Name/Title
CoverletEntry/Object ID
2025.17.01Description
Indigo and white geometric pattern, off-white tassels on one side, c. 1815-20.Cataloged By
Zachary DoucetteLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
CoverletNomenclature Primary Object Term
BedcoverNomenclature Class
BeddingNomenclature Category
Category 02: FurnishingsDimensions
Width
71 inLength
93-1/2 inDimension Notes
Length of textile excluding fringe is 89.5".Location
Location
Shelf
Rolled StorageRoom
Rolled Storage RoomBuilding
M.V.T.M.Category
PermanentMoved By
Sadie BadourDate
November 23, 2025General Notes
Note Type
Historical NoteNote
Transcription of Dennis Mills' handwritten notes on this coverlet:
"Summer Winter Coverlet 1815-20
attrib. Reuben Landon
perhaps South Crosby Twsp.
Leeds County
Ref. Keep Me Warm One Night - Burnhams #359 + #360
This subtle but appealing summer-winter coverlet is rare and unique in several ways. Examples of this early type of handweaving is uncommon and only appeared in few examples in early Canadian settlements, usually with strong United Empire Loyalist connections.
This wonderful early example is linked to two other very similar examples in the ROM. This piece is very similar to #359 (ROM). The coverlet has initials RnL stitched in red wool top central (at the seam). A search of Loyalist settlers makes a match with only RnL as Reuben Landon who was born in Litchfield Connecticut on Jan 11 1776 and settled in Augusta Township in Leeds County and is buried at Read Cemetery in the area. He married Sarah Phillips of Salisbury CT. He is not (yet) named in any early source as a weaver. The occupation line in the 1851 census when he was 75 years old was left blank.
I know from research sources (Heritage Weaving Centre - Clayton NY) that Conn. was known as a major centre for good examples of summer-winter coverlets as well.
He probably arrived as a fully trained weaver to Leeds County early in the 19th C.
Condition: Excellent - very minor surface loss
Source: Purchased from a Brockville antique dealer - 1980 at the Mississauga International Antique show. I spotted in his booth at the back. He had dropped it on the floor behind his booth. He had purchased it as part of a job lot of linens at a recent auction sale in the Brockville area. He was using it as a packing blanket in the back of his truck over his most valuable furniture. He was happy to sell it to me. Cost? $100. A great survivor and miracle to loss.
Dimensions: 93 1/2" (237.5cm) l incl fringe / 89 1/2" (227 cm) l excl fringe
71" (180cm) w
The coverlet used a natural white cotton warp with indigo blue weft.
The mostly early knotted fringe is intact."Create Date
November 23, 2025Update Date
May 13, 2026
