars are a printed cotton. The stars are appliqued on a single piece of white cotton, folded along one long edge, seamed along one long and one short edge and hemmed at opening on short edge.
This simple item with its free-form stars may have been a practice sewing project. The result is a delightful design.
1800 - 1825 Pieced Quilt
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: quilt
date made: 1800-1825
maker: unknown
place made: United States
Physical Description: fabric, cotton (overall material)
thread, cotton (overall material)
filling, cotton (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 121 in x 105 in; 308 cm x 266 cm
Topics: Quilts
Furnishings
Textiles
Description: This quilt, composed of 5 ¾” squares of printed cotton set diagonally with 2 ¾” sashing and border, contains interesting cotton fabrics from the early 19th century. The green motif repeated on a dark ground appears to have been mordant-printed from a small wooden stamp, possibly of Indian origin, and dyed. The sashing is cut from yardage of copper-block-printed floral stripes, probably English. The lining is a block-printed resist-dyed fabric. The various fabric printing techniques and the woven effect of the sashing contribute to the appeal of this quilt.
1790 - 1810 Pieced Cradle or Crib Quilt
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Quilt, Crib
Date made: delete
delete
date made: 1790 - 1810
maker: unknown
place made: United States
Physical Description: fabric, cotton, linen (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 34 in x 25 in; 86 cm x 64 cm
Credit line: Mrs. Robert B. Stephens
Topics: Children
Quilts
Furnishings
Textiles
Description: A small quilt, probably for use in a cradle or crib, is pieced in a framed center pattern. The center, 24-inches by 20-inches, is pieced with block-printed fabrics. The border, 2 ½-inches at the side and 4 ½-inches top and bottom, is a well-worn block-printed cotton. It is bound, cotton filled and lined. An overall diagonal grid pattern was used for the quilting. Unfortunately neither maker nor owner is known.
1800 - 1825 Blue Resist Block-printed Quilt
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: quilt
date made: 1800-1825
maker: unknown
place made: United States: Connecticut
Physical Description: fabric, cotton (overall material)
thread, cotton (overall material)
filling, cotton (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 74 in x 66 in; 188 cm x 166 cm
Credit line: Gift of Mrs. Robert B. Stephens
Topics: Quilts
Furnishings
Textiles
Description: This early 19th-century quilt was found in Connecticut. The faded areas of the block-printed, blue resist top suggest the probable use of recycled fabrics. The fabric may have been from worn or out-of-fashion curtains, or other bed furnishings of an earlier period.
In order to obtain the pattern on the cotton fabric used for the top, a dye-resistant substance was applied to specific areas. The fabric was then dipped in an indigo dye. The resist was then removed, leaving the background without dye. The quilt is lined with a plain white fabric, and quilted in a diamond grid pattern.
1790 - 1810 Framed Center Pieced Quilt
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Quilt
date made: 1790 - 1810
maker: unknown
Physical Description: fabric, cotton (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 96 in x 91 in; 243.84 cm x 231.14 cm
Credit line: Gift of Mrs. Robert B. Stephens
Topics: Quilts
Furnishings
Textiles
Description: This late 18th – early 19th century quilt is pieced in a framed-center pattern. The 13-inch outer border on three sides is a plate-printed cotton. The fanciful flowers, birds, and insects create a dynamic pattern. The fourth side has a large square in a blue floral print on either corner creating a contrast to the mainly brown and beige colors of the other fabrics. The geometric layout of the central portion directs attention to the octagonal center.
The border is a quilted pattern of a vine-with-flower motif. Additionally, the maker seems to have stitched freeform floral designs in each of the triangular pieces. Unfortunately nothing is known of the maker or owner, but the quilt has a wonderful array of fabrics, stunningly assembled.
1800 - 1810 Quilted Counterpane
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Quilt
date made: 1800 - 1810
maker: unknown
place made: United States
Physical Description: fabric, linen, cotton (overall material)
thread, linen, cotton (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 77 in x 56 in; 196 cm x 142 cm
Credit line: GIft of Mrs. Robert B. Stephens
Topics: Quilts
Furnishings
Textiles
Description: This quilted counterpane has a cotton top and linen lining. The top is pieced using various sized segments of the same block-printed fabric. The floral fabric is in red, pink, brown, tan, and black with penciled blue and yellow (blue over yellow) for green. The top and lining are stitched with linen thread; cotton thread was used for the Chevron pattern quilting. The fabric is earlier than the quilt and probably was used previously, an example of recycling precious fabrics in the early 19th century.
1775 - 1825 Phoebe Pettit's Pieced Quilt
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: quilt
date made: 1775-1825
maker: Pettit, Phoebe
place made: United States
Physical Description: fabric, cotton, linen (overall material)
thread, cotton (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 93 in x 73 in; 236 cm x 185 cm
Credit line: GIft of Ellen E. Rowe
Topics: Quilts
Furnishings
Textiles
Description: Phoebe Pettit’s quilt has an elaborate quilting pattern imposed over a pieced pattern, an unusual technique at this period. Blue threads in the selvedges of the dotted pink fabric indicate that it was manufactured in England between 1774 and 1811. Diagonal quilting provides the background for the complex floral stuffed-work pattern in the center. The irregular scalloped border that cuts into the pieced pattern is a mystery.
