Quilt

Dateca. 1835 using some earlier textiles

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Nottoway County and Roanoke County

MediumCottons

Dimensions112 1/2 inches X 102 1/2 inches
Selvage width of face textile 31 1/2 inches; backing fabric 32 3/4 inches wide

Credit LineGift of The Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA

Object number2024.609.2

DescriptionLarge rectangular quilt of white cotton with multicolor appliqued motifs with reds, blues, and browns predominating. At the center is a large bird, probably a peahen, perched on a gnarled branch sprouting smaller branches of various flowers. The bird is surrounded by isolated appliqued floral sprigs and bouquets. A 5 1/4-inch wide band of striped floral printed cotton forms a border all four sides. Narrow cotton binding on the straight grain finishes the edges.The quilt is stitched with seven to nine running stitches per inch in an all-over double-line diamond grid through to white cotton backing.Label TextFamily history states that this quilt was begun in 1815 by Mrs. James McClannahan of Roanoke, Virginia, and finished by her daughter, Mrs. T. W. Sydnor of Nottoway County, Virginia, about 1835. The women apparently used earlier textiles to embellish their quilt, as the distinctive bird perched on a branch in the center can be traced to a British printed cotton dating 1775 to 1780.Inscription(s)Ink stamp on back: "Blanche [W?] Sydnor"Mark(s)Inked label stitched to back "65.102" (Valentine Museum accession number)ProvenanceBefore about 1815, Elizabeth Walton [1789-1853] married to Col. James McClannahan [1777-1860] (Roanoke, VA); about 1835, their daughter Blanche Walton McClannahan [1816-1897], married to Dr. Thomas White Sydnor [1816-1890], (Roanoke and Nottoway, VA); possibly to their daughter Blanche Ropa Sydnor [1854-1923], married to William Pleasant Robinson [1843-1924]; unknown line of descent in family to Mrs. Adelaide G. Robinson; 1965, gift to the Valentine Museum (Richmond, VA); 2024, gift to Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)