Textile Report
by Jean Potetz
Last winter we missed so many working Thursdays it was impossible to keep count. This year, we haven’t missed a day due to weather – what a difference a year makes! As a result, we’ve had some very productive days in the Textile rooms. In addition to our crew presently working with clothing items, Melba Griffin and Sally Markey have taken on the project of going through the woven coverlets and hand-woven linens before they are stored away in the Textile Storage Room. This large undertaking will speed up the process of vacuuming and boxing these items for storage. Estelle H. Holcomb’s Stars & Stripes Quilt, circa 1861, has again been published in a book on quilt history. Quilt historian and author Sue Reich included our quilt (photograph by Peter Dinella) in her latest book, Quilts – Presidential and Patriotic. The book features historic presidential and patriotic quilts made by American quilters as well as 43 new quilts representing each of our presidents. Estelle H. Holcomb’s quilt is shown on the pages honoring President Lincoln and again as the book’s endpapers. Information about Sue Reich and her books can be found online at www.coveringquilthistory.com. While this summer’s textile exhibit is still in its early planning stages, its main focus will be on children. The display will include needlework and clothing items and, as an aside, more quilts than are usually on exhibit. More information will follow as summer approaches. Many thanks to Alberta Dinella, Melba Griffin, Betsy Henebry, Lucille Ladden, Sally Markey, Pam Palmer, Patty Sansone and Ginny Wutka for their work preserving these items for future generations.
…. story continued from page 2: In coming from Londonderry to this place, we experienced such hospitality from friends on the way, that our expenses were less than four dollars. Here we pay $2.50 per week, and for good board, this is cheap. Several of the public boarding houses charge $10 per week and can accommodate from 150 to 200 boarders each. However, they are not full. The gentleman we board with is an elder of the church here and his house is the common resort of clergymen and pious people. We therefore enjoy the best of society. Saratoga Springs is a neat little village, somewhat larger than Farmington, and is rapidly increasing. Every article of necessity or convenience is here charged at the highest price. I think my health is gradually improving. Phebe is in good health, though she alone has taken care of me through the whole season of my illness. Her care has kept me alive being under favor of the Divine Providence. We hope by the goodness of God, to see you all before we return to New Hampshire. I have hired a man to preach for me in my absence. Give our love to all the family. Tell Samuel I often dream of seeing him. I hoped Samuel would be able to sell your farm and to purchase the Perkins farm for I thought it would greatly improve the worldly interests of the family without impairing their spiritual. But perhaps I did not judge rightly and I suppose you are yet in Granby. Gurdon Hayes is unsettled and gone to Conn. We went to Cambridge to see him, and he was just gone. He was most shamefully treated by the people there. His wife is spoken of as one of the best of women. Phebe unites with me in love to you and to all the family. May the grace of God preserve us all unto His heavenly Kingdom. Your affectionate son, Amasa A. Hayes Unfortunately, Saratoga Springs did not cure Amasa. A little over a year later he died on 23 Oct 1830 in Londonderry, NH, at the age of 32.
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