Pioneer Day in Utah is a special occasion, celebrated near the end of July. It’s a day to remember the arrival of the first non-native settlers in 1847. Among the many fascinating stories from this era, there’s a particularly captivating tale of a pioneer quilt that was literally cut in two. Fortunately, both halves of this remarkable textile survived, each telling a part of the story of the women who created it. And within this story, there’s a personal connection that resonates deeply.
But before we delve into this unique quilt, let’s touch upon the broader context of pioneer quilts and their significance.
The Legacy of Pioneer Quilts in American History
Pioneer quilts are more than just bedding; they are tangible pieces of history, reflecting the resourcefulness, resilience, and artistry of women who shaped the American West. As settlers moved westward, quilts became essential items, providing warmth and comfort in harsh and unfamiliar environments. These quilts were often made from necessity, utilizing scraps of fabric and repurposed materials, but they also served as expressions of creativity and community.
Volunteering as a recreation pioneer | The Tale of a Pioneer Quilt, Cut in Two by popular quilting blog, Diary of a Quilter: image of a girl sitting on a porch, dressed in pioneer era clothing and working a block quilt.
My own fascination with pioneer history is deeply personal. Many of my ancestors were among those intrepid pioneers who journeyed across the continent into uncharted territories. Years ago, I had the wonderful experience of volunteering with my children at the Heritage Park Deseret Village in Salt Lake City. This living history museum recreates a mid-19th-century western settlement, and immersing ourselves in that era provided invaluable memories, especially now that my children are grown.
Later, a family trip to the Grand Canyon led us to Snowflake, Arizona, another settlement founded by my ancestors in the late 19th century. There, in their preserved family home-turned-museum, I discovered a treasure trove: quilts crafted by three generations of my female ancestors, including my great-grandmother. While I don’t possess any heirloom quilts directly from my lineage, finding these quilts in Arizona felt like uncovering a lost chapter of my family history.
Now, let’s turn to the specific story of the pioneer quilt that was divided, a story intertwined with my own family narrative.
The Pioneer Quilt Divided: A Tale of Two Halves
This story centers around my Grandma, who passed away a few years ago. Sharing it now feels like a fitting tribute. It began about 27 years ago, as I was concluding my missionary service in northern England. My parents visited me there, and I was eager to show them Downham, a charming village in Lancashire’s Ribble River valley that I had grown to love.
The Tale of a Pioneer Quilt, Cut in Two by popular quilting blog, Diary of a Quilter: image of a street in Downham, England.
The evening before our visit, while looking through family history information my Dad had brought, I made an exciting discovery: my Great-Great-Great Grandmother, Ellen Douglas Parker, was born in Downham! This revelation deepened my connection to the village.
Fast forward about a decade. I was married, raising young children, and working at a local quilt shop. A customer mentioned a book about an Album Quilt made in Salt Lake City in 1857, just ten years after the pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. The author, Carol Holindrake Nielsen, had inherited half of this quilt – yes, it had been cut in half! – a detail she found incredibly intriguing.
Through genealogical research, the two halves of the quilt were reunited in 2004. Carol Nielsen felt a strong sense of responsibility, believing that “the posterity of the women who sewed the quilt must see the needlework of their ancestral mothers,” and that their stories deserved to be told.
The Tale of a Pioneer Quilt, Cut in Two by popular quilting blog, Diary of a Quilter: image of a hand stitched block quilt.
These quilt blocks were created by women of the Relief Society, a women’s organization, as a fundraising effort. The blocks showcase a diverse range of quilting skills, from simple to incredibly elaborate. Each block was signed, album quilt style, which allowed Carol Nielsen to research each woman and uncover their individual stories.
Interestingly, some blocks were trimmed to create the side-setting blocks, a testament to the practicalities of quilt construction, even if we might wonder about the original makers’ feelings regarding those alterations!
The raffle for the quilt was won by a 12-year-old boy. Perhaps unexpectedly, he later made a significant decision regarding the quilt’s future. Instead of choosing between his two daughters to inherit the whole quilt, he chose to cut the pioneer quilt in half.
Fortunately, both daughters cherished their respective halves, passing them down through generations, ensuring the quilt’s survival and continued story.
Intrigued by this introduction and my love for pioneers, history, quilts, and antiques, I had to read the book. As I read about the women contributors, I was astonished to find one of them was Ellen Parker!
Discovering that this ancestor was a skilled quilter was an amazing revelation. Without this book and quilt, I might never have known this aspect of her life, as no quilts of hers were known to have survived.
The Tale of a Pioneer Quilt, Cut in Two by popular quilting blog, Diary of a Quilter: image of an antique quilt block with hand stitched strawberries.
Ellen’s block, it turned out, was one of the most exquisite in the entire quilt. Shortly after reading the book, my mother learned that the author was giving a lecture and bringing her half of the quilt. I immediately took my grandmother, Ellen’s great-great-granddaughter, to see it. Ellen’s block was in the half being shown, allowing us to see her needlework firsthand.
It was breathtaking. The applique was unlike anything I had ever seen – incredibly delicate and intricate. The strawberry stems and tiny yellow stitches forming the strawberry seeds were particularly remarkable. I deeply regret not having taken a photo, but this was before smartphones and blogging were common.
My grandmother felt a profound connection to her heritage that day. Inspired, I decided to recreate Ellen’s quilt block. Knowing I couldn’t replicate the needle-turn applique perfectly, I opted for wool felt applique on raw silk, which offers a textured, homespun aesthetic and is easier to work with. I created a wall hanging for my grandmother as a Christmas gift in 2005.
After Grandma’s passing, the wall hanging returned to my home. It’s a cherished reminder not only of Ellen Douglas, my pioneering ancestor, but also of my own grandmother.
Ellen’s quilting skill suggests she likely made many quilts throughout her life. Sadly, no others are known to exist. This makes the survival of her block in the Salt Lake City album quilt, and the efforts to preserve and share its story, all the more significant. We owe a debt to 12-year-old Richard Horne for passing down the quilt and to Carol Holindrake Nielsen for her dedication in sharing the stories of the women behind it, allowing descendants like myself to witness “the needlework of [our] ancestral mothers.”
The Tale of a Pioneer Quilt, Cut in Two by popular quilting blog, Diary of a Quilter: image of a woman standing in a cemetery in Downham, England.
Ellen Parker’s Pioneer Journey Continues
Ellen’s story extends beyond quilting. She emigrated to the United States in the 1840s and joined the Pioneer Migration westward to Utah in the 1850s. By 1860, she and her husband were asked to help establish a new settlement named Virgin, Utah, near present-day Zion National Park. Having visited her birthplace in Downham, England, I felt compelled to find her final resting place in Virgin City Cemetery.
During a fall break trip home from Zion National Park in 2016, I made that visit. The stark contrast between the cemeteries of Downham, England, and Virgin, Utah, is striking. While I personally find the English countryside more appealing, I deeply admire the resilience of my foremothers who pioneered such challenging landscapes.
I am proud to feel a connection to their quilting talents and hope to embody their tough, pioneer spirit.
Do you have quilters in your ancestry or special quilts in your family history? I would love to hear your stories in the comments below!
