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2020.609.1, Quilt
Quilt, Appliquéd by Sarah Doub
2020.609.1, Quilt

Quilt, Appliquéd by Sarah Doub

Date1857
Maker Sarah Doub (1805-1878)
OriginAmerica, Maryland, Frederick
MediumPlain and printed cottons
DimensionsOH: 94" × OW: 92 3/4" (238.8 × 235.6cm)
Credit LineMuseum Purchase, Linda R. Baumgarten
Object number2020.609.1
DescriptionThis is a large almost square appliquéd quilt consisting of twenty-five blocks of printed and plain red cotton and printed green cotton motifs. Twenty blocks have a “folded paper-cut-out” appliqué motif with elements from a fleur-de-lis pattern in printed red cotton. One name for this motif is “Apple Pie Ridge Star.” All of the "Apple Pie Ridge Star" motifs are from the same printed red fabric except for one block in the top row, fourth block in. It uses a slightly different printed red fabric. In the center of the quilt is a block with a wreath of green vines and leaves with red berries. In each corner is a block containing a quatrefoil of alternating red and green serrated leaves. A sashing of 2 ¼” printed red cotton (the same fabric as found in the appliquéd motifs) separates each block. The same fabric forms an outer border.
The quilt is backed in plain white cotton, made up of three panels, which is brought to the front to form an edge.
The bed cover is intricately quilted in twelve running stitches per inch in patterns of plumes/feathers on vines, outline around the appliqued motifs, chevron patterns in the border, and sprigs of flowers (some iris and some daisy-like) in the center of the appliquéd motifs.
The name “Frances Isabella Lakin” in red type appears on a small tag sewn to the front edge of the quilt. In the center of the back of the quilt is the handwritten inked inscription: “Made by/ Sarah Doub/ in the/ 52nd year of her/ age/ for her son/ Valentine David Doub/ Frederick City/ July 1857/ Maryland.”
Label TextAlbum quilts made up of individual appliquéd blocks were especially popular in the mid-nineteenth century. Twenty blocks in this quilt have a “folded paper-cut-out” appliqué motif with elements from a fleur-de-lis pattern in printed red cotton. One name for this motif is “Apple Pie Ridge Star.”

Signed album quilts were often created by friends and family members to commemorate a special event, such as a wedding, baptism, or move. This quilt was created by Sarah Doub of Frederick, Maryland, for her son, Valentine David Doub. In the center of the back of the quilt is the handwritten inked inscription: “Made by/ Sarah Doub/ in the/ 52nd year of her/ age/ for her son/ Valentine David Doub/ Frederick City/ July 1857/ Maryland.” It is not known, however, if Valentine ever received the quilt that his mother so beautifully appliqued and quilted. In 1849, Valentine emigrated to California as a member of a mining company and there is no evidence that he ever returned home.
InscribedIn the center of the back of the quilt is the handwritten inked inscription: “Made by/ Sarah Doub/ in the/ 52nd year of her/ age/ for her son/ Valentine David Doub/ Frederick City/ July 1857/ Maryland.”
Markings“Frances Isabella Lakin” in red type appears on a small tag.
ProvenanceThere is no known provenance of quilt ownership from maker to last owner. The name “Frances Isabella Lakin” in red type appears on a small tag sewn to the front edge of the quilt, suggesting that Ms. Lakin once owned the quilt. One likely candidate is Frances Isabelle Lakin (1906-1995), an unmarried schoolteacher of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

History of Quilt Maker:
Sarah Reifsnider Doub was born on June 16, 1805, possibly to David Reifsnider II (1776-1841) and Elizabeth Maus (1783-1844). She married Joshua Doub (1804-1850) on March 5, 1827. Together they had four children, William H. (1828-), Valentine David (1832-1877), Mary Jane Elizabeth (1832-1908), and Esther Ann (1835-1849). She died on September 16, 1878 and is buried in the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Frederick, Maryland.
Quilt Made For:
Valentine David Doub, for whom the quilt was made, was born in 1832 to Sarah Reifsnider (1805-1878) and Joshua Doub (1804-1850). He emigrated to Marin County, California in 1849 as a member of the Baltimore and Frederick Trading and Mining Co. Beginning in 1850, Doub spent two years in the mines, after which he returned to Marin County. In 1854, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff, one year later in 1855 he was appointed Under Sheriff, a position which he held until 1857. That same year, Doub was elected Sheriff, a position which he held for three successive terms. In 1870 he was appointed Deputy County Clerk; after this term he was elected to serve as County Clerk, a position which he held until his death. He died on July 9, 1877 and is buried in the Mount Tamalpais Cemetery in San Rafael, California.