Textiles

Coverlet

The 50,000 objects in the textile collections fall into two main categories: raw fibers, yarns, and fabrics, and machines, tools, and other textile technology. Shawls, coverlets, samplers, laces, linens, synthetics, and other fabrics are part of the first group, along with the 400 quilts in the National Quilt Collection. Some of the Museum's most popular artifacts, such as the Star-Spangled Banner and the gowns of the first ladies, have an obvious textile connection.

The machinery and tools include spinning wheels, sewing machines, thimbles, needlework tools, looms, and an invention that changed the course of American agriculture and society. A model of Eli Whitney's cotton gin, made by the inventor in the early 1800s, shows the workings of a machine that helped make cotton plantations profitable in the South and encouraged the spread of slavery.

Head Dresses

ID Number
CS.228001.1608
catalog number
228001.1608

fashion plate

ID Number
CS.228001.1596
catalog number
228001.1596

fashion plate

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1861
bequest of
James, Catalina Juliana Mason Myers
ID Number
CS.033675.030
catalog number
033675.030
accession number
70138

Costumes de Ville et de Chasse

ID Number
CS.228001.1599
catalog number
228001.1599

fashion plate

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1860
1860-10-00
bequest of
James, Catalina Juliana Mason Myers
ID Number
CS.033675.001
catalog number
033675.001
accession number
70138

fashion plate

ID Number
CS.033675.200
catalog number
033675.200

Head Dresses

ID Number
CS.228001.1606
catalog number
228001.1606

Panel of a German (?) beiderwand weaving

Figured beiderwand panel, natural off-white linen and green wool. Repeating pattern of human figures, buildings, and trees. Possibly Christian meaning.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Figured beiderwand panel, natural off-white linen and green wool. Repeating pattern of human figures, buildings, and trees. Possibly Christian meaning.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
TE.T17142
catalog number
T17142.000
accession number
310730

William Lunn; jacquard, double-cloth coverlet; 1830-1840; Ohio

This Jacquard double-cloth coverlet was donated as "a pair of drapes." Colonial Revival décor favored antique coverlet portieres. It is thought to have been woven in Ohio in the 1830s and is inscribed with the initials "J.W." in each corner.
Description
This Jacquard double-cloth coverlet was donated as "a pair of drapes." Colonial Revival décor favored antique coverlet portieres. It is thought to have been woven in Ohio in the 1830s and is inscribed with the initials "J.W." in each corner. Each of the two sections of the coverlet is 88 inches long, and 36 inches wide. The structure is composed of two sets of warps and wefts made up of 3-ply, S-twist, Z-spun white cotton and 2-ply, S-twist, Z-spun madder red and indigo-dyed wool. The centerfield pattern consists of meandering floral straight repeat, creating columns of flowers that change direction at the center due to the coverlet’s two-panel construction. The weaver’s masterful understanding of color led him to change colors both the warp and weft allowing flowers to change color and utilizing half-tones when necessary. A running flower and leaf border frames the entire coverlet with the initials interwoven at the corners in lieu of a traditional corner block.
Jane Caughey (1795-1874), the donor's great grandmother, passed the coverlet down through the generations. Jane and her husband, William (b. 1781) were both born and married in Pennsylvania but lived most of their lives in New Concord, Muskingum County, Ohio. Jane and William’s first child, Rebecca Caughey Martin, was born in Pennsylvania in 1821. The first child born in Ohio, William, was born in 1832.
This coverlet was woven using a Jacquard head, which wasn't readily available in the US until after 1820. These looms and the Figured and Fancy coverlets woven on them were almost always operated by male, professional weavers. The donor's claim that her great-grandmother wove this coverlet is almost certainly false, but the claim that she raised the sheep and prepared the wool used to make it are likely accurate. Coverlet weavers often advertised that they were taking orders and would provide the cotton yarns needed and any dying, if the customer supplied the spun wool yarns.
This coverlet was probably woven by an Irish-born weaver named William Lunn (c. 1787-c. 1855). William and his wife Hannah immigrated to Pennsylvania sometime before 1820, as their son George was born in Pennsylvania in 1825-26. He first appears in Muskingum County, Ohio in the 1840 census, and both he and his son are listed as weavers in the 1850 census. William dies sometime in the 1850s, and his wife Hannah appears living with her son George who is recorded as a farmer in the 1860 Federal Census. The choice of both centerfield and border floral designs match those that appear on signed Lunn coverlets and the time frame and geography also lineup, suggesting that William Lunn wove this coverlet in the 1830s-1840s.
The appearance of the "JW" initials found in the corners of the coverlet are a mystery. There is no one in that belongs to or marries into the Caughey family with initials that match. It is possible that Jane and William Caughey purchased this coverlet at a public vendue or bought a readymade coverlet for which another client had failed to pay. The association with Lunn makes this the only the eighth attributed William Lunn coverlet.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
1820-1840
1830-1840
ID Number
TE.T13519
catalog number
T13519.000
accession number
254763

