Name/Title
Dennis Mills 2024 donation coverlet #12Entry/Object ID
2024.1.12Description
Dennis Mills 2024 donation coverlet #12
Transcription notes:
Overshot Coverlet c. 1875
Ref. Burnhams Keep Me Warm One Night #330
Caroline Parrish possible weaver
Ontario Fenton Twsp. (looks like ‘Fenton’ in notes but more likely ‘Fenelon’)
Victoria County
This is another dramatic and aesthetically pleasing two piece overshot with expertly
matched centre seam. The weft in woolen blue indigo and bright red on a natural white
cotton warp. The blue wool is a softer blue than the usual indigo. Dyes for these colors
were readily available throughout most of the 20 th century.
It is a remarkable piece of weaving in as new unwashed condition. A near identical
example in the Royal Ontario Museum was woven by Mrs. Caroline Parrish at Powles
Corners near Fenelon Falls about 1875. The draft of that example is described as a
very unusual variation on “Freemason’s Felicity”. To have another one appear could
suggest the same weaver [illegible] their example – possible.
This example spent many years in the Empey Hill area of Lennox and Addington
County prior in Marysville, Hastings, once owned by Florence Esther Winter née Abbott.
She was born in the area in 1899 or 1901. Born in Kingsford RR#1, Marysville, Hastings
County.
Condition: Excellent as new. Unwashed. Purchased 01-28-23 [illegible] Auctions,
Nappanee from [illegible] abbott consignment [illegible] $257.10. No links established
between Abbott family and C. Parrish.
Dimensions: 83” (211 cm) l. with fringe, 79 ½” (202 cm) l. without fringe
66 ¼” (168 cm) w. - very similar size to ROM example, making stronger
link to Caroline Parrish example.
Florence Abbott b. 1901 (or 1899) d. Nov 15 1972 m. Ralph Winter 1933. The coverlet
therefore was woven @ 25 years before her birth and probably passed down from her
parents Asa and Lillie (Sweet) Abbott. This area of L & A and Hastings Counties had
some excellent professional weave. (meant to say ‘weavers’ I assume.Collection
Dennis Mills CollectionCataloged By
Rob ChildsMade/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Possibly Caroline ParrishRole
weaverTime Period
C. 1875Place
* Untyped Place
possible Fenelon Township, Victoria County, OntarioLocation
CanadaLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
CoverletNomenclature Primary Object Term
BedcoverNomenclature Class
BeddingNomenclature Category
Category 02: FurnishingsDimensions
Width
168 cmLength
211 cmDimension Notes
length measurement is with fringe without fringe collector states 202 cmColor
indigo blue, Red, WhiteLocation
Location
* Untyped Location
Temporary Artifact Storage RoomDate
November 20, 2024Created By
robchilds1985@gmail.comCreate Date
November 20, 2024Updated By
robchilds1985@gmail.comUpdate Date
November 20, 2024
