Images(36)

Quilt, Appliquéd Album Friendship

Date1837, 1843, 1844, 1845

Maker Martha Dushane

Maker Mary E. Smith

Maker Lydia A. White

Maker Sallie E. White

Maker Amora E. Deputy

OriginAmerica, Maryland, Baltimore

MediumPlain and printed cottons

DimensionsOH: 85 1/4 in.; OW: 85 1/4 in.

Credit LineMuseum Purchase, Linda R. Baumgarten

Object number2018.609.1

DescriptionThis is an appliqued album quilt made up of fifteen blocks. Each block consists of the same appliqued floral motif in printed reds and greens on a white ground. Most of the blocks are inscribed in ink with names, dates, place names, and/or verses, many of which are difficult to read because the ink has faded. The blocks are separated by wide bands of plain red cotton sashing. The quilt is backed in plain white cotton and is signed on the back bottom right corner, "C. E. H. 1930." It is quilted in ten running stitches per inch in an "Orange Peel" pattern. The quilt is finished in scallops on the sides and is edged on all four sides in a 1/2" folded white cotton strip, the same of which is on the back.Label TextAlbum quilts were typically made by a group of people who signed their blocks and presented the finished product to an honoree such as a bride, minister, or an individual leaving the community. This album quilt top consists of 15 appliqued blocks, inscribed in ink with names, dates, place names, and/or verses, many of which are difficult to read because the ink has faded.

Art of the Quilter:
Most popular between 1840 and 1860, album quilts are made up of individual appliqued or pieced blocks and often feature personal inscriptions and signatures. While the style was a favorite of makers along the east coast, Baltimore became particularly known for album quilts. The city had a thriving textile industry and a large selection of fabric imports from which quilters could choose.

The Dushane sisters, daughters of a Baltimore carpenter, made their mark on two album quilts in Colonial Williamsburg's collection. In 1845, 18-year-old Martha inscribed the bottom block of the middle column of this quilt. Perhaps the surrounding signatures were neighbors of members of the sisters' church community.Inscription(s)Row 1, Top Left
Block 1: Hannah B [?] / 1837.
Block 2: [?] [?]kile.
Block 3: Lydia. A. White.
Block 4: Sarah [?] 1843.
Block 5: Mary Willow Grove/1844

Row 2
Block 1: Maranda A.B. Smith
Block 2: L.A.[?] / 1844;
Block 3: Eliza R. Hamm [?]
Block 4: I fair would give to thee some noble things. For noble things belong to thee of light[?]. Amora E. Deputy. March 1847.
Block 5: Martha Dushane/Baltimore 1845;

Row 3
Block 1: not slothful in business/ fervent in spirit; serving the/ Lord Sarah E [?]
Romans 12.11
Block 2: Mary E. Smith/ No. E.
Block 3: [?]
Block 4: Mary E. Limmen [?]/ 1844
Block 5: Sallie E. WhiteMark(s)See "Inscription(s)"ProvenanceUnknown date, Major Glenn R. Webster (Alexandria, VA); unknown date, purchased by Ann D'Hondt (Brevard, NC); 2018; purchased by The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)

History of quilt block maker:
Martha Dushane was the fifth daughter of Valentine Dushane, a Baltimore builder. She was born on July 4th, 1847 and married Benjamin V. Richardson on February 22nd, 1849. They had six children -- Harry Dushane, Martha Virginia, John Wesley, Mary Florence, Carrie Gertrude, and Benjamin V., Jr. She died on January 4th, 1899. Her older sisters, the third and fourth daughters of Valentine Dushane, Cecilia and Margaret, made squares for the Eggleston quilt top (1999.609.2). For more information on Cecilia and Margaret, see CWF 1999.609.2. Their father, Valentine, was born on August 25th, 1787 in New Castle County, Delaware. He and his brothers resented their father’s cruelty and moved to Baltimore in 1803. He married Elizabeth Sendorf and had seven children. He was a Sergeant in the army, defending Baltimore at the Battle of North Point on September 12th, 1814. When he first moved to Baltimore, he became an apprentice to a carpenter. He then moved into the field of building, constructing the east wing of Old St. Paul’s Rectory and the Eutaw House.