Quilt, Alphabet

Date1877

MediumCottons

Dimensions76 inches H X 64 inches W

Credit LineGift of The Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA

Object number2024.609.7

DescriptionRectangular quilt made of 30 squares, each centered with a letter of the alphabet from A to Z and the last four squares with the numbers 1877. The alphabet and date are made of Turkey red cotton, machine appliqued to white cotton ground. The white portions of the alphabet and date squares are filled with various white-on-white stuffed work motifs, including sprigs of flowers and leaves, grapes, Masonic emblems such as stars, crescent moon and compass, and mottos "To the [motif in the shape of a cross] I cling" and No [cross shape] No [crown shape]". The stuffed work quilting does not go through to the present backing. The sashing and outer border consist of greenish-blue triangles alternating with white pieced triangles. The quilt is stitched with running stitches around the appliqued and pieced motifs through to a white cotton backing. The edges are bound with off-white cotton bias binding. The backing and bias binding may be later additions.

The quilt has some mended areas, stains, and discoloration.Label TextAccording to family history, this bold "ABC" quilt is the work of Matilda Ella Simms Smith of Madison County, Virginia. She had married Francis Percival Smith, Sr in 1874 and had her first child in 1875. Matilda finished the quilt in 1877, when her daughter was about two years old, leaving us to wonder if Matilda made the quilt for the nursery.Provenance1877, Matilda Ella Simms (Mrs. Francis) Smith [1854-1927] (Madison County, VA); dates unknown to 1987, Mr. William P. Banks; 1987, gift to Valentine Museum, (Richmond, VA); 2024, gift to Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, (Williamsburg, VA).