Muir Family; Figured and Fancy, double-cloth coverlet; 1847; Indiana

This Muir Family Figured and Fancy double-cloth coverlet has a geometric, stylized-floral carpet medallion centerfield with floral borders and a dated Muir Family cornerblock trademark in the lower two corners.
Description
This Muir Family Figured and Fancy double-cloth coverlet has a geometric, stylized-floral carpet medallion centerfield with floral borders and a dated Muir Family cornerblock trademark in the lower two corners. Two sets of blue and white wool and cotton warp and weft were used to create this coverlet, and there is a self-fringe along the lower edge. The upper edge of the coverlet is worn as is often the case with use. The dark blue yarns are wool singles, and the white yarns are 2-ply, S-twist, Z-spun natural cotton.
This coverlet was made by one of the four Muir brothers who emigrated from Kilmarnock, Scotland between the years 1835-41. They were the sons of Scottish weaver, Thomas Muir and were active weavers from 1840-1864, settling first in Germantown, Wayne County, Indiana then dispersing across the state and later into Missouri as was the case with Robert Muir (b. 1808). Robert sold the farm in Germantown and moved to Liberty Twp., Delaware Co., IN. and was active 1840-1864. While in Liberty Township, Robert had invested in the Cincinnati, New Castle, Michigan Railroad. In 1853, he was able to sell his stocks in the railroad along with the farm and relocate to Missouri to live near the family of his brother-in-law, another Kilmarnock-born Indiana weaver, Joseph Gilmour.
Thomas Muir (1810-1888) lived in Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana and was also active from 1840-1864. Thomas’ life is a bit of a mystery. There is little documentary evidence of his life in this country, but he and his brother William fought for the Union during the Civil War. John Muir (1815-1892) is the best documented of the weaving brothers. After making it to Indiana with his first wife and four children, the family lived with his brother, Robert. John moved to Greencastle, Putnam County, Indiana in 1843. His weaving shop was located on the North side of the town square. In 1855, he and his brother William invested in land speculation in the town of Fillmore, Indiana, convinced it was going to become the next railroad boomtown. John’s last move was to Jackson Township, Parke County, Indiana where he passed away in 1888.
William Muir (1818-1888), the youngest of the brothers was trained as a drawboy and silk and paisley shawl weaver in Scotland, immigrating to the US in 1840 where he first lived in Germantown, Wayne Co., Indiana and was active from 1840-1864. In 1842, William left the partnership with his brother, John and moved to Indianapolis where he operated a three-loom workshop and employed two Irish weavers, Jonathan Wilson and Robert Shaw as journeymen. William’s business grew with the new city and by 1858, he sold railroad stock and his holdings in Indianapolis, purchased a 340-acre farm Clay County, Indiana, and essentially retired from full-time weaving.
The fact that the brothers were all active at the same time and likely shared or had copies of the same patterns and used the same signature trademark cornerblock, makes it hard if not impossible to associate this coverlet with any single brother. The Henry Ford Museum has another coverlet by the Muir Family in the exact same pattern suggesting that rather than a bespoke piece commissioned by an individual, this pattern was produced on spec and either marketed by the brothers themselves or sold through a dealer. If like the Craig family of Indiana, the Muirs were also using a modified drawloom rather than a Jacquard pattern mechanism to produce their coverlets, the tie-ups, treadling, and weaving would have been repeated from memory. The fact that William was trained as a drawboy would suggest that the family was engaged in drawloom weaving.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1847
ID Number
TE.T12680
catalog number
T12680.000
accession number
237217

