Four-block squares alternate with squares of whole white print. Four blocks composed of two red squares of a red print and two squares of a white print. Perhaps ten different red prints are used alternately. All framed by three narrow borders using a red print for two and a blue print for the middle one.
Quilted shell patterns are used throughout along with a rope pattern at border, all stitched in an uneven hand. Roberta would likely have been around 65 years of age when the quilt was made.
Both the Penrose and the Carrigan families were Quaker and attended the Drumore Meeting (12 mi. south of Liberty Square). However, Enos Carrigan converted to Presbyterian, and after Roberta Penrose married him, they attended the Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church. Enos Carrigan was a farmer (did not follow blacksmith trade of his father) who also helped found and was one of the directors of the Farmers National Bank in Quarryville as well as the director of the Southern Mutual Insurance Co. also in Quarryville. In addition, he was Drumore Twp. school director at time of his death. Enos & Roberta are both buried in the Drumore Friends Meeting House cemetery.
Provenance
Donor believes the Penrose & Carrigan families were Scots-Irish, as were so many of the early settlers of Drumore Twp. She & her genealogist cousin are unaware of any Welsh ancestors. Ellis & Evans states (p. 969) that the Penroses emigrated from Bucks to Lancaster Co. in 1827.
Donor recalls as a little girl seeing her grandmother Roberta and her unmarried sister Sarah Jane (who was then in a wheelchair & living with Enos Carrigan family) both setting up the quilting frame in the living room during the winter months. It was likely during these years that this quilt was made.
Quaker-made quilt, silk block pattern called Square-in-Square or Economy Patch. Made by professional seamstress Addie Lamborn. Comprised of 25 pieced blocks 10" square, set straight in rows, 5 x 5. The silk dress fabrics are tan, blue and light yellow and are prints, solids and weaves.. Tan 3-inch sashing and dark blue cornerstones.
Handquilted inexpertly in dark thread with an overall large-scale grid. Stitches are large and uneven with crooked lines - not in keeping with the otherwise excellent workmanship. Perhaps the old note in file: "Hemstitched by Alice C. Lamborn Long Feb 1931" refers to this quilt?
Backing is a red, solid cotton and is brought to front to form binding. Thin-weight wool (cotton?) batting.
Appraiser notes the name of this quilt is Square-in-Square or Economy Patch
Little Brittain Twp. Lanc. Co until 1915, then West Grove, Chester County
Made by Addie (Ada) S. Lamborn (4-29-1875 to 1-30-1926)
Provenance
Addie S. Lamborn made this quilt for her grandnephew Howard Michener Long (b. circa 1922). Although made by Addie, quilt was apparently given as a gift by her sister Alice C. Long who was Howard's grandmother. Addie had a spinal deformity and lived with her sister's family working as a dressmaker/seamstress.
