Images(317)

Quilt Patches, Mosaic Paper Template

Dateca. 1890

Maker Martha Lowrey Pardee (1838 - 1911)

OriginAmerica, Ohio

MediumCotton, paper, and ink

Credit LineGift of Delores Williamson

Object number2016.609.2

DescriptionThis is a collection of mosaic, hexagonal quilt blocks and related materials. The collection includes cut out shapes, paper templates, and numerous blocks stitched together. Many of the paper backings display snippets of writing, stamps, and cancellation marks.
Label TextThe quilt patches in this collection were created by folding textiles over pre-cut paper templates and basting them in place. Sometimes the paper templates were left in place, as in many of the patches here, but often the basting stitches were pulled out and the papers removed prior to quilting. The technique is often referred to as "mosaic patchwork" or "honeycomb," the later referring to the popular hexagonal shapes.

Many of these paper backings contain partial references to Martha Lowrey Pardee of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Martha likely began making this quilt at some point in the 1890s as many of the dates recorded on the paper backings fall within this decade. Some of the correspondence that references Martha uses the prefix “Miss.” indicating that some of the paper backings are from correspondence written prior to her marriage. It appears that Martha also recycled correspondence from the 1860s while making her quilt, as several dates within this decade, particularly the years 1863 and 1864, appear on the paper backings. Several of the paper backings from this decade reference Murfreesboro, Tennessee and the 115 Regiment, possibly the 115 Ohio Infantry that was stationed in Murfreesboro. Several of the paper backings refer to towns in Ohio, including Akron, Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson, Kent, and Ravenna. They also include references to Boston, Massachusetts, Litchfield County, Connecticut (the birthplace of Martha’s mother-in-law, Fanny Benedict), and New York. The names of Martha’s maternal aunt, Eliza Perkins Dewey (1829-1903), and her brother, George Harrison Lowrey, appear on an envelope that once contained smaller quilt pieces and materials.

It is possible that Martha’s daughter, Effie, was either the maker of the quilt or assisted Martha. Effie’s name appears several times on the paper backings, however not as frequently as Martha’s.

Art of the Quilter:
Around 1895, Martha Lowrey Pardee, possibly with the help of her daughter Effie, began cutting hundreds of paper and fabric hexagons. While the Pardeess selected fashionable, contemporary fabrics, they used decades old papers to create templates. Several of these hexagons were made from letters sent during the American Civil War mentioning the 115th Regiment of Ohio Infantry stationed at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Others included stamps, advertisements, and blue lined writing paper. It is unknown why this quilt was never finished, but the family treasured these pieces enough to preserve them along with the fabric intended to be used for the border.
InscribedNumerous place names, names, and dates.
ProvenanceThese quilt pieces were most likely made by Martha Celia Lowrey (1838-1911). Martha was born in 1838 to Royal A. Lowrey (1812-1842) and Mary C. Perkins (1815-1850). Martha lived her entire life in Ohio and married Elijah K. Pardee (1837-1885). Together they had at least two children, Effie Julia Pardee (1867-1907) and Fred A. Pardee (1869-1907). When Martha died on September 30, 1911 she left her belongings, which consisted of “a little furniture,” clothing, and $46 in cash, to her granddaughter, Celia Ann Friend (1906-1976), the daughter of Effie and her husband, Samuel Howard Friend (1867-1948). Celia Ann married Gaylord Sylvester Williamson (1906-1996). Their daughter, Delores Williamson (b. 1931), donated the quilt pieces to the museum in 2016.