Name/Title
Dennis Mills 2024 donation coverlet #1Entry/Object ID
2024.1.1Description
Dennis Mills 2024 donation coverlet #1
Transcription notes:
Overshot Coverlet 1830-40
Ref. Keep Me Warm One Night
Burnhams #310
Unidentified Weaver
Found in Adolphustown, Ontario, Lennox & Addington Co.
No name attached to the early pattern
This coverlet represents one of my best early finds. It was purchased about 1975 from
Some Other Time Antiques in Streetsville. The dealer David Hamilton Wells had
purchased in L & A a few months before.
As the Burnhams state: the example in the ROM is dated 1800-20 due to use of linen in
the warp. “The pattern is of special interest as it is the same as that of one of the
earliest North American overshot coverlets known. Dated 1784 and probably from near
Albany, New York. (Collecting Coverlet [illegible] of American.
It is no surprise that this example and the ROM 310 example were both found in the
early Loyalist settlement founded 1784 at Adolphustown, Lennox and Addington. The
weaver was probably of UEL roots who was familiar with the pattern from New York.
This example has blue (green tinge) red and brown wool on a natural white cotton warp
(suggesting a later date).
“The main motif of ‘stars’ reverses in alternate repeats to produce a long and tantalizing
[illegible] layout” Burnham.
Condition: Very good – excellent – small separation at top of seam join of the two
panels. Very interesting colour combination – brown is early natural dye?
Source: David Wells, Some Other Time Antiques, Streetsville, c. 1975 – One of the
expensive early purchases @400.00.
Dimensions: 85” (218 cm) l x 63 ½” (161 cm) w
It has the feel of an early piece of weaving – could be pre-1830. Unfortunately, no family
history was recorded by the seller.Collection
Dennis Mills CollectionCataloged By
Rob ChildsMade/Created
Time Period
1830-40Place
* Untyped Place
probably Adolphustown, Ontario, Lennox & Addington Co.Lexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
CoverletNomenclature Primary Object Term
BedcoverNomenclature Class
BeddingNomenclature Category
Category 02: FurnishingsColor
Blue, Red, Brown, geen tinge to the blue colouringLocation
Location
* Untyped Location
Temporary Artifact Storage RoomDate
November 13, 2024Created By
robchilds1985@gmail.comCreate Date
November 13, 2024Updated By
robchilds1985@gmail.comUpdate Date
November 13, 2024
