Rollins Family Quilt Square

Dateca. 1870

Probably by Member of the Rollins Family

OriginAmerica, New Hampshire, Grafton (possibly)

MediumRed and brown ink on red and unbleached (natural) cottons

Dimensions16 7/8" X 16 3/4" (42.9cm x 42.6cm.)(irreg.).

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1962.609.1

DescriptionThis is a block of red and unbleached cotton swatches pieced in a central Sunburst or Mariner's Compass design, with ink inscriptions and drawings appearing on all unbleached swatches. There is a round swatch in the center, with 16 red triangular swatches and 16 diamond-shaped natural-colored swatches radiating from it. Red triangular swatches fill the outer edges between the diamond shapes, making a circular design that is set within a larger square of pieced natural cotton. The block is unhemmed.
Label TextThis pieced quilt block, in a variation of the Mariner’s Compass pattern, also called Noonday, Rising Sun, or Sunflower, records names of one New Hampshire family. The block may have been intended as a central medallion for a signature quilt. The unfinished block was not backed or quilted, and the edges were left unbound.
The block is notable for its elaborate calligraphy of inked inscriptions, gesturing hands, and well-defined leaves. The inked inscriptions include the dates of Ebenezer Rollins’s birth on March 22, 1781, and his marriage to Betsey Rollins in 1807. Radiating out from the center are sixteen points that are inscribed with the names of their children and grandchildren.

MarkingsIn center: "Father./EBENEZER ROLLINS./Was born./In Deerfield, N.H./March 22, 1781./He married Betsey Rollins./In 1807./Mooved [sic] to Grafton./N.H." In "points" beginning at "12:00 o'clock" and continuing counterclockwise around circle: "Mr. & Mrs./Sewell M. Rollins./Martha Dean." "Mr. & Mrs./Albert Bucklin (?)./Polly P. (?) Rollins." "Mr. & Mrs./John Ladd./Mary Rollins." "Mr. & Mrs./Elijah Rollins./Artie Kinsman." "Mr. & Mrs./John B. Johnson./ Susan A. Rollins." "Mr. & Mrs./Gilbert W. Rollins./Savalla Barney." "Mr. & Mrs./Masten S. Williams/Hellen A. Rollins."* "Mr. & Mrs ./Albion. W. Rollins./Albina. Barney." "Mr. & Mrs./Daniel. Bean./Elisabeth S. Rollins." "Mr. & Mrs./Lyman P. Rollins./Olive L. Wadleigh." "Mr. & Mrs./George. T. Squires./ Elma F. Rollins." "Mr. & Mrs./Albert. W. Rollins./Mama" "Mr. & Mrs./Orra. L. Rollins. /[blank space]" "Mr. & Mrs. Alfred A. Rollins./Lorinda Dean." "Mr. & Mrs./Samuel C. Miller./Emma A. Rollins." "Mr. & Mrs./ Lewis Burrows./Sarah Rollins." In four corners of square, beginning at "10:00 o'clock" and moving counterclockwise: "Stephen. & Eben. Rollins./Brothers./Aaron Rollins./cousin Sadie E. Rollins." "Mr. & Mrs. Byron. Rollins./Bessie. Rollins./ Bell. Rollins." "Mr. & Ms. Oscar. Rollins./ Children/Arthur Rollins./Wesley. Rollins." "Mr. & Mrs. Hurbert Rollins./Children./Eugene Rollins./Anna Rollins."
ProvenanceThe ownership of the quilt block prior to donor is unknown.