Name/Title
Pennsylvania coverlet by S.B. Musselman for David Benner, 1847, tied beiderwand; No. 681Entry/Object ID
2008.1.293Description
This figured & fancy coverlet was woven by Samuel B. Musselman in Hilltown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania for David Benner in 1847. The two cornerblocks read "S. B. Musselman Coverlet Weaver Hiltaun [sic] Bucks. Co No. 681."
David Benner was born on January 5th, 1822 to Jacob Benner and Catherine Wombald of Bucks County, PA (Find A Grave). In 1850, he was living as a farmer in Rockhill Township, Bucks County with his wife Esther and his young sons Milton and John (1850 census). By 1860 the Benner's had added two more children Mary Ann and Emeline (1860 census). In 1874, Esther passed away; David later remarried Lovina Gerhardt. David passed away on April 12, 1896.
The coverlet was woven full-width and has no center seam. It has a curling leaf centerfield pattern with clover bursts; the pattern repeats horizontally six and a half times. It has a floral urn border on the sides and bottom. The coverlet has dark navy, red, and light green wool pattern weft on undyed cotton ground with self-fringe on the sides and applied fringe on the bottom. The tied Beiderwand weave structure uses light blue cotton tie-down threads in a 2:1 warp ratio.Collection
Foster and Muriel McCarl CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2008.1Source or Donor
McCarl, Foster & MurielAcquisition Method
GiftCredit Line
gift of Foster & Muriel McCarlMade/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Musselman, Samuel B[eidler]Role
WeaverDate made
1847Place
Township
Hilltown TownshipCounty
Bucks CountyState/Province
PennsylvaniaCountry
United States of AmericaNotes
Woven for David BennerWoven Textile Details
Weave Type
Tied Beiderwand 4:1Warp
Warp Colors
NaturalWarp Materials
CottonWeft
Weft Colors
Natural, Navy, Red, GreenWeft Materials
Cotton, WoolInscription/Signature/Marks
Type
Cornerblock inscriptionLocation
LL, LRTranscription
S.B. MUS/SELMAN/COVERLET/WEAVER/HILTAUN/BUCKS.CO/No. 681Material/Technique
WovenType
Cornerblock inscriptionLocation
LRTranscription
THIS/COVERLET/BELONGS/TO/DAVID/BENNER/1847Material/Technique
WovenType
Border inscriptionTranscription
PENNSYLVANOther Names and Numbers
Other Numbers
Number Type
Other NumberOther Number
McCarl No. 326
