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Quilt 2019.609.3
Quilt or Tied Comforter by Sarah Winifred Cobb Phelps or Katherine Cobb Phelps
Quilt 2019.609.3

Quilt or Tied Comforter by Sarah Winifred Cobb Phelps or Katherine Cobb Phelps

Dateca. 1860-1880
Maker Sarah Winifred Cobb (Mrs. Thomas Phelps) (1842 - 1917)
Maker Katherine Cobb Phelps (1866 - 1945)
OriginAmerica, Kentucky, Madison County, Richmond
MediumWool, cotton, silk
DimensionsOH: 73 1/2 in.; OW: 82 5/8 in.
Credit LineGift of Katherine Phelps Burnam Flood
Object number2019.609.3
DescriptionThis is a tied comforter consisting of red, green, and brown plaid worsted wool with a strip of black velvet that creates a square in the middle of the plaid surface. The comforter is held together with a series of red tufts that are spaced between 2 1/4 in. and 3 in. apart. The front is taken to the back to from a finished edge. The backing is a brown printed cotton mimicking a woven pattern and it is bordered by a brown, tan, and blue paisley printed cotton. A hand-written note included with the quilt states, "A comfort made from one of the / dresses in my mother's trousseau. / Sara Winifred Cobb Phelps - (1842-1917) / the red poplin was [trim] used in / green [with] facings - [&] glass buttons. / Amberley / May 5th 1928 / K.P.C."
Label TextThis tied comforter is one of four bedcovers owned by mother and daughter, Sarah Winifred Cobb Phelps (1842-1917) and Katherine Cobb Phelps (1866-1942). A label associated with this comforter indicates that it was created from a dress in Sarah's trousseau.
InscribedA hand-written note included with the quilt states, "A comfort made from one of the / dresses in my mother's trousseau. / Sara Winifred Cobb Phelps - (1842-1917) / the red poplin was [trim] used in / green [with] facings - [&] glass buttons. / Amberley / May 5th 1928 / K.P.C."
ProvenanceProvenance: Made by either Sarah Winifred Cobb Phelps or her daughter, Katherine Cobb Phelps, the quilt was then given to Katherine's daughter, Mary Jamie Caperton, who gave it to her son, James Caperton Burnam. James gave it to Katherine Burnam Flood, who has given it to Colonial Williamsburg. Kathy Flood is the great, great granddaughter of Sarah Winifred Cobb Phelps. The quilt was passed down to the first-born child in each family.