Phoebe Beach was born August 5, 1770, in Albany, N.Y. She married Maj. Macijah Pettit, an officer in the Revolutionary Army, who fought with George Washington. After her death, the Major sent the quilt to her family in upstate New York. It was carefully preserved in the family until its donation in 1994.
1790 - 1810 Block-printed Reversible Quilt
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: quilt
date made: 1790 - 1810
maker: unknown
place made: United States
Physical Description: fabric, cotton (overall material)
thread, cotton, linen (overall material)
filling, cotton (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 96 in x 84 in; 244 cm x 212 cm
Topics: Quilts
Furnishings
Textiles
Description: A delightful pattern of squirrels and birds on sinuous branches is block-printed in the central area of the counterpane that is one side of this reversible quilt. The squirrel-and-bird motif is framed by a 10 1/2-inch border, also block-printed in tan, brown and orange, of swags of fruit and tassels. Inscribed in ink in a corner: “$71.15” ? (line drawn under) and “$4.50”. Might this have been the charge to block-print?
The reverse side is pieced, composed of alternating vertical strips of floral block-printed and roller-printed fabrics. The quilt is filled with cotton and quilted in a chevron pattern, 6 stitches per inch.
The quilt and counterpane (1995.0008.02) with similar block prints were found in New York State. An analysis of the placement of the printed patterns on the fabric, and in the sequences of the printing and assembling, indicate the possibility of a local artisan printing variations to order.
[None None None None None]
1790 - 1810 Block-printed Counterpane
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Quilt
date made: 1790 - 1810
Date made: delete
maker: unknown
place made: United States
Physical Description: fabric, cotton (overall material)
thread, cotton (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 106 in x 82 in; 269.24 cm x 208.28 cm
Credit line: Credit Line Restricted
Topics: Quilts
Furnishings
Textiles
Description: The center of this counterpane is composed of alternating wide and narrow block printed stripes, block-printed in pale dull yellow and brownish-gray with dark brown outlines. The wide border is block-printed in the same colors. Most of the blocks used in the border are the same as used to print the border of 1995.0008.01 which was later used as one side of a late 18th -early 19th century reversible quilt. Top and bottom edges are selvedges; side edges are turned to back and whipped.
The counterpane and quilt with similar block prints were found in New York tate. An analysis of the placement of the printed patterns on the fabric, and in the sequences of the printing and assembling, indicate the possibility of a local artisan printing variations to order.
[None None None None]
1790 - 1810 "Nine-patch" Pieced Quilt
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: quilt
date made: 1790-1810
maker: unknown
place made: United States
Physical Description: fabric, cotton linen (overall material)
thread, linen (overall material)
filling, cotton (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 94 in x 90 in; 237 cm x 229 cm
Credit line: Gift of Mrs. Robert Stephens
Topics: Quilts
Furnishings
Textiles
Description: Small “Nine-patch” blocks, mostly constructed of block-printed cottons, are set diagonally in 5-inch-wide vertical strips. These strips are further separated by narrower strips of dark brown cotton with printed flowers and beige and white striped cotton. Linen thread was used for the chevron pattern quilting (6 stitches per inch). The quilt is an example of early-19th-century fabrics and design.
1790 - 1810 Copp Family's "Nine-patch" Pieced Quilt
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: quilt
date made: 1790-1810
maker: Copp Family
place made: United States: Connecticut, Stonington
Physical Description: fabric, cotton, linen (overall material)
thread, linen, cotton (overall material)
filling, wool (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 101 in x 101 in; 255 cm x 257 cm
Credit line: Gift of John Brenton Copp
Topics: Quilts
Furnishings
Textiles
Description: This quilt is one of three late-eighteenth-and-early-nineteenth-century quilts that were donated in the 1890s by John Brenton Copp of Stonington, Connecticut. All are a part of an extensive gift of household textiles, costume items, furniture, and other objects that belonged to his family from 1750 to 1850. The Copp Collection continues to provide insights into New England family life of that period.
The pieced blocks on this quilt, a variation of the “Nine-patch” pattern, are each made of one of nine different block-printed cottons. These are symmetrically arranged according to the particular print, and alternate with plain white blocks. The quilting pattern consists of parallel diagonal lines on the pieced blocks contrasting with 1½-inch shells on the white blocks, all quilted at 7 stitches per inch.
