QUILT INDEX RECORD

23-19-283

Where are the records for this quilt housed?

University of Rhode Island

Who documented this quilt?

Rhode Island Quilt Documentation Project; Rhode Island Historical Society Collection

Rhode Island Quilt Documentation Project Number:

508

Alternate inventory control number:

RIHS 1982.76.2

Person filling out this form is:

Quilt owner; Quilt collector

When was the form filled out?

04/05/1993

Choose the best description of the source to the quilt:

Quilt collector; Quilt owner

If you are the quilt owner, how did you acquire this quilt?

Other

This is a:

Quilted garment

Quilt's title:

Susannah Gorton's Quilted Petticoat

How long is the quilt?

39 3/4 inches

Shape of edge:

Straight

What color is the quilt?

Brown

Overall color scheme:

One color/monochromatic

Quilt's condition:

Good/moderate use

Damage:

Stains; Tears or holes

Type of inscription:

Initials

What is inscribed on the quilt?

"(G or C)SE"

Method used to make the inscription:

Embroidery

Location of inscription:

on back

Time period:

Pre-1799

Family/owner's date for quilt:

1770

Date estimated by an antique dealer, quilt historian or appraiser:

ca. 1730-1830

Further information concerning dates:

Orlofsky, Patsy, and Myron Orlofsky. Quilts in America. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1974; 206.

Describe the quilt's layout:

Wholecloth

What is the shape of the quilt blocks?

None

Fiber types used to make the quilt top:

Wool

Fabric types used to make the quilt top:

Glazed

Fabric styles used in the quilt top:

Solid/plain

Describe the fibers or fabrics in the quilt top:

Calamanco

Piecing techniques used to make the quilt top:

Hand Piecing

Can you feel or see paper on the quilt that was used as a construction aid?

no

Materials used to make the back:

Wool

What color is the back of the quilt?

Brown

Describe the back:

Hand sewn

Materials used in the quilt binding:

Wool

Fabric structure of the binding:

Plain weave

Describe the binding:

Braid

How is the binding made?

Hand sewn; Straight grain

What kind of filling is used in the quilt?

Wool

How thick is the quilt?

Medium (3/16?)

How are the layers held together?

Hand quilting

Color of thread used in the quilting:

Brown

Number of quilting stitches per inch, place 1:

8 per inch

Can you see any knots on the front or back of the quilt?

no

Quilting designs used, overall motifs:

Grid diamond

Quilting designs used, decorative motifs:

Feathering; Floral; Vines; Other

Describe the quilting designs used:

Lions, trees, birds, and pineapples.

Quilt top made by:

Gorton, Susanna E.

Quilted by:

Gorton, Susanna E.

Where the quilt was made, city:

Warwick

Where the quilt was made, state:

Rhode Island (RI)

Where the quilt was made, country:

United States

How was this quilt acquired?

Other

Tell the story of how the quilt was obtained:

Donated to the Rhode Island Historical Society in 1982 by Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Allen.

Describe anything about the history of the quilt that wasn't already recorded in a previous field:

Mrs. Allen was a descendant of the Gorton family.

Why was the quilt made?

Other

Details about why the quilt was made:

To wear

The quilt was made to be used for:

Other

Was the quilt used for something other than what it is used for now?

Petticoat

Quilt is presently used as:

Museum collection

Where did the maker get their materials?

Unknown

Where did the maker find their pattern?

Public domain/traditional pattern

Where did the quiltmaker find the pattern for the quilting design on the quilt?

Unknown

Exhibitions where this quilt was displayed:

"Powderhorns to Portraits," Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence, RI, 1984; "Through Attic Windows," Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence, RI, 1989.

Ownership of this quilt is:

Public Museum, Library or Institution

Quilt owner's name:

Rhode Island Historical Society

Quilt owner's city:

Providence

Quilt owner's state:

Rhode Island (RI)

Quilt owner's country:

United States

Quiltmaker's maiden name:

Gorton

Quiltmaker's gender:

Female

Quiltmaker's birth date:

1694

Quiltmaker's birthplace, city:

Warwick

Quiltmaker's birthplace, state:

Rhode Island

Quiltmaker's birthplace, country:

United States

Quiltmaker's marriage date(s):

before 1717

Quiltmaker's ethnic background/tribal affiliation:

English

Number of children:

1

How many of the quiltmaker's children were girls?

1

Who photographed this quilt?

RIQDP

Access and copyright information:

Restricted

Copyright holder:

Linda Welters