QUILT INDEX RECORD

5-2-288

Where are the records for this quilt housed?

Illinois State Museum

Who documented this quilt?

Illinois Quilt Research Project; Illinois State Museum Collection

Illinois Quilt Research Project Registry Number:

SP718

Alternate inventory control number:

1966.33 (746662)

Person filling out this form is:

Relative of quiltmaker

Ownership of this quilt is:

Public Museum, Library or Institution

Quilt owner's name:

Illinois State Museum

Quiltmaker's Name (top):

Miller, Elizabeth Snell

Quiltmaker's country:

United States

What is the quiltmaker's birthdate?

1800

Date and place of quiltmaker's death:

after 1880--in 1880 census

Was the quiltmaker married? If yes, when?

1823

Quiltmaker's spouse's name:

Miller, Nicholas

Spouse's occupation:

farmer

Quiltmaker's mother's birthplace:

NY

Quiltmaker's father's birthplace:

NY

If you are a relative of the quiltmaker, how are you related? The quiltmaker is my:

Grandmother

How did the owner get the quilt?

Gift

How did the quiltmaker participate in the creation of the quilt?

Made entire quilt

Where the quilt was made, city:

Aurora

Where the quilt was made, county:

Kane

Where the quilt was made, state:

Illinois (IL)

Where the quilt was made, country:

United States

Anything else we should know about this quilt? (i.e. customs, stories):

Public records confirm that Betsy was in Aurora before 1845, when her father's will was probated. And lived there all her life.

Date owner signed the form:

1966

Pattern name; used by owner or by maker:

Log Cabin--Courthouse Steps

Date shown on quilt:

1864

How was the inscription marked?

Attached label

Date provided by maker/owner:

1864

Date estimated by IQRP:

ca. 1864

Who estimated the quilt's date?

Jan Wass, Curator

Time period:

1850-1875

Length:

79

Width:

69

Block size:

10" x 10"

Format:

Finished quilt

Piecing techinques used to make the quilt top:

Machine Piecing; Foundation Piecing

Construction (top):

Block pattern

Block style (top):

Same block throughout

Arrangement of quilt blocks:

Straight

Number of full blocks; pieced, appliqued, and plain:

56

Number of different block patterns used in the quilt:

1

Fabric; fibers:

Cotton; Wool

Fabric print:

Paisley; Solid/plain; Floral

Describe the fibers or fabrics in the quilt top:

drapery fabric?

Predominant colors (top):

Rust; Black; Cream

Overall color scheme:

Two color

How are the layers held together?

Not quilted

Spacing of quilt blocks:

Side by side

Describe the borders:

No border.

Binding and edge treatment:

Straight grain

Materials used in the quilt binding:

Cotton

Fabric structure of the binding:

Plain weave

What is the width of the binding (measure on the top only)?

half inch - one inch

Shape of edge:

Straight

Shape of corners:

Straight

Filler:

No filling

How many pieces of fabric were used to make the quilt back?

4

Backing; fiber content:

Cotton

Backing; fabric:

Different fabrics; Print

Backing; width of pieces (in inches):

20", 24", 24", 4"

Backing; color:

Red

Condition:

Very good/almost new

Describe specific damage to the quilt:

Disintegration of fabric

Inscription:

Date; Message

What is inscribed on the quilt?

This quilt made in 1864/ by Betsy Snell Miller./ Early Pioneer 1841/ owned by H.J. Goodale/grandson/ Aurora, Ill.

Inscription: front/back?

on back

Access and copyright information:

Restricted

Copyright holder:

Illinois State Museum

Quiltmaker's maiden name:

Snell, Elizabeth

The quilt was made to be used for:

Bedding, daily use