Samuel Hippert; coverlet, Jacquard, tied-Beiderwand; 1837; Pennsylvania

Samuel Hippert wove this Jacquard, tied-Beiderwand coverlet which features a carpet medallion center field in a stylized “Double Iris” pattern.
Description
Samuel Hippert wove this Jacquard, tied-Beiderwand coverlet which features a carpet medallion center field in a stylized “Double Iris” pattern. The bottom and side borders feature pairs of addorsed roosters and garland inner border, inscribed mid-border featuring the weaver’s initials and the word patent, and double flower outer border. The inscribed cornerblocks contain the initials S.H., the location, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, and the date, 1837. The use of the term patent in the border indicates that Hippert was weaving on an improved loom with a registered patent. It is possible that Hippert was weaving with the improved carpet and coverlet loom patented by fellow coverlet weavers and industrial machinists, Jonathan Conger and George Deterich. Conger and Deterich registered their patent in 1831. Structurally, the coverlet is 2:1 tied-Beiderwand, an integrated weave structure where evenly spaced warp yarns are dedicated to binding or tying two separate weave structures together on alternating sides of the fabric. This alternation creates a ribbed effect on the surface of the textile that makes this structure easy to identify. The weaver used rose, dark blue, white and green 2-ply , S-twist, Z-spun wool, and Z-spun white cotton singles for the weft or filling and light blue Z-spun singles for the tying warp and 2-ply, S-twist, Z-spun cotton for the remainder of the warp yarns. The coverlet was woven in two lengthwise panels and may have been originally been longer. There is significant damage and loss across the top half of the coverlet likely due to insects and storage issues. It is possible it was re-hemmed sometime in its past and that some of the length on the top half was removed. At one time there was a self-fringe on each side and an applied fringe on the lower edge. There is still traces of these fringes remaining.
Samuel Hippert (Hippard) (1808-1886) was the weaver. According to Clarita Anderson and John Heisey, Hippert was active in Mt. Joy and Elizabethtown, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania into the 1840s. Samuel and his wife, Mary’s youngest child, George was born in Pennsylvania in 1847. The family must have already been planning a move, because the 1850 Federal Census lists Samuel and his family living in Somers, Preble County, Ohio. He is recorded as working as a wool manufacturer. History of Preble County, Ohio (1881) by H.Z. Williams and Brothers further explained that Hippert opened a woolen mill and carding factory 1848 and eventually bought and operated another nearby woolen factory producing roving, yarn, finished cloth, and blankets from 1854-1860. These blankets presumably being coverlets although Hippert’s signed coverlets all come from his time in Lancaster County. The 1860 Federal Census recorded Samuel and his family living in Cass County, Indiana where he is identified as a wool carder. After that census, Samuel disappears from the record. His wife, Mary, age fifty-six and his son, George, age twenty-three are listed as living in Ward Three, Indianapolis, Indiana in the 1870 Federal Census. George was a clerk at a bookstore, and Mary kept house. What became of Samuel during that decade has thus far remained a mystery. In 1880, George is living in New York City. Samuel apparently returned to Pennsylvania where he died in Harrisburg in 1886. He is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1837
weaver
Hippert, Samuel
ID Number
TE.E259592
catalog number
E259592.000
accession number
051534

