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1974-265, Sewing Case
Thread Case
1974-265, Sewing Case

Thread Case

Dateca. 1795
Artist/Maker Molly Stone (1777-1800)
OriginAmerica, Massachusetts, Templeton
MediumLinen, linen-cotton, cotton, crewel embroidery thread, cotton thread, silk gauze
DimensionsOL 12 1/2" x OW (lower section) 6 1/2" OL (upper section) 7 1/2" x OW (upper section) 4 1/8"
Credit LineBequest of Grace Hartshorn Westerfield
Object number1974-265
DescriptionThis is a thread case made of natural-colored linen embroidered with multi-colored crewels backed with block-printed cotton and cotton-linen textiles. The upper section consists of a rectangular piece of linen that is sewn to a brown, block-printed, linen-cotton textile and divided into four narrow channels. Two of the channels contain skeins of cotton thread. The third channel from the left is inscribed in ink and reads: "Made by Mollie Stone". The lower section consists of a piece of linen sewn to a blue-green, block-printed cotton. The pocket contains a length of silk gauze.
Label TextThis thread case would have enabled its user to organize and transport their sewing materials. The narrow channels were used to separate skeins of thread while the pocket served as a catch-all for miscellaneous sewing materials.
ProvenanceThis thread case probably descended from the maker, Molly Stone (1777-1800) to her sister, Persis Stone (1791-1826). Persis Stone likely gave the case to her daughter, Persis Stone Upham (1812-1899). Persis Stone Upham may have then given it to her husband, Joel Guild Fales (1809-1886), who is probably the J. G. Fales who appears in provenance records as the former owner of this thread case. Eventually, the case ended up in the collection of Grace Hartshorn Westerfield (1885-1974), who left it to Colonial Williamsburg in 1974.

History of Maker:

The Molly Stone who made this thread case was most likely the daughter of Simon Stone (1746-1827) and Hannah Whittemore (1750-1825). Molly was born on March 18, 1777 in Templeton, Massachusetts and died on March 25, 1800. Molly had several siblings, one of whom was a sister named Persis (1791-1826). Persis married Samuel C. Upham on December 15, 1810. Together they had at least one child, a daughter named Persis Stone (1812-1899). Persis Stone married Joel Guild Fales (1809-1886) on March 26, 1834. Joel Guild Fales is likely the J.G. Fales who appears in provenance records as the former owner of this thread case.