| LeMoyne Star
Rebecca Brickley
Ionia, Ionia County, Michigan
1866
Cotton
68” x 78”
MSUM 7245.1, Gift of William F. Brickley
Photo by KEVA, all rights reserved Michigan State
University Museum
| Donor William J. Brickley, provided the following
information about Rebecca Brickley, who was born in Pennsylvania
on May 3, 1820 |
| |
This quilt was made by my great-grandmother Rebbeca
Brickley, wife of Jacob Brickley, who died of cancer of the
breast October 18, 1866, at the age of 46 years, 6 mos. and
15 days.
In 1865 my great-grandmother discovered that she had cancer
of the breast. She told the family, "You all want to go
to Michigan, so we will go this year so I won't be left behind."
In the fall of 1865 they had harvested the crops and sold the
farm in Niagara County, New York. Then they started for Michigan
with their possessions in wagons and with cows tied behind the
wagons. They left Lockport, New York, in the late fall and travelled
all winter to reach Ionia, Michigan, in the spring of 1866.
Great-grandmother made the quilt for my grandfather while she
was dying. Grandfather was very choice of this quilt and refused
to have it used. His daughter and then I have respected his
wishes, and the quilt has not been used. That is why it is 120
years old and in original condition. |
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