Civil War quilt made in Yates Center returns to its home community
A Yates Center sewing circle created this quilt in 1865, a heartfelt contribution to the welfare of the men at war.
By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian
“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 4, No. 20
YATES –“When the war (American Civil War) began in 1861, neither the Union nor the Confederate governments had enough uniforms, tents, blankets or even bandages for their armed forces. Women on both sides of the conflict stepped up to fill the enormous need, volunteering their labor and resources. They quickly became essential to keeping the soldiers well-nourished, clothed and warm.” {1}
Remarkably, a quilt completed by a sewing circle in the Town of Yates hamlet of Yates Center on February 5, 1865, survives intact. What is even more remarkable is that the quilt which resurfaced in 2010, following some 145 years in obscurity, was returned to its homeplace in 2022, thanks to the efforts of members of the Yates Baptist Church.
As they stitched and knitted, sewing circle ladies on both sides of the cause referred to their needles as “weapons” or “daggers.” They identified as fellow fighters with their “brothers in the field.” Soldiers were appreciative of the comfort of the blankets and quilts sent.
Using assorted fabric scraps, the Yates Center ladies created forty colorful 8” square blocks in the Album Block pattern. The material used for the backing and border was most likely an everyday dress fabric, which must have been a sacrifice since there was a shortage of fabric after three years of war.
Block patterns were favored as the quilters could easily work on their respective part of the project at their convenience and the quilt could be easily assembled. Quilters could also personalize their squares by signing them, or by including uplifting or encouraging messages.
Some of the signatures and verses have since faded. Pam Farewell used online census and cemetery records to help decipher the names. They include:
“Brave soldier, thou will ever be remembered.” – Sarah D. Lott
“March on to Victory” – Mrs. P. Lewis
“Wake, arise ye sons of freedom,
Bravely die but never yield,
While the signal drums are beating,
Marching to the battlefield.” – Sophronia Clark.
The quilt was completed on February 5, 1865. The end of the war was still several weary battles away. It was most likely donated to the US Sanitary Commission, the agency in charge of contributions from regional aid societies to hospitals and battlefields.
Its subsequent history is a mystery. Quilt collector Jane Garrod Chinault acquired it at an auction, date unknown. She displayed it at a quilt show in York, PA in 2010 where it fortuitously came to the attention of Sue Farwell Hauser, formerly of Yates Center, who, naturally enough, was immediately intrigued by its Yates Center connection. Sue contacted her sister-in-law, Pam Farwell, who arranged to borrow the quilt for a weekend in 2010 for a display at the Yates Baptist Church.
In 2022, church members again requested permission to display the quilt, this time as part of their bicentennial celebrations, at which point Ms. Chinault graciously decided to donate the quilt, stating that she felt relieved that it would have a permanent place to reside, “that it had returned home and will be well cared for.”
Karen Breeze was instrumental in researching how best to conserve and display this unique quilt. Church and family members assisted. Memorial funds were provided by the Bentley and Breeze families. The initiative concluded with a U-Haul road-trip to retrieve the framed quilt from Massachusetts. It is now on display at the Yates Baptist Church. Contact Karen at the church office (585) 765-2136 to arrange a tour.
The quilt is referenced in the book “Homefront & Battlefield: Quilts and Context in the Civil War” {1} by Madelyn C. Shaw and Lynne Z. Bassett, 2012, available for loan through the NIOGA Library system.
