Quilt No.571MM - Margaret McMillan

Margaret McMillan
Owner: 
Margaret McMillan
Location: 
NSW
Maker
Maker: 
Elizabeth Horrell
Made in
ENGLAND and NEW ZEALAND
Date: 
pre 1850
Description: 
Cotton log cabin double bed quilt. Each square has 52 pieces (i.e. 13 pieces x 4 to make a square). There are 192 squares so a total of 10.092 pieces. There is probably no padding. The backing is calico with a floral pattern done in running stitch.
2200 x 2200mm
History: 

The quilt was made by Elizabeth Horrell (born Moore) (1827-1913). It was commenced by her in Devon England in 1837 when she was 11 years old. She married John Horrell in England in 1848 and they came to New Zealand on the 'Charlotte Jane' in 1850 with their eldest son Samuel. The quilt was completed in New Zealand around 1852-53.
"My grandmother- Margaret Horrell - told me the quilt was mine. Her husband William must have been given the quilt by Uncle Henry - who I recall stayed a lot with them and died in 1946. As a child I always slept under the quilt when I stayed in Ashburton N.Z. with my grandparents. Given to me at age 18. As I married and moved to Australia in 1962 my mother kept the quilt in N.Z. She decided to wash it and so in about 1970, I brought it back to Australia. It has been in use all its life." [Margaret McMillan 1.7.99]

Story: 

Elizabeth Moore grew up at 'Moorefarm', Morchard Bishop, Devon England. The farm is still there and in tact.
" His wife (Elizabeth Horrell) had taught school in Devonshire and had a certificate from there and a testimonial from the Vicar. She took a class on the 'Charlotte Jane' which included Tom Phillips of The Point. After they settled in Christchurch she was assistant mistress under J.S.Hawley when St. Michael's school was started. It was said she taught in the school for three years and used to put her baby in a corner made comfortable with her sewing work."
[Part reference from 'Biographical Notes in Canterbury Museum' supplied by Margaret McMillan 1.7.99]

Related Quilts:

Joyce Lannin
Machine stitched quilt made from tailors' samples cut into squares. The colours are mainly greys, browns and fawns. There is no padding and the backing is a grey herringbone heavy woollen material with a white fleck. This is folded back to the front to make a 75mm border and finished with a dark grey braid where it meets the patchwork top. 1525 x 1225mm
Yass & District Historical Society
Patchwork quilt made from diamond patches in the 'Cotton Box' pattern, in a wide variety of cotton fabrics, including plains, checks, stripes and florals. The patches have blotting paper templates. The quilt is edged with diamond shapes in a red floral cotton. The backing is of the same red floral pattern, featuring yellow, turquoise and white flowers and leaves. Hand sewn.
2135 x 2033mm
National Trust of Australia (SA)
Randomly patched quilt in many different colours and fabrics. There are appliquéd shapes over many pieces including Suffolk Puffs, hearts, hexagons and other shapes. There is an embroidered inscription "A11 to S11 1829" which is thought to mean AN to SN 1829. There is no padding and the backing is white cotton.
2000 x 2200mm
Ankie King
Small square piece of crazy patchwork in silks and taffetas. Many of the seams are oversewn with decorative embroidery stitches. There is a calico backing.
550 x 550mm
Val Ireland
Utilitarian quilt. The padding is pieced used clothing and possibly reused blanket. The top and backing are machine pieced cotton scraps in a wide variety of pattern and colours.
1626 x 1601mm
Kaniva District Historical Society
Quilt of crocheted squares (sometimes known as Granny squares) in pinks, blues, greens and brown, with a green crocheted border edged in brown. Quilt is backed. A cot quilt or a knee rug.