Sunday 5 September 2010

A finish and more information about the hexagon quilt

I'm concentrating on getting the four Linus tops finished, and I've already done one!

It was made from (presumably) the leftovers from a kit, which were donated to Linus, and proved to be almost enough fabric to make a 'I spy a 4 patch' quilt designed by Bonnie Hunter. Here is DS kindly holding it for me to photograph. DH says he doesn't like the different borders, but I think they look good! I just hope the recipient likes them too!

I have been doing some more research into the possible maker of the hexagon top I was given. Lots of the papers were made from envelopes, and lots had the same name and address, Mrs Glass, 2 Charteris Road, Finsbury Park, London.

I checked on the 1891 census, and here are the people living at 2, Charteris Road.

Emily Sclater, widow aged 63, living on own means, born in Monkton Farleigh, Wiltshire.
Charles A Horpe, railway porter, aged 30, born in Fareham, Hampshire.
Mary Ann Horpe, wife, aged 26, born in Richmond, Yorkshire.
John C A Horpe, son aged 2, born in Richmond, Yorkshire.
Alfred R Horpe, son, aged 1, born in Barnet, Middlesex.

Emily Glass, widow, aged 43, living on own means, born Monkton Farleigh, Wiltshire.
Victor H Glass, son, aged 3, born Finsbury Park.
Elizabeth Godwin, sister, dressmaker, aged 29, born Monkton Farleigh, Wiltshire.

Presumably the house was divided up into flats or sections of some kind. So, while none of this information confirms who actually made the top, it looks like it was Emily Glass. As a widow living on some sort of pension, she would have had the time to do patchwork, and probably a need, after her recent bereavement. (Her son is only 3, so it must have been in the last 4 years.) She would have had access to lots of scraps, as her sister was a dressmaker, and must have had leftovers. Of course, it might have been Elizabeth who made the top, but somehow I can't imagine that a dressmaker would do hand sewing for a leisure pursuit! It's interesting that Emily Sclater was born in the same town as Emily Glass and her sister. It's surely not a coincidence - probably they were either related or friends.

I then looked at the 1881 census for Emily Glass. Then she was living at 43 Havelock Street, Islington.
Samuel Glass, railway porter, aged 39, born in Bradford.
Emily Glass, wife, aged 33, born in Monkton Farleigh, Wiltshire,
Cordelia glass, daughter, aged 4, scholar, born Arnley, Yorkshire.
Lucy Martha Glass, daughter, aged 1, born Monkton Farleigh, Wiltshire.
This is odd, because there is no trace I can find of Cordelia or Lucy Glass in the 1891 census. (I checked in case they were staying with grandparents or something.) No wonder there were so many black bordered envelopes, as it Emily must have lost two daughters and a husband in 10 years. So far, I have found Samuel Glass's death in the early part of 1890, but haven't had chance to look for the girls. What a sad life Emily must have had.

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Indeed and probably nothing out of the ordinary for those times - what a fascinating project Lynda - real living history

Contented Caroline said...

Wow, you are a super detective. What an interesting history.

Gina said...

What a fascinating story that quilt has.

Love and hugs Gina xxx

Amanda said...

I've loved following the 'envelope' story. Thank you for workiing hard and fishing out the information.

Clare said...

What a history. Well done you for tracing the quilt's ancestry. Fascinating project.

vernie said...

This is fascinating reading. These quilts are living history, such are the quilts at present displayed in the Quilt museum in York made during WW11

Sue said...

Fascinating story. I have enjoyed following your detective work. You have given Emily a place in history (it's probably more than she got in life). I think she would be pleased. Good for you! And your refurbished quilt is gorgeous.

lynne said...

you have not only given emily a place in history, but have also give her a place in our hearts. thank you so much for you work in finding out who she was, and for not only piecing her quilt together, but also piecing her story together for us....that was a REAL TREAT!!!

Susan said...

What an amazing find...... And you are doing so well filling us in on the details.....

I like the border on the Linus quilt myself.

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

What wonderful detective work! How awful for Emily though.

black bear cabin said...

wow...you have really done your homework...and just think how wonderful it will be to have all of that when you finish the quilt. its a good thing its in your hands...not only someone who can appreciate and love all the hard work put into it, but to get a background story makes it all the more special! well done!

Anonymous said...

Hi Lynda my ancestors were GODWIN's from Monkton Farleigh, so this was of great interest to me.

I myself became a Royal Dressmaker in London in the 60's working for BELLVILLE SASSOON.

Great website
Thanks
Shirley
Perth WA