"Double Bowknot" coverlet; overshot; 19th century

The weaver of this overshot, “Double Bowknot” or “Big Leaf” pattern is unknown, but she was a master weaver.
Description
The weaver of this overshot, “Double Bowknot” or “Big Leaf” pattern is unknown, but she was a master weaver. Using olive green and pokeberry dyed Z-spun wool singles and white 2-ply, S-twist, Z-spun cotton, she was able to use the different colored supplementary pattern weft to create a vibrant two-panel coverlet. The coverlet measures 99 inches by 80 inches, and has self-fringe on three sides. This coverlet is in excellent overall condition. The “Double Bowknot” pattern, as with all coverlet patterns, has many names that very based on location and time. This pattern is also known as “Muscadine Hulls” in the Southern United States.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
19th century
ID Number
TE.T13000
catalog number
T13000.000
accession number
249079

attr. Henry Oberly; coverlet; Figured and Fancy, tied-Beiderwand; c. 1835-1840; poss. Pennsylvania

Henry Oberly (1805-1874) likely wove this blue and red, Figured and Fancy, tied-Beiderwand coverlet for Anna Nancy King Zook (1784-1840) in Berks County, Pennsylvania sometime between 1835 and 1840.
Description
Henry Oberly (1805-1874) likely wove this blue and red, Figured and Fancy, tied-Beiderwand coverlet for Anna Nancy King Zook (1784-1840) in Berks County, Pennsylvania sometime between 1835 and 1840. The coverlet features a “Double Rose” carpet medallion centerfield where the motif is contained in large sunburst designs. There are borders along three sides. The side borders depict large adorsed peacocks on branches, and the bottom border depicts a town scene. Rather than traditional cornerblocks, the weaver has turned the bottom border pattern and included the client’s name, “Anna Zook” along the top. The coverlet was constructed from two panels that were woven as one length, cut, and seamed up the middle. The coverlet measures 94 inches by 80.5 inches. There is fringe on 3 sides of the coverlet. Motifs from this coverlet can also be found on coverlets woven by Henry Oberly (1805-1874), and Jacob Witmer (c.1797 - c.1887) of Lancaster Co. PA. Anna Zook’s location in Berks County as well as Oberly’s use of the same peacock and centerfield motifs, suggest that Oberly is the weaver of the this coverlet.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1840s-1850s
1835-1840
maker
unknown
ID Number
1984.0170.06
accession number
1984.0170
catalog number
1984.0170.06

Elizabeth Carlin (attr.); overshot coverlet; c. 1820-1830; Tennessee

This red, white, and blue overshot coverlet was woven in the “Tennessee Trouble” pattern. The ground warp is a white single Z-spun cotton. The ground weft is single Z-spun cotton. The supplementary pattern weft is single Z-spun wool in blue and red.
Description
This red, white, and blue overshot coverlet was woven in the “Tennessee Trouble” pattern. The ground warp is a white single Z-spun cotton. The ground weft is single Z-spun cotton. The supplementary pattern weft is single Z-spun wool in blue and red. The coverlet is hemmed along the top and bottom. The coverlet was constructed of two panels woven as one length, cut, and seamed together to create the finished width. The seam sewn together with white cotton thread using a back stitch. The hems have been redone as is common with use. This coverlet descended through the donor’s family from Tennessee to California. The donor’s father received the coverlet from his mother, Margaret Ellen Maddux Hogins at her death in 1911. Margaret and her husband, Bailey Peyton Hogin had moved to California in 1871 and brought the coverlet with them from Tennessee. Margaret’s parents were Thomas Maddux and Elizabeth Garrett who moved to Smith County, Tennessee from Virginia in 1833. Family legend holds that this coverlet was woven by Elizabeth Carlin (b. 1797), the mother of Thomas Maddux.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1833-1870
1820-1830
ID Number
1980.0631.01
accession number
1980.0631
catalog number
1980.0631.01

