Name/Title
New York coverlet by Harry Tyler for Catharine Shurtleff, 1839, doubleweaveEntry/Object ID
2008.1.341Description
This figured & fancy coverlet was woven by Harry Tyler in Jefferson County, New York for Catharine Shurtleff in 1839. The two cornerblocks read "Catharine Shurtleff 1839." The border reads "Jefferson Co. Ny."
Catharine Shurtleff was born November 18, 1784 in Le Ray, Jefferson County to Isaac Churchill and Nancy Phillips. On March 12, 1802, she married Abiel Shurtleff of Plympton, Mass. in Little Falls, Herkimer County, NY (Find A Grave). Their seven children: Nancy, Isaac, Milo, Harriet, Sophia, Mary Ann, and Almerson were born in Le Ray, NY (Descendants of William Shurtleff of Plymouth and Marshfield, Massachusetts). Briefly the family moved back to Massachusetts around 1830, but they returned to Philadelphia, Jefferson County, NY by 1839 (1830 census; 1840 census). "Abiel owned a farm on the Ore Bed Road, Philadelphia, NY. Iron ore was discovered on his farm and was used at Carthage, Redwood, Antwerp and Sterlingville blast furnaces." Abiel was a prominent citizen in the area as the first town meeting was held at his house and he "was elected first Commissioner of Highways for the Town of Philadelphia on April 3, 1821."(Find A Grave; Hough's History of Jefferson County, NY; Jefferson County centennial, 1905 : speeches, addresses, and stories of the towns). Abiel died in 1861 and Catharine died in 1862 (Find A Grave).
The coverlet was woven in two panels, which are joined by a center seam. It has a floral medallion centerfield pattern with star and blossom motifs; the pattern repeats horizontally four times. It has borders of trees and fences on the sides and bottom. The doubleweave structure combines a layer of undyed cotton with a layer of dark blue wool. It has no fringe.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
Tyler, HarryRole
WeaverDate made
1839Place
County
Jefferson CountyState/Province
New YorkCountry
United States of AmericaNotes
Woven for Catharine ShurtleffInscription/Signature/Marks
Type
Inscription, Cornerblock inscriptionLocation
LL, LRTranscription
CATHARINE/SHURTLEFFMaterial/Technique
WovenType
Border inscriptionLocation
upper edge of bottom borderTranscription
JEFFERSON. CO. NY.Other Names and Numbers
Other Numbers
Number Type
Other NumberOther Number
McCarl No. 251Dimensions
Width
76 inLength
86-1/2 in
