Elizabeth C. Loudenslager
Piecework Autograph Cross Friendship Quilt

CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Piecework Autograph Cross Friendship Quilt
Datec. 1842–1844
Made inMauricetown vicinity, New Jersey, United States
MediumCotton and ink
Dimensions113 × 113 in. (287 × 287 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of the estate of Miss Ima Hogg
Object numberB.76.90
Non exposé

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Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
Description

Technical notes and description: Tabby-weave cotton face and back; cotton filling. This quilt is constructed of sixty onpoint squares, each composed of a central square surrounded by four rectangular arms with triangular fillers set within a lattice framework in a five- or six-by-eleven-row configuration. The blocks are assembled from thirty-seven unique printed fabrics and bear either ink or stamped signatures and /or emblems. The quilt was probably assembled over a two-and-a-half-year span (1843-44) by Elizabeth (E.C.) Loudenslager, wife of circuit-rider preacher Jacob Loudenslager. It probably commemorates the building of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Mauricetown, New Jersey, in 1842, and the death of the couple's first granddaughter, Ann Elizabeth Loudenslager, who died in infancy before her surviving, namesake sibling was born in 1845.

Reading from top to bottom, left to right, the blocks are inscribed with the names of the Loudenslager relatives, friends, and members of the congregation.

Related examples: Kiracofe and Johnson 1993, p. 82.

Book excerpt: David B. Warren, Michael K. Brown, Elizabeth Ann Coleman, and Emily Ballew Neff. American Decorative Arts and Paintings in the Bayou Bend Collection. Houston: Princeton Univ. Press, 1998.


ProvenanceMiss Ima Hogg; Estate of Miss Ima Hogg, 1975; given to MFAH, 1976.
Exhibition History"American Traditions: Quilts and Coverlets 1760–1900," The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, October 28, 2001–April 7, 2002.

"Miss Ima's Quilts," The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, Austin, October 28, 2006–January 7, 2007.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Inscribed, from top to bottom, left to right on blocks: Sarah Turner, Paulsboro, 1843; Elizabeth S. Baker, Paulsboro, 1843; John Loudenslager; Mary Haily, Mauricetown, March 30, 1843; Mary S. Loundenslager, Philadelphia, February 29, 1844; Joseph Turner, Paulsboro, 1843; Loretta Shropshire, Mauricetown, March, 30, 1843; Charles Parker, Clonmell, 1844; Susan Loudenslager, Philad, 1843; M. Baker, Paulsborough, NJ, 1842; Hannah E. Loudenslager, Philad, 1843; Rebecca S. Loudenslager, Philadelphia, February 29, 1844; Sopia Compton, Mauricetown, 1843; Henry and Mary Clymer; Martha W. Paul, Paulsboro, 1843; Elizabeth Howell, Mauricetown, March 30, 1843; Lavinia Bostick [or Bostwick], Philada, 1843; Catherine Stelwaggon, Philada, 1844; David Loudenslager, Philadelphia, 1843; Rachel Haley; Isabella Loudenslager; Miriam Greess, Mauricetown, 1843; Margaret B. Loudenslager, Philadelphia, February 29, 1844; Wm Loudenslager, Phila, 1843; [Embroidered center block]; William Haley; Philip L. Baker, Paulsboro, NJ; Thomas Loudenslager; George Loudenslager; [Embroidered center block] Ann Elizabeth Loudenslager [inscribed under willow by tombstone]; [Embroidered center block]; [Memorial dedication to Michael and Elizabeth Loudenslager, Paulsboro, with willow and tombstone]; Caroline R. Compton, Mauricetown, April, 1843; Geo. Loudenslager, Philada, 1843; Ashsoh Loudenslager, Paulsboro, NJ; [Embroidered center block]; Mary Clymer, Philada, 1843; Jacob Loudenslager; Mary Rea, Mauricetown, March 31, 1843; Charles C. Loudenslager, Paulsboro; John Loudenslager, Paulsboro, NJ; Vashti Sharp, Mauricetown, March 30, 1843; Elizabeth Loudenslager, Philadelphia; Jane Haley; Ann S. Baker, Paulsboro, January 18, 1843; Nancy Paul, Paulsboro, 1843; George and Sarah Loudenslager; E. C. Loudenslager; George Haley; Eliza Compton; Elizabeth Haily, Mauricetown, March 30, 1843; John C. S. Baker; Harriott Eliza Parvin, Cedarville, February 29, 1844; James J. Loudenslager, Paulsboro; David P. Haley; Elizabeth Gray; Margaret C. Bacon; Joseph L. Loudenslager, Philadelia, 1843; Sarah Compton, Mauricetown, 1843; Mary S. Compton, Mauricetown, April 1843
[no marks]

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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