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:

Red Cliffs Historical Society
Large hexagon rosettes in a variety of plain colours. 6 form a flower and each hexagon has a contrasting colour for the centre. Machined smaller hexagons give a ruffled effect. Colours of flowers include teal, burnt orange, pink, lime and mauve. The material is nylon and the backing is a single piece of pink bubble nylon. The padding is a single piece of calico.
2050 x 1530mm
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.
June Dean
Pieced hexagons, English paper method. Large hexagons form the centre with a border of smaller hexagons. The fabrics are all cotton in a wide range of colours and patterns. There is no padding. The backing is cotton, large white floral design on dark blue. The hexagons are hand pieced and the edges machined.
2480 x 1420 mm
Name withheld
Quilt top in postage stamp pattern typical of military quilts. 5 x 5 blocks each 280 x 280mm. Colours are predominantly red, black and cream. Thought to have been made using uniform material from the Crimean war
1350 x 1350mm
National Parks & Wildlife Service of SA
Patchwork quilt of hexagon patches (3.5cm sides approx), handsewn, in cotton fabrics in sprig prints, stripes, checks, florals and plains. Colours are pre-aniline dyes, in lavender, green, red, beige and purple. Centre of quilt is pastel colours with a central patch embroidered in red: 'Elsey Rowbotham her work May 1 1869'. Quilt has a wide border of squares and triangles.Padding is thin cotton. Backing is off white calico. Quilted in parallel lines.
2693 x 2490mm
Mare Carter
Patchwork quilt, all cotton including cotton filling. "Wedding Ring" pattern in variety of materials in plains and patterned, many pinks and blues.
Hand sewn and hand quilted.
2236 x 1804mm