Quilt
Period1847
MediumCotton, cotton batting
Dimensions17.5 × 89 in. (44.5 × 226.1 cm)
ClassificationsQuilts and Coverlets
Credit LineGift of Mrs. William S. Davis, Jr., 1984
Object number1984.5.1
DescriptionAn unfinished section of quilt containing five appliqued blocks in the "Mariner's Compass" pattern, in pink, red, and blue cotton prints on plain white cotton ground. The blocks have been quilted, with a plain white cotton backing and thin cotton batting, quilted in a leaf and scallop designs. Each block is inked with signatures, locations and dates, including "Hanna Wright / March 18th 1847," "Susan Jane Bloodgood / March 18th 1847," "Debera Vanderenter / March 18 1847 / South Amboy / N.J.," Mrs. Ann Eliza Brown / March 18 / 1847," and "Mrs. Margaret Wright / March 18 / 1847."Curatorial RemarksAfter examination, it seems that this quilt fragment originated from a finished quilt, and was for some reason taken apart. The beauty of the original quilt can only be imagined, as these five Mariner's Compass blocks are skillfully appliqued, the colors still bright and bold, and the remaining quilting well done. Originally thought to have been an unfinished quilt fragment, an examination of the strip by the Heritage Quilt Project of New Jersey in 1993 indicated that, based upon the raw edges and the location of the remaining quilting stitches, this was taken apart in the early to mid 20th century. The original quilt may have been damaged, or the quilt was disassembled in order to give portions of the quilt to female descendants.NotesThe five blocks of this quilt fragment include inked signatures. The women - Susan Jane Bloodgood, Debera Vanderventer, Ann Eliza Brown, and Margaret Wright - may have produced their Mariner's Compass blocks as part of a group effort. Female congregants of a particular church would often design, sew, and present quilts to ministers and their families, usually to commemorate the minister's departure from the congregation. The Association has a number of such quilts. Two of the women signed not only their names and dates of completion, but their town, South Amboy. At least one woman, Mrs. Ann Eliza Brown, appears to have lived in the Matawan area of Monmouth County.
Collections
