Mary, Your very interesting message about the quilt makes me think of my efforts to locate old church records of churches that have ceased to exist, it is a real detective job, but what a treasure when one is found, and how great is the instrinsic and also the real value to many people, who care about their family, history, etc. I know what an effort it takes to accomplish this sometimes, but I feel it is a worthy effort which needs to be done. I've been engrossed recently in trying to protect and preserve (and then hopefully restore) the Old Brick cemetery in Carthage township. My work schedule only allows so much time for this, but I've put a lot of effort into it. But it is at the point where it needs public support, and I'm thinking of starting a petition, to be signed, by those who favor the road being maintained to the cemetery from north and south, past the cemetery, rather than turning the whole thing into a field and allowing it to be farmed (which will eventually result in the destruction of the cemetery). If anyone on the forum might like to sign this petition, please write back to me privately and I will explain further. Robert Webb On Sat, 22 May 2004 07:33:47 -0500 "Mary Keller" <[email protected]> writes: > Wouldn't it have been nice if Grandma had just put in that writing > who the successful bidder was? Of course, it was written many years > later and she maybe didn't recall. Would be interesting to hear > what the final auction bid was! > > Much of our history comes from quilts. They were first constructed > as a means of thrift, cutting pieces from worn clothing or scraps of > fabric and stitching it back together to create something of use to > the family. Those quilts are fun, even now, as there may be a hint > of an old blouse, the apron someone wore, favorite pajamas, etc. > Today's quilters purchase fabrics specifically for a new quilt but > they won't be nearly as dear as the ones who bring back those > special memories. Today's quilters are encouraged to put labels on > their quilts so that our descendants will know who made the quilt. > Many of those old ones have lost that as they weren't considered > anything special and the family knew who made them. Memories fade. > > Quilts played an important role in the Underground Railroad. Since > many slaves passed through Hancock County on the way North, there is > history there. Ask at your local library about books regarding > this, if you are interested. Certain designs gave directions to > those escaping from the South. > > If anyone is interested in the old quilts, don't overlook where they > may be hiding. A real treasure was found not long ago. A young > woman was helping her mother turn a mattress and discovered a > gorgeous wool one being used--as they commonly were in previous > generations--as a protector between the springs and the mattress. > Another young woman purchased a scrubby-looking one at an auction > but became curious what was inside--another antique quilt that was > worn but still a treasure. Sadly, many of these name quilts end up > with the embroidery worn and tattered over the years. I think I may > have a trail on the one that I have asked about. It may not be the > same one but I'm told there is one that is very fragile. Now, if I > can just find the owner at home! We'll see if it might match up > with the brief description in Grandma's writing! Let me know if you > think you have seen it though. Mary > > > ==== ILHANCOC Mailing List ==== > To unsubscribe from this mailing list send an e-mail to: > [email protected] Turn off your signature. There is > no subject required and only one word goes into the e-mail. > Unsubscribe > > > ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!