Images(4)

Woven White Coverlet

Date1819

Maker Mrs. George Lunsford

OriginAmerica, Kentucky

MediumCotton (identification of fibers by eye)

DimensionsOL: 98 1/2' x OW 75 1/2" Fringe: 2" Selvage Width: approx. 24 1/2"

Credit LineGift of Betsy Davison

Object number2018.609.14

DescriptionThis is a rectangular woven white cotton coverlet with hand-knotted cotton fringe at left side and bottom. It consists of three panels measuring approximately 24 ½’ wide seamed together. It has a rolled hem at top, bottom, and left side. There is a selvage at right side. The applied knotted fringe at left side and bottom is about 2” wide. The coverlet is woven in a huckaback weave structure where the patterning of plain weave is achieved by floats.
Label TextWhite pattern-woven cotton coverlets, such as this one, were typical in America during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth-centuries. This coverlet is woven in a popular pattern, probably known as huckaback in the nineteenth century. This coverlet has a long history of use in Kentucky, and is an important document of southern home furnishings.
ProvenanceThe woven coverlet descended in the Lunsford family of Kentucky prior to being sold at Cowan's Auctions in 2018. A letter and envelope accompanying the coverlet states:
Envelope:
Quilt made in 1819
Letter:
115 years old.
February 19. 34
Dear little Sister i just got
your letter and Sure was glad to
hear from you and glad to hear
you were coming out Soon i cant
go no place any more and will
be glad to See you. Now you
want to No about the counterpane
and i am Sure going to tell you
accurately and dont you let
any one tell you different. My grand
mother Lunsford was born
August 31ST 1799 and She
raised the cotton and carded
it and Spun it in to thred
that made that counterpane
in 1819 at that time She would be
20 years old and She gave it to
Lee when he was 7 months old
and it has been in our family
over 80 years it was your great
grand mother Lunsford that
made it and She tied the fringe
and put it on the counterpane
her Self i dont think any of it
got lost when I had it. She at
that time lived in the State
of Kentucky and was married
to my grand father George
Lunsford in Kentucky now
i think you can come verry
near telling how old it is for
i have told you the truth. i had
to laugh when i read your letter
for i just could hear your mother
Say ask aunt Jennie She never
forgets anything So i will
close hoping to See you Soon &
i hope you will get well by the
time you come So we can
bump them off playing cards
With Love
Aunt Jennie. oh i forgot
I hope [Lervis] is well