"Patch Pattern" coverlet; overshot; 19th century

This red, white, and blue, overshot coverlet was woven in a “Patch Pattern” variation. The coverlet measures 98 inches by 81 inches and is made up of three panels that were woven as one length, cut, and seamed together to create the finished width.
Description
This red, white, and blue, overshot coverlet was woven in a “Patch Pattern” variation. The coverlet measures 98 inches by 81 inches and is made up of three panels that were woven as one length, cut, and seamed together to create the finished width. The red and indigo wool supplementary pattern weft yarns are 2-ply, S-twist, Z-spun, and the white cotton yarns are 2-ply, S-twist, Z-spun. There are deep borders along all four sides of the coverlet that are created from fractional reductions of the main “Patch Pattern” motif. There is no information about this coverlet’s maker or origins.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
TE.T14680
accession number
279888

One of three fragments of an overshot coverlet, 19th century

One of three Fragments from overshot coverlet in Double Bow Knot pattern; red and navy, dull goldCurrently not on view
Description
One of three Fragments from overshot coverlet in Double Bow Knot pattern; red and navy, dull gold
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
19th century
maker
unknown
ID Number
1980.0372.01
accession number
1980.0372
catalog number
1980.0372.01
accession number
216659

Summer-and-Winter coverlet;geometric c. 1790-1830

This blue and white, Summer-and-Winter coverlet features a block woven, geometric design throughout based on variations of “Snowball” and “Rose and Star” patterns. The coverlet has a “Pine Tree” variation border on three sides.
Description
This blue and white, Summer-and-Winter coverlet features a block woven, geometric design throughout based on variations of “Snowball” and “Rose and Star” patterns. The coverlet has a “Pine Tree” variation border on three sides. The border designs on geometric, block-woven coverlets are created from fractional reductions of the block pattern motifs. This coverlet uses two different block pattern designs. The block pattern repeat measures 5 inches by 5 inches. There is a relatively long, knotted applied fringe on two sides of coverlet. It is believed this fringe was added much later. One edge is unfinished, the other is hand hemmed. The coverlet was woven in two pieces and seamed up the middle with whip stitch. There is no information about who may have made this coverlet or where is originally was used. These patterns and style of coverlet could be found all along the East Coast and were woven by English, German, and Scots-Irish settlers. This coverlet was likely woven anytime between the years, 1790-1830 because of the use of mill-spun cotton yarn in the warp and weft.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
19th century
date made
c. 1790-1830
ID Number
1980.0376.01
accession number
1980.0376
catalog number
1980.0376.01

Coverlet; reverse (herringbone) twill; 19th century; Maryland

This red and white, reverse twill coverlet likely comes from the New Market, Maryland area. The weaver used reverse twill to create a block pattern. The coverlet was constructed from two sections woven as one length, cut, and seamed together.
Description
This red and white, reverse twill coverlet likely comes from the New Market, Maryland area. The weaver used reverse twill to create a block pattern. The coverlet was constructed from two sections woven as one length, cut, and seamed together. The pattern block is formed by the use of herringbone left to right twill as well as a diamond twill square. The pattern repeat measures five and a half inches by five and three-eighths inches. The coverlet is well matched at the seam. There is some loss and the overall condition is fair to poor.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th Century
ID Number
TE.T18025
catalog number
T18025.000
accession number
321786

Geometric Double-Cloth Coverlet; Pennsylvania, 1789

The date 1789 and two letters (no longer readable) are embroidered into this double-woven coverlet in cross-stitch. The pattern features a variation of the "Pine Tree" motif in the border, and repetitive squares and diamonds in the center.
Description
The date 1789 and two letters (no longer readable) are embroidered into this double-woven coverlet in cross-stitch. The pattern features a variation of the "Pine Tree" motif in the border, and repetitive squares and diamonds in the center. Three of the four edges have an applied fringe. The coverlet is believed to have been made by a member of the Brown family of the village of Emilie, Pennsylvania, and received by the donor from his mother's father, Henry C. Brown (1848—-1921). He obtained it from his father, John B. Brown, of Emilie, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The maker of the coverlet is unknown.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1785-1800
ID Number
TE.T7878
catalog number
T07878.000
accession number
142620

