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Quilt 2019.609.4
Quilt, Pieced Hexagons, Signed by Katherine Cobb Phelps Caperton with Quilt Case
Quilt 2019.609.4

Quilt, Pieced Hexagons, Signed by Katherine Cobb Phelps Caperton with Quilt Case

Dateca. 1940
Signed by Katherine Cobb Phelps (1866 - 1945)
OriginAmerica, Kentucky, Madison County, Richmond
MediumSilk, cotton, synthetic fabrics
DimensionsQuilt: OH: 77 in.; OW: 69 in. Quilt Case: OH: 17 1/2"; OW; 25 1/2"; Open: OH: 32 1/2"
Credit LineGift of Katherine Phelps Burnam Flood
Object number2019.609.4,1&2
DescriptionThis is a quilt pieced in a honeycomb pattern with quilting that follows the hexagons that make up the honeycomb, 8 running stitches per inch. The front consists of blue, yellow, pink, white, turquoise, red, maroon, and black silks, voided and cut velvets, jacquards, cottons, and synthetic fabrics, including rayon and crepes, with a backing of what is probably red silk. The honeycombs are bordered by white hexagons, which are in turn framed by yellow diamonds. An embroidered signature in the bottom corner reads, "Katherine Phelps Caperton/1940." Inside a central hexagon surrounded by brown velvet hexagons is an embroidered inscription which reads, "Emma Parkes Watts/London, 1924/North." Stitched in yelllow silk thread inside the central half hexagon at bottom of quilt is the mark "W/1865." The quilt has a single-edge binding made up of the same red silk. It is filled with cotton batting and is stitched with silk thread.
The rectangular quilt case is made of polished blue cotton trimmed in pink cotton. It has a scalloped flap and a pink button closure.
Label TextThis show quilt is one of four bedcovers owned by mother and daughter, Sarah Winifred Cobb Phelps (1842-1917) and Katherine Cobb Phelps Caperton (1866-1942). An embroidered signature in the bottom corner reads, "Katherine Phelps Caperton/1940."
MarkingsStitched in yelllow silk thread inside the central half hexagon at bottom of quilt is the mark "W/1865."
ProvenanceThis quilt was signed by Katherine Cobb Phelps Caperton, who gave it to her 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 granddaughter of Katherine Cobb Phelps. The quilt was passed down to the first-born child in each family.
History of Quilt Maker:
Katherine Cobb Phelps Caperton (May 11th, 1866-July 15th, 1945) was born to Sarah Winifred Cobb (December 11th, 1842-December 13th, 1917) and Thomas Phelps (1838-1908), an honored citizen of Madison County and a graduate of Georgetown College. Katherine grew up in the Phelps family home, Dreaming Creek Heights. Katherine married Colonel James W. Caperton in 1890. Caperton was an eminent lawyer, financier, and capitalist. The pair had two children, Mary James “Jamie” Caperton (April 7th, 1893-February 14th, 1990) and Katherine Phelps Caperton (1895-1897). Katherine was educated at Madison Female Institute of Richmond and Bartholomew School for Young Ladies in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was an Honorary Regent for life of the Boonesborough Chapter D.A.R, a past vice president of the National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of Kentucky, a charter member of the First Christian Church, and a member of the Kentucky and Virginia Historical Societies. She also wrote three books and numerous articles about the early history of Madison County and Kentucky at large. She died on July 15th, 1945 in Richmond, Kentucky.
The quilt was stored in a blue polished cotton case with pink trim.