1825 - 1835 Betsy Totten's "Rising Sun" Quilt
1825 - 1835 Betsy Totten's "Rising Sun" Quilt
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- Description
- While the precise name of an individual’s quilt pattern was seldom recorded in the nineteenth century, Mary Totten left no doubt about the name she gave this quilt or its importance to her when she prepared her will, circa 1860. “First, after all my lawful debts are paid and discharged, I give and bequeath to Rachel Mary Drake, daughter of William Drake, deceased, my large spread called the Rising Sun.” (Florence Peto in her book Historic Quilts ). More than 75 years later, the “Rising Sun” quilt was brought to the Smithsonian in 1938 by the donor, Marvel Matthes. She had been presented with this magnificent quilt by her godmother, Ellen Totten Butler.
- The “Rising Sun” (also referred to at times as "Star of Bethlehem") pieced pattern in the center of the quilt is an eight-pointed star measuring 76 inches across. It contains 648 diamond-shaped pieces made of eleven different roller-printed cottons arranged concentrically by color. Appliquéd between the points of the star are elaborate vases of flowers and birds, combining floral glazed chintzes with some of the same fabrics used in the star. A matching floral vine runs around the four sides of the quilt between a swag-and-bow border on the inside, and a chain along the outer edge. The appliquéd flower stems, vine, swags, bows, and chain are only 3/32-inch wide. The star and border appliqué are outline-quilted, with additional small floral motif quilting in the open spaces in the border. The initials “B T” (unclear) are embroidered in red silk cross-stitch next to one of the corner vases.
- Mary Totten, daughter of Gilbert Totten (1740-1819) and Mary Butler (1739-1832), was born in 1781 in Staten Island, New York. Mary was one of eight siblings. In the late eighteenth century, members of the Totten family bought land in the Staten Island area. About 1840 the area purchased by Gilbert, Mary’s father, became known as Tottenville. The economy revolved around oyster fishing, shipbuilding and repair, and farming. Mary married late in life, in her forties, first to Rev. Joseph Polhemus (1762-1827), and, after his death, to Matthew Williams (1780-1836). Mary had no children of her own and her “Rising Sun” quilt was willed to her grandniece when she died in 1861.
- At the time of donation, 1938, the "Rising Sun" quilt was noted as made by Mary Betsy Totten or in another note Betsy Totten. In subsequent references either Mary Totten, Mary (Betsy) Totten, or Betsy Totten have been ascribed as the maker of the quilt. Mary did have a sister Elizabeth Totten Cole (1772 - 1860).
- Mary "Betsy" Totten's “Rising Sun”quilt is an important example of design and workmanship in the Collection. The fabrics chosen to create this quilt were reproduced in the late twentieth century for the inspiration of contemporary quilters. Other Totten family quilts are in the collections of the Staten Island Historical Society, and another in Cooperstown, New York.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- quilt
- date made
- 1825-1835
- maker
- Totten, Mary Betsy
- place made
- United States: New York, Staten Island
- Physical Description
- fabric, cotton (overall material)
- thread, cotton, silk (overall material)
- filling, cotton (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 94 in x 96 in; 239 cm x 244 cm
- ID Number
- TE.T08153
- accession number
- 147358
- catalog number
- T08153
- Credit Line
- Gift of Mrs. Marvel Mildred Matthes
- subject
- Quilting
- See more items in
- Home and Community Life: Textiles
- Textiles
- Domestic Furnishings
- Quilts
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Comments
"I have the following information on the birth date of Mary Totten;Bible in possesion of Mrs. Paul Fulton, 6867 Amboy Road, Richmond Valley, Staten Island, N.Y.Bible dated 1808, Published by Mathew Casey, 122 Market St. Philadelphia, Pa.Bible inscribed on fly leaf, "Miss Mary Totten, dated November 15, 1808. Gift of her father, Mr. Gilbert Totten, native of Westfield County, Staten Island, State of New York. Price Four Dollars 40 centsGilbert Totten and Mary Butler married 24 Jan 1769James Polemus and Mary Totten married 15 Nov 1821Gilbert Totten b. 13 Dec 1741, d. 31 Dec 1829 aged 78 years 18 daysMary Butler b. 20 Dec 1739, d. 14 Nov 1832 aged 92 years 10 mo 4 dasJames Polemus b. 20 Jun 1762Mary Totten b. 18 Jul 1781Mathew Williams d. 4 Mar 1836Henry Williams d. 25 Mar 1842 aged 32 yrs 7 mo 6 das."
Gary Totten
Wed, 2016-07-27 22:46
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Linda Cutler Hauck
Tue, 2021-01-12 09:05