Phillip Shum; coverlet, Jacquard, double-cloth; 1860-1876; Pennsylvania

This Jacquard, Biederwand coverlet features a large scalloped central medallion with basket-weave centerfield and eagle, "Washington," inscriptions and portraits in each corner. There are stylized floral borders along the top and sides.
Description
This Jacquard, Biederwand coverlet features a large scalloped central medallion with basket-weave centerfield and eagle, "Washington," inscriptions and portraits in each corner. There are stylized floral borders along the top and sides. Horizontal color banding in fuchsia, teal, peach and yellow wool singles create the pattern, and thick and thin cotton warps and wefts form an integrated ground structure. The design, arrangement of motifs, and color choices likely date this coverlet to 1875-1900, particularly during the time of the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. The synthetic colors, sparse use of wool, design, and commemorative theme lead us to believe this coverlet is an early Colonial Revival coverlet made popular by the 1876 Centennial. The wool is wearing away in places leaving slack in the fine cotton warp threads. There is no center seam and the weaving is extremely even suggesting that this coverlet woven in a mill on a power loom rather than by a craftsperson in a workshop. The Centennial Exposition was an important time in the history of the coverlet. The exhibitions featured pattern books and antique coverlets sparking a revival in both the figured Jacquard coverlets and the older geometric and overshot designs. This exhibition helped inspire both the Colonial Revival trend, which we still live with today and the Craft Revival which breathed new life into American hand-weaving and craft production. This coverlet is in fair condition. There is some wear to the wool yarns, which are very loosely spun and the rolled hems at the top and bottom edges are coming undone. Because this coverlet is both unsigned and undated it makes it almost impossible to assign a manufacturer or precise date.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875-1900
ID Number
TE.T13348
catalog number
T13348.000
accession number
252487

Figured and Fancy coverlet; double-cloth; 1830; New York

The weaver of these Scipio, New York coverlets has yet to be identified.
Description
The weaver of these Scipio, New York coverlets has yet to be identified. This blue and white, Figured and Fancy, double cloth coverlet has a “Double Rose,” carpet medallion centerfield, double-headed “Eagle and Federal Hall” side borders, double-headed “Eagle and Tree” bottom border, and no fringe. The pattern repeat unit is 18.5 inches by 14.25 inches. The border is 7.5 Inches wide on all sides. The coverlet has a center seam which is hand stitched but does not appear to be original because the thread is so white in contrast to the yellowed white yarns in the coverlet It has been hemmed on all four sides. It was a common practice to undo the center seam when washing coverlets. Because of their overall size and the weight of them wet, they were more easily managed in panels. The coverlet has woven inscription in the two bottom corner blocks which read, "Matilda Gray Scipio NY 1830." Being double-cloth, the coverlet was woven from two sets of warps and wefts made up of 3-ply, S-Twist, Z-Spun cotton and wool yarns. Although this coverlet was woven in New York, it was purchased by the donor in the twentieth century in Napa, California, attesting the importance of coverlets as family heirlooms and their association with westward expansion in America. There were many people named Matilda Gray living in New York State in 1830; however, the best candidate for the owner of this coverlet seems to be the Matilda Gray born circa 1809-1812.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1830
ID Number
1982.0459.01
accession number
1982.0459
catalog number
1982.0459.01

