QUILT INDEX RECORD
2-33-53
Where are the records for this quilt housed?
Signature Quilt Pilot Project
Who documented this quilt?
Signature Quilt Project Public Submission
This is a:
Finished quilt
Quilt's title:
Grafton, MA Signature Quilt 1844
Names for quilt's pattern in common use:
Album Block
How wide is the quilt?
86"
How long is the quilt?
97"
Describe the damage:
There are holes that appear in the corners that appear to have been threads that were used for tying the quilt rather than quilting it.
Type of inscription:
Multiple Names
What is inscribed on the quilt?
Many of the people on this quilt were located on an internet search for census records and marriage records. Reading left to right - top row down 1) Emily H. Wilson, Grafton 184? 2) Anna.E.Hunt. Grafton Mass 3) Elma Mason aged 13 Grafton Mass 1845 Row #2 4) Sally C Knowlton Grafton Mass Jan the 29 1846 Stand in awe and sin not Amelia 5) Grafton Jan the 19 1845 May God's blesings attend you Amelia In all of your undertakings Mary > Dispeau 6) Worship god and keep his command ments and thou will do well and wil have laid up treasures above Sameul Dispeau 7) Grafton Sept 6th 18?? I hope this square on hier I do make Will soon cover Amelia in the marriage state R. M. Rotherbeu (?) Row #3 8) Susan M. Carroll Grafton Mass Jan the 29,1846 A friend loveth at all times 9) (Wax seal used - upside down) George L. Hubbard Grafton Mass ??? (month) 1844 In the center --- when this you c Remember me. Aged 20.years or 26.years 10) (Stencil used) Cornelia B. Hubbard Aged 21 1844 Grafton Mass A gift from a friend Tree underneath - part of stamp 11)P. Elliot Row #4 12) C.S.Elliot 13) May this square sum day or other Cover a kind Affectionate Mother J.D.Dispeau 14) Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth Jan the 20,1845 Samuel Dispeau Aged 45 this day 15) J.Elliot Row #5 16) Julia K.Davis of Oxford Mass Feb 15 1845
Method used to make the inscription:
Stencil
Location of inscription:
on block
Time period:
Timespan
When was the quilt started?
1845
Describe the quilt's layout:
Block pattern
Number of quilt blocks:
15
Fiber types used to make the quilt top:
Cotton
Describe the fibers or fabrics in the quilt top:
The center signature blocks are all white cotton. The 1840's fabrics are cotton calicos, stripes, plaids, ginghams. The post-Civil War fabrics are shirting and dress fabric of cotton. The red floral calico set between the blocks is a tiny register flower with white, dark green and light green in the flowers.
Piecing techniques used to make the quilt top:
Hand Piecing
Features or notes about the quilt's appearance, materials, or construction:
This is an "Album Block" quilt top with 15 signed blocks. These blocks have been re-set using 20th Century red calico fabric. The quilt appears to be a marriage quilt for Amelia Dispeau of Grafton, MA with dates ranging from 1844-45. Owner notes: This quilt appears to have begun in 1844 and was finished the first time in 1845. The blocks along the sides and one in the upper left -- next to the corner, appear to be post-Civil War fabrics. The red calico blocks that are inside of the diagonally set Album Blocks appears to be 20th Century. There are holes that appear in the corners that appear to have been threads that were used for tying the quilt rather than quilting it.
Where the quilt was made, city:
Grafton
Where the quilt was made, state:
Massachusetts (MA)
Where the quilt was made, country:
United States
How was this quilt acquired?
Purchase
Tell the story of how the quilt was obtained:
This quilt top was purchased from an antique dealer in Sturbridge, MA at an "antique textiles show" around 1995 at the Sturbridge Convention Center.
Why was the quilt made?
Wedding
Ownership of this quilt is:
Private
Quilt owner's name:
Lynn Lancaster Gorges
Quilt owner's city:
New Bern
Quilt owner's state:
North Carolina (NC)
Quilt owner's country:
United States
Access and copyright information:
Restricted
Copyright holder:
Lynn Lancaster Gorges
Cite this Quilt
Grafton, MA Signature Quilt 1844. Timespan. From Signature Quilt Pilot Project, Signature Quilt Project Public Submission. Published in The Quilt Index, https://quiltindex.org/view/?type=fullrec&kid=2-33-53. Accessed: 03/29/24
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