HomeMy WebLinkAboutquilts 2025 Sue Thompson NL ArticleSignature Quilts of Enfield – Sue Thompson, historian@townofenfield.orgA resident of Lansing recently shared with me an 1860’s signature quilt with Enfield resident’s names written on
the quilt squares in ink. The quilt pattern and writing are very similar to the 1851 Abigail Travis quilt from Enfield. Both the 1851 and 1860’s names on the quilts were residents from
the area of southwest Enfield, Connecticut Hill/Rumsey Hill Roads, south into Newfield and west into Schuyler county. In 2006 I wrote an article for the Community Newsletter regarding
an 1851 “quilt top” that had been given to Enfield Historical Society in from Debby Rappleye. Debby had received the quilt top from her Grandmother Martha Frost of Mecklenburg. The quilt
was made for Abigail Travis by her friends in the year 1851 in Enfield. Each of the large quilt blocks (90) contained a signed verse in ink by friends from Enfield, Newfield and Genoa.
I finally discovered that Abigail Travis was Martha Frosts great grandmother. Martha’s parents were Maynard Frost and Ida May Wallenbeck her parents were Claude and Rosabella Harvey
Wallenbeck. Rosabella’s parents were Abigail Travis and Joseph Harrison Harvey. The 1860’s quilt has 34 signatures blocks containing only the names and some identification notes such
as “wife”. (*name on 1860’ quilt). I used the Federal and State census through Ancestry.com to locate the families.
*Mr. Henry C. Darling (1811 – 1900) Married to Lydia Jane (1811-1900)
*Mr. James H. Darling(1810-1893) Married to Rachel E. Crawford (1825-1910)
*Mr. Harrison Doolittle(1839-1905) Harrison’s mother was Charity Travis Doolittle. Charity is Abigail Travis’s sister (1851 Enfield Quilt) Harrison was listed on the 1851 quilt.
*Ervay, Sylvanus (1829-1890) and *Wife Martha H. Nobles (1839-1892).
*Mr. John A. Nobles (1825-1875)was Martha Nobles brother who was married to
*Mrs. Frances M. Nobles (1826 – 1900 est.).John and Frances were on the 1851 quilt.
*Mrs. Martha Rumsey Harvey (1827-1904) was married to Silas Harvey (1825-1900), Martha’s brother was *Franklin Rumsey (1810-1891)married to *Elizabeth Sherwood (1825-1901)and their sons*Henry
H (Harrison) Rumsey (1844-1875) and *Herman Rumsey (1841-1914).
*Elizabeth Hungerford (1836-1918)was married to Charles Hungerford (1838-1899).
*Eli Miller (1810) and *Mrs. Polly A. Miller (1822) were married their daughter was
*Eunice Miller (1839).
*Mrs. Mary A. Konkle Rumsey (1825 -1898) married to Schuyler Rumsey (1923 -1888).
*Mr. Herman Russel (1819-1897)and *Mrs. Maria A. (Sherwood) Russel (1821-1906) sons and daughters: *Mr. George Russel(1842-1892), *Mr. Warren Russel (1850-1928), *Sarah E. Russel(1848-1920
est.) married to Cortes Williams.
*Sarah Saxton(1848-1875) daughter of James and Anna Saxton of Newfield.
*Warren Sherwood (1840-1889) of Dryden NY
*Charlotte Mrs.Sherwood (1817-1887)married to Augustus Sherwood (1812-1885).
*Mrs. Sarah Sherwood (1833-1906) married to John Sherwood (1829-1902).
*Mrs. Hannah Singer (1823-1904)married to Samuel Singer (1815-1893 North Lansing, NY )
No information found on: *Mr. Charles Pierce, *Mary J. Rumsey (lots of Mary’s listed)*Mr. David Rumsey. *Cornelia A. Rumsey Wife, *Jane Rumsey, Cornelia and Jane were listed on 1851
quilt). *Hannah Smith, Wife, *Wife Caroline DavenportPictures of the quilts and more detailed information can be found on thelaserfiche site for Enfield, www.townofenfield.org – For
Residents – Archived Documents- Quilts