Medallion quilt of pieced and appliqued cottons and chintz. Design is a center diamond within a square within a diamond within a square, all within three different borders. Center diamond within a square has 9 large blocks of white cotton, 5 with five large appliqued circles of chintz and 4 with pieced triangles of printed cottons and a floral "Persian embroidery" applique at center. Next is a diamond of chintz., followed by a large square of pieced triangles in same geometric pattern as the center diamond.
The inside 6" wide border uses the same chintz pattern as the diamond. Middle border has a white cotton ground with pieced "overlapping" diamonds of various chintzes. Outside border is same chintz print of inside border.
White cotton backing is brought forward to create narrow binding. Quilt patterns used are waffle, flowers and cable. The chintz pattern used throughout was made in the 1820s, thus suggesting the date for this quilt. Batting is cotton.
Made in the Paradise area by Jane Weakly Leche, with help from Margaret McCausland Sample, mothers of David Harmanus Leche (1825-1862) and his wife Harriet Ann Sample (1828-1896).
Provenance
Maker(s) to son David Harmanus Leche (1825-1862) and his wife Harriet Ann Sample (1828-1896) to Harriet Sample Leche Keller (Mrs. Charles B. Keller, 1858-1951) to daughter Harriet Elizabeth Keller Shand (Mrs. James Shand, 1892-1946) to son and donor James Shand (1926- ).
Quilt had a stitched-on fabric label, now removed, with handwritten statement (c. 1925) by donor's mother, Harriet Elizabeth Keller Shand. Message was transcribed on paper by James Shand in 1991. It states: "Property of Mrs. Keller 85 to 90 years old. Made by Jane Weakly Leche wife of David Leche. Margaret (McCausland) Sample wife of Dr. Nathaniel Sample helped to sew on it."
Fair to good condition due to fabric deterioration, soiling and liquid stains. Losses & deterioration mostly in triangular pieces but also some large blocks of one chintz. Heavy liquid stains scattered overall. Liquid stains very visible on reverse. Generally sound structurally, although there are two significant holes through top and back, an L-shaped tear about 3" in from one quilt edge and a fabric separation hole near point of one center diamond.
Fabric label removed from quilt back and placed in file.
Object ID
G.04.37.01
Notes
Family genealogy in this file includes two pages of family tree offered by donor. See Ellis & Evans, pp. 922, 106, 661 and Biographical Annals, pp. 151, 1210.
Role
Quiltmaker
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.