This quilt is called the Early Star of Bethlehem Quilt and has Evening Star Motifs.
It’s beautifully hand stitched and dates from between 1820 and 1830. My girlfriend, Mary Lois, owns the quilt and her family oral history says the quilter was a Mrs. Pierce whose Yankee husband served in the Revolutionary War. Mr. Pierce was, supposedly, the first to fall in 1776 and died in Boston where there is a statue honoring his death as a British casualty. Many years later his widow carefully pieced this beautiful quilt.
The colors of the pieces are still quite vivid; there are nine squares of different colored pieces to make this quilt measuring 90 x 95 inches. There are a few small stains and some darkening on the backing of the quilt. Some front pieces are worn away, probably by the chemicals used in the dyeing process. Two small holes in the backing do not affect the front of the piece. There is some fading and light staining to the front, to be expected with a piece this old. A hanging pocket has been neatly seamed onto the back of the quilt.
I believe this quilt is for sale; please contact Leslie for more details.
cyndy says
What a beautiful quilt, with a beautiful story behind it! Thank you for posting about it!