Pieced Signature Quilt Blocks

Dateca. 1844

Maker Sarah Murphy

Maker Susanna D. Dennis (and possibly other makers)

OriginAmerica, Ohio, Roseville (possibly)

MediumCottons; ink inscriptions

Dimensions20 x 20 in. (51 x 51 cm)

Credit LineBequest of Mrs. Jason R. (Grace H.) Westerfield

Object number1974.609.11

DescriptionThese pieced quilt blocks consist of four squares sewn together of geometric white and red cotton pieces. Each block consists of a white cotton square in the center surrounded by four squares of red printed cotton. In the corner of each block is a square of white and red printed fabric in a variation of Goose Tracks. The blocks are backed in plain white cotton and bound in two strips of red printed cotton. They are not quilted. There is a different pattern of red printed cotton in each square.
The name “Sarah Murphy” is inscribed in ink on a block near the top right. At bottom left is the signature “Susanna D. Dennis / March 4th Roseville / 1844” and the verse Remmember me when thou doth sigh / And softly bend the knee / To ofer [sic] up thy prayer on high / Oh then remmember [sic] me".

Label TextThese piece blocks originally may have been intended for a signature and friendship quilt, but it was never completed. A variation of Goose Tracks, this pattern lacks the square of white that is usually added between each block of the goose track. The name "Sarah Murphy" is inscribed in ink on a block near the top right. At bottom is the signature "Susanna D. Dennis / March 4th Roseville / 1844."
Inscribed"Remember me when thou doth sigh
And softly bend the knee
To ofer up thy prayer on high
Oh then remember me'

ProvenanceOther than donor, no futher provenance is known.