coverlet; geometric, double-cloth; c. 1800-1850; likely Pennsylvania

This is a blue and white, plain weave double coverlet executed in geometric block weave pattern. The pattern is most commonly known as “Whig Rose.” There is a "Pine Tree" border along three sides created from a fractional reduction and lengthening of the main pattern.
Description
This is a blue and white, plain weave double coverlet executed in geometric block weave pattern. The pattern is most commonly known as “Whig Rose.” There is a "Pine Tree" border along three sides created from a fractional reduction and lengthening of the main pattern. The weaver used natural colored linen with olive green and indigo (blue) colored wool. The coverlet measures 82 inches by 79 inches. The coverlet is constructed of two panels each 34.5 inches wide. The weaver would have woven both panels as one length, cut that length in half, and sewn the panels together to create the finished width. There is a five inch long woven fringe with a half inch heading applied to the sides of coverlet, and there is a five inch self-fringe along the lower edge. The coverlet was initially purchased in Huntington Valley, Pennsylvania and it is likely that it was woven in Pennsylvania sometime during the first half of the nineteenth century.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1790-1815
late 18th century
early 19th century
1800-1850
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.T18271
catalog number
T18271.000
accession number
1977.0107

Andrew Corick; Jacquard-woven, tied-Biederwand coverlet; 1830-1845; Maryland

Andrew Corick signed this Jacquard, tied-Biederwand coverlet.
Description
Andrew Corick signed this Jacquard, tied-Biederwand coverlet. The centerfield pattern is the “Double Lillies” or “Lillies of France” pattern and the borders are the “Bird and Rosebush” pattern which features traditional Germanic folk motif of the confronted distelfinken (thistle finches). Corrick used horizontal color banding in blue, white, coral and green with self-fringe on three sides. . The woven inscription in the cornerblocks reads, "MIDDLETOWN FREDERICK COUNTY MARYLAND ANDREW CORICK'". The coverlet was woven in two panels each 38 inches wide. This exact coverlet design can be found replicated in Pennsylvania, Maryland (by other weavers), Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia (Western Virginia at the time), and New York. The earliest known coverlet with this pattern was woven in 1830 in New York. The accession file referred to these patterns as "Lillies and Stars" and the border as "Eagle and Rose Tree." The coverlet was handwoven in a 2-end warp rib of 3-ply, S-twist, Z-spun bleached cotton and alternatively with a single end of 3-ply, S-twist, Z-spun indigo-dyed cotton. The coverlet was purchased from Andrew Corrick directly by the donor's ancestors, Jonathan Recher Sottlemyer (1820-1896) and Susan Blickenstaff Stottlemyer (1823-1893). The couple was married in 1842. This is likely the time period when the couple would have acquired the coverlet.
Andrew Corick (Corrick, Coriock) (1791-1863) was a German immigrant who settled in Middletown, Frederick Co., Maryland and began weaving and farming. His coverlets are never dated, but we can speculate that he was active during the 1830s-1840s. The 1850 Maryland Census recorded Andrew Corrick as a 59-year-old farmer with land valued at $4000. The 1860 Federal Census listed Corrick’s occupation as farmer and valued his land holdings at $2000 and his personal property at $900, suggesting his son had taken over the family weaving business and perhaps part of the farm. His son, Joshua Corrick (b. 1820) was also a weaver in Middletown, weaving in a similar style, who signed his work in the cornerblocks.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1840
date made
1840s
1830-1850
1830-1845
weaver
Corick, Andrew
ID Number
TE.T8952
catalog number
T08952.000
accession number
167647

"Pine Blossom;" coverlet; overshot; c. 1855; Alabama

The donor collected this black, red, and white, overshot coverlet in 1908 in Fayetteville, Alabama from an elderly woman who claimed to have prepared the wool and woven it in the mid-1850s.
Description
The donor collected this black, red, and white, overshot coverlet in 1908 in Fayetteville, Alabama from an elderly woman who claimed to have prepared the wool and woven it in the mid-1850s. The pattern is known as “Pine Blossom.” The coverlet measures 98 inches by 90.5 inches and is made of three lengths of fabric, that are seamed together. The red dye used in the coverlet is likely pokeberry.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
Mid-1850s?
date made
c. 1855
ID Number
TE.T8432
catalog number
T08432.000
accession number
157596

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