QUILT INDEX RECORD

53-155-773

Who documented this quilt?

South Carolina Quilt History Project

South Carolina Quilt History Project Number:

ABB-6

Where are the records for this quilt housed?

McKissick Museum, University of South Carolina

Ownership of this quilt is:

Private

Quilt Owner's Name:

Mrs. G.R. Shytles (Maryland Wilson Shytles)

Quilt Owner City:

Greenville

Quilt Owner State:

South Carolina (SC)

Quilt Owner Country:

United States

Relation of the quiltmaker to the present owner:

Great-great aunt

Interviewer:

Susanne Abrams

Date (data was collected):

1984-03-30

Do you know the city where this quilt was made?

Abbeville, Clear Springs Plantation

Do you know the county where this quilt was made?

Abbeville, now McCormick

Do you know the state where this quilt was made?

South Carolina (SC)

Do you know the country where this quilt was made?

United States

Do you know the time period when this quilt was made?

1850-1875

Do you know when the family said this quilt was made?

1864

Date provided by someone else, like a quilt appraiser:

c1860

Do you know who made it (quiltmaker's name)?

Lindsay, Martha (Mattie) Clark McCaslan

How did you happen to get the quilt?

Inheritance

Details on how you got the quilt:

Inherited from parents

Do you know if she made other quilts? Do any of them still exist? Where are they now?
Did the quiltmaker leave any letters or diaries that you know of? Where are these?
Do you have quilts made by other people?
Do you have relatives or friends who have quilts or make quilts?

This maker made other quilts. There are two pictures when the quiltmaker was young, and one when she was old. There is another quilt belonging to my uncle made for my grandfather when he was a teenager. It was made by the girls in his community and given to him for his future household. Each girl embroidered her name on her square. It might be c. 1890-95. Much of her crochet work still exists. The quiltmaker left a few letters. Owner has husband's Civil War diary.

Did she quilt this herself? Or did someone else do it or help her with it?

Lindsay, Martha (Mattie) Clark McCaslan

Quiltmaker's ethnic background/tribal affiliation:

Scotch-Irish

Are there any interesting stories about this quilt?

This quilt is 8th in her series.

Are there any interesting stories about the quiltmaker?

Made quilt while her husband served in the Confederate army. Family stories say she was possessed of much nervous energy and could never sit a moment without her fingers flying as she worked on some project. Dr. Lindsay's father Squire Lindsay gave land and erected 1st buildings at Erskine College. Main building Lindsay Hall burned a few years ago. Dr. A.B.C. Lindsay carried bricks for the building when a boy. Lost 2 brothers in the Civil War

Was this quilt ever in a contest?

Mrs. Lindsay was widely known as an expert needlewoman and won many prizes at various fairs.

This is a:

Finished quilt

Quilt width:

86"

Quilt length:

92"

Design; applique:

Hand Applique

Design:

Block pattern

Pattern Name:

Carolina Medallion

Source of name; maker; owner, book:

Jan Murphy article in Uncoverings 1987

Fabric styles:

Print

Predominant Colors:

Green; White

Block orientation:

Straight

Set:

Side by side

Number of quilt blocks:

9

Number of borders:

1

Describe the borders:

green

Width of pieces on the back:

26"

Notes on backing:

Domestic

Notes on the binding:

Bottom folded over

Batting materials:

Cotton

Batting loft:

Thin

Needlework; excellent; good; utilitarian; hand; machine:

The needlework techniques are excellent.

Quilting:

Hand quilting

Quilting description:

Parallel lines

Condition:

Very good/almost new

Type of inscription:

Message; Signature

What is inscribed on the quilt?

"A.B.C. Lindsay 186? Presented by his wife." This quilt is 8th in her series.

What is the date inscribed on the quilt?

186?

Details

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Access and copyright information:

Restricted

Copyright holder:

All rights reserved, McKissick Museum, University of South Carolina