1840 - 1860 Catherine Byer's Pieced and Appliqued Quilt

Description:

A stamped inscription of leaves and a bird frame the names: “Eby Byers & Catherine Byers” and the place, “Chambersburg.” Below Chambersburg is noted "1837," in a penned ink inscription ---possibly a later addition? Did Catherine make this quilt?

Catherine Byers, born in 1805, was the daughter of Frederick Byers and Anna Eby of Pennsylvania. Catherine married James Crawford (1799-1872) in 1826. They raised their children and lived on the family homestead in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Catherine died in 1892. Both came from families who were early settlers of Pennsylvania, some of whom had fought in the Revolutionary War.

Thirty-six pieced blocks, each with a center square of dark blue printed cotton and three appliquéd leaves at each corner create a unique pattern. The central focus is the 9 ¾-inch-block with the inked drawing and inscription. The quilt is framed by a 6-inch border and is quilted at 10 stitches per inch. As no information was included with the quilt, it is difficult to know who made the quilt and the significance of the date.

Date Made: 1840-1860

Maker: Byers, Catherine

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States: Pennsylvania, Chambersburg

Subject: Quilting

Subject:

See more items in: Home and Community Life: Textiles, Textiles, Domestic Furnishings, Quilts

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Gift of Dr. Grace Fox

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1980.0253.01Catalog Number: 1980.0253.01Accession Number: 1980.0253

Object Name: quilt

Physical Description: fabric, cotton (overall material)thread, cotton (overall material)filling, cotton (overall material)Measurements: overall: 95 in x 93 in; 240 cm x 236 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a3-ce53-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_556172

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