Recently, I had the privilege to display and discuss three Quaker signature quilts at the American Quilt Study Group Seminar opening event. The quilts are part of the museum collection from the Historical Society of Moorestown. Two of the quilts originate from Moorestown. One was made for Anna Warrington, Jr. and is signed by a number of familiar Moorestown names – Stokes, Warrington, Buzby, Hooton, Matlack, as well as a few from Gloucester County- Mickle, Pike, and Kaighn. The earliest date on this quilt is 1841. The second quilt from Moorestown requires more research.
The third quilt originates from Philadelphia. Students of the Aimwell School presented it to their teacher Susan D. Powell in 1847. The Aimwell School was a Quaker school begun in Philadelphia in 1796 for poor Quaker girls. The intent of the school was to give these less privileged girls a proper education.
Below are some photos from the show. Included are a few signatures from the Quaker quilts along with close-ups of fabric swatches from the quilts. The quilt on display behind me is owned privately. It was made in Pottsgrove, PA where I spent my childhood.
