Quilt, Pieced Framed Center Medallion
Dateca. 1840
Possibly by
Mary Sophia Post Humphreys
1821 - 1885
Possibly by
Sophia Van Gieson Gould
1763 - 1858
MediumPlain and printed cottons
DimensionsOH: 80" x OW: 93 1/2" (203.2 x 237.5cm)
Credit LineGift of Robert A. Humphreys
Object number2015.609.11
DescriptionThis is a large pieced quilt constructed in a framed center medallion format. The center square design consists of six 8-pointed stars alternating with blocks of a brown small floral print. Four concentric borders of a floral print with 8-pointed stars in corners alternate with borders of flying geese. The quilt is backed in a plain cream-colored cotton and the edges are finished in a 1/2" folded blue and white tape. It is quilted in 5-7 running stitches per inch in parallel lines.Label TextArt of the Quilter:Reuse of names over multiple generations of one New Jersey family has made it difficult to identify this quilt's maker. In a note sewn to the quilt, William F. Humphreys named his great-great grandmother, "Mary Sophia Gould," as the maker. He added that she made the quilt from her wedding dress when she was over 80 years old.
Humphreys' note could refer to Sophia Van Gieson. She was born in Essex County in 1763 and married John Gould in 1789. She died at the notable age of 95. However, other Humphreys descendents have tied the quilt to Mary Sophia Post, Van Gieson's granddaughter. Perhaps both women worked on the quilt together in the 1840s at Van Gieson's farm outside of Paterson.Inscription(s)An formerly attached placard reads, "This Quilt was made by/ MARY SOPHIA GOULD/ when She was passed 80 year of age/ (About 200 years ago.)/ The Floral Strips was her Wedding Dress/ "Calico that cost $1.00 a yard."/ She died at the age of 95 years./ was my Great Great Grand Mother."Mark(s)NoneProvenanceca. 1840, made by Sophia van Giesen Gould [1763-1858] (Acquacknonk, NJ); 1858, passed by descent to Mary Sophia Post Humphreys [1821-1885] (Paterson, NJ); 1885-1915, passed by descent to Frederick W. Humphreys (Paterson, NJ); 1925, passed by descent to William Frederic Humphreys (Paterson, NJ); 1940, passed by descent to Herbert L. Humphreys (Paterson, NJ); 1972, passed by descent to Robert Humphreys (Ponte Vedre, FL); 2015-present, given to The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)
1840-1860