An analysis of the household textile collection donated by John Brenton Copp can be found in the <I> Copp Family Textiles </I> by Grace Rogers Cooper (Smithsonian Institution Press, 1971). In the book the author summarizes the family background. “The first Copp to reach America was William, a 26-year-old London shoemaker who in 1635 set out for the Massachusetts Colony on the good ship <I> Blessing.</I> He landed east of Boston and became the first owner of Copp’s Hill in north Boston . . . . William’s son Jonathan established the Connecticut branch of the family around Stonington later in the seventeenth century. Many of his male descendents gained comfortable prosperity as merchants and businessmen, while their wives and daughters led full lives as mothers of the large families in which education and refinement were encouraged . . . . The long succession of Jonathans, Samuels, Catherines, Esters, Marys, and Sarahs makes it rather difficult to set in order the generations and their contributions to the collection.” The exact maker of this “Nine-patch” quilt is unidentified, but it was probably made by one or more members of the Copp household.
[None None None]
1790 - 1810 Whole Cloth Indigo quilt, Vermont
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Quilt
date made: 1790 - 1810
maker: unknown
Place Made: United States: Vermont, Hartford
Physical Description: thread, wool (overall material)
fabric, wool (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 95 in x 95 in; 241 cm x 241 cm
Credit line: Gift of Henry K. Bush-Brown
Topics: Quilts
Furnishings
Textiles
Description: This dark blue wool quilt has a center panel quilted with a pineapple motif with sprays of leaves surrounded by a leafy vine, pinwheels and band of simple stylized leaves. At the top, a 15-1/2" border is quilted with chevrons. The side and bottom borders, 17" wide, are quilted with a meandering vine. It has a tan wool lining and filling. No separate binding; top edge, front and lining turned in and sewn with running stitch; sides and bottom, front brought to back with running stitch. Additional quilting: parallel diagonal lines in the open spaces of center and borders, with chevrons in top border. Stitched 7 stitches/inch.
The wool for both the front and lining is said to have been raised on the farm of the Hon. James Udall of Hartford, Vermont, and carded, spun, and woven in the house. James Udall bred Merino sheep, Durham cattle, and Morgan horses. The donor is the grandson of James Udall.
1790 - 1795 Martha Soule's Crewel Embroidered Quilt
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: quilt
quilts
Date made: 1790-1795
quilter: Soule, Martha Babson Lane
Physical Description: fabric, cotton, linen/cotton (overall material)
thread, wool, linen, cotton (overall material)
filling, cotton (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 84 in x 87 in; 214 cm x 220 cm
Credit line: Gift of Mrs. Caroline M. Gordon
Topics: Quilts
Furnishings
Textiles
Description: Information included with this quilt when it was donated to the Smithsonian in 1925 indicated that it was made by the donor’s grandmother. Martha Babson Lane Soule of Freeport, Maine, was donor Caroline M. Gordon’s grandmother. Another quilt attributed to Martha Babson Lane Soule was donated by Martha’s great-great-grandson in 1951. Both quilts have crewel work embroidery that may date to the 1790s.
The quilt top, probably an unquilted counterpane, may date from 1790 or earlier. It is embroidered with indigo-dyed crewel (2-ply worsted) yarn in a pattern of scrolling vines with fanciful flowers and leaves, emanating from a central basket. The four corner motifs are alike, and two other flowers are repeated, while all other flowers and leaves are different in design. Embroidery stitches include stem, cross, herringbone, seed, buttonhole, Roumanian, running and couching.
The foundation fabrics of the counterpane are cotton and linen/cotton. The counterpane was probably made into a quilt in the early-nineteenth century with a thin filling of carded cotton and a lining of linen/cotton and cotton fabrics. It was quilted in a chevron pattern using 2-ply cotton in a running stitch, 5 to 6 stitches per inch.
Martha Babson Lane was born December 22, 1772, in Freeport, Cumberland County, Maine. The Lane family is listed among the settlers in that area of Maine as early as the 1650s. Martha married Moses Soule on May 25, 1793. Moses farmed in the Freeport area, and was a deacon in the church and a caulker by trade.
Martha and Moses Soule had eleven children, three of whom died within a few months of each other in 1807 at ages three, five, and eight. Three other children, born later, were given their names; John/James Babson, Nancy, and Jeannette.
One son, Gideon Lane Soule (1796-1879) was the first of his four brothers to attend Phillips Exeter Academy. He later became a professor at the Academy and for thirty-five years, from 1838 to 1873, served as its principal. Under his able direction the Academy experienced increasing growth, prosperity, and prestige.
The youngest son, John Babson Lane Soule (1815-1891), after attending the Academy, graduated from Bowdoin College. Although he completed law studies, he spent his life as a teacher, journalist, and minister in Indiana, Wisconsin, and Illinois. He is noted for possibly being the originator of the popular slogan; “Go West, young man!” used in an editorial he wrote in 1851 for the <I>Terre Haute Express</I> which was later adopted by Horace Greeley so effectively in an 1865 <I>New York Tribune</I> editorial. Martha Babson Lane Soule died on December 20, 1837, and is buried in the Lane Cemetery near Freeport, Maine.