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Quilt
Quilt
Quilt

Quilt

PeriodCirca 1845
Place MadeNew Jersey, U.S.A.
MediumCotton
Dimensions82.75 × 74.5 in. (210.2 × 189.2 cm)
ClassificationsQuilts and Coverlets
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Frederic S. Voorhees, 1948
Object number3250
DescriptionA rectangular quilt in an Oak Leaf and Reel variation, consisting of red cotton prints appliqued on a plain white cotton background, straight set blocks arranged five by six with no sashing. The backing is a white cotton with a small brown and black square repeat print. Batting appears to be a thin coton. Plain red cotton fabric is cut straight grain and applied as the quilt binding. Finely done hand quilting in both outline and stencil designs. The quilt includes inked names including Mr. John Runyon; Mr. Joseph Magee; Miss [illegible, ink has eaten away fabric], Mr. William H. Cosner; Miss Maggie Taylor; Capt. Thomas C[illegible]; Mr. George Cook; Miss Sarah J. Applegate; Mr. Edward C[illeg[ler; Miss Sarah Applegate; Mr. Cornelius Davison; Mr Henry Delatush; Mr. James Tinton [ink has degraded signature]; Miss Cornelia Taylor; Miss Maggie A. Taylor; Mr. [hole in fabric] Dey; Miss Hattie Cook; Miss Maggie A. Taylor; Miss Elizabeth Vandorn; Mr. James Taylor Jr.; Mrs. Malinda [?] Dey; Miss Phebe Ivins; Mr. Herbert Tilton; Mr. Charles Tilton; Mr. James Taylor; Miss Sarah E. Corsener [?]: Mr. Daniel Conover; Miss H[faded] Taylor.
Curatorial RemarksRoseanna Van Duesen Taylor's quilt is a fine example of how a bold color scheme - the popular red and white of the mid 19th century - is combined with skilled applique needlework to create a striking visual statement. The names included on the quilt appear to be mostly Middlesex County residents, particularly Roseanna's own family - her husband, James Taylor; son James Taylor Jr.; and daughters Cornelia and Margaret. Normally, quilts including signatures were often friendship quilts, fundraising items for churches or societies, or other specific uses. It is unknown why Roseanna produced this Oak Leaf and Reel quilt.NotesThis quilt was donated in 1948 by Freehold resident Mrs. Frederic S. Voorhees, who noted that the quilt was made by her grandmother, Roseanna Van Duesen Taylor. Roseanna (her name often appears spelled Rosanna) Van Deusen was born in 1811 in South Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey. She married Middlesex County farmer James Taylor (1808-1880) in 1830. The couple had nine children, including Rebecca (1835), William (1836), James E. (1838-1923), Margaret A. (1839), Cornelia (1843-1870), Robert (1846), Catherine "Katie" (1848-1934), Mary E. (1849), and Rosanna "Rose" (1851). Rosanna Van Duesen Taylor died at the age of 74 in Matchaponix, Middlesex County, on April 15, 1884.
Collections
ProvenanceRosanna Van Deusen Taylor (1811-1884) to her daughter Catherine Taylor Erving (1848-1934) to her daughter Augusta Erving Voorhees (1877-1962)