Quilt, Pieced Mariner's Compass

Date1848 (dated)

Maker Ann Rebecca Kellam (2/1/1829 -7/28/1902)

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Accomack County

MediumPrinted and plain cottons with roller-printed cotton border, printed cotton trim, muslin backing, and cotton embroidery threads

DimensionsOH: 97 5/8"; OW: 97"

Credit LineGift of Dr. and Mrs. John A. Byrd in memory of Grace Floyd Byrd

Object number2010.609.3

DescriptionThis pieced quilt consists of sixteen blocks, in four by four rows, of sixteen pointed stars that radiate from the center of a circle. The blocks (18 1/2" x 19 1/2") are set with a three-inch plaid sashing with a three- inch red printed square at intersections of sashing. Each compass rose (or sixteen pointed star) consists of thirty-two triangular pieces and one center circle piece. A five-inch border of printed cotton is on all four sides. Embroidered initials "EBS, " "AR/AK," "CK/MK," and the date "1848" appear in compass centers of row three. The edge finish consists of a 1/4" red printed cotton self binding trim.

Quilting Stitches: The bedcover is quilted in 7-8 stitches per inch in double row circles and botanical elements in the blocks and diagonal parallel lines in the border and sash.

Embroidery Stitch: Chain
Label TextThis quilt consists of sixteen blocks of sixteen pointed stars that radiate from the center of a circle. Commonly known as "Mariner's Compass," the design is one of the earliest quilt patterns and was probably inspired by the compass rose, a decorative feature found on charts and maps. The quilt maker embroidered three sets of initials and the date of 1848 in the open circles of four of the center blocks. Ann Kellam lived in Accomack County on Virginia's Eastern Shore. Surrounded by the Chesapeake Bay to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Ann's choice for her quilt pattern seems quite appropriate.

MarkingsEmbroidered initials "EBS," "AR/AK," "CK/MK,"and the date "1848" appear in compass centers of row three.
ProvenanceThe quilt has a confirmed Accomack County, Virginia provenance, having descended from the maker, Ann Kellam Benswanger, to her daughter Mary Swanger Floyd, to her daughter, Grace Floyd Byrd, to her son and Ann Kellam's great grandson who donated the quilt to the museum. Family history states that the quilt was made in 1848 as part of Ann Kellam's hope chest.
History of quilt maker:
Ann Rebecca Kellam was born on February 1, 1829 to Nathaniel Nash (ca. 1788-1874)) and Nancy Bloxom Kellam of St. George Parish, Accomack County, Virginia. The 1850 Accomack County Census indicates that Nathaniel Nash was a 62-year-old farmer with real estate valued at $2,000.00. Listed with him was his wife Nancy, age 65; Ann R., age 21; and Henny R., age 6.
Ann married Emanuel Benswanger, a German emigrant merchant, on February 13, 1856 at Locustville in St. George Parish. They had at least one child, Mary Swanger who was born ca. 1865. Ann died on July 28, 1902 at the age of 73. Her body was interred at Swanger Graves in Locustville in Accomack County, Virginia.
(Information from MARRIAGE RECORDS OF ACCOMACK COUNTY, VIRGINIA, 1854-1895. Comp. by Barry W. Miles and Moody K. Miles and http://www.espl-genealogy.org/miles9/p1001.htm.)