Quilt, Stowe-LeGeyt Crazy
Stowe-LeGeyt Crazy Quilt
1885 – 1890 (Date manufactured/created)
36" W
36" L
This quilt has strong ties to the Avon Congregational Church. The quilt dates from 1885-1890, and was made in Avon. It is likely that the quilt makers were Avon residents Mary Thompson Stowe (1851-1927) and her young stepdaughter, Lena Stowe LeGeyt (1877-1961).
Lena's mother, Abigail Wheeler Stowe (1850-1882) had died in 1882, a month after delivering her son Howard, and when Lena was about five years old. As it would have been customary to make a memorial quilt to mark the death of a loved one, it is possible that the new Mrs. Stowe taught Lena how to sew and quilt. The quilt's playful images and colors would have especially appealed to a young girl.
The Stowe family lived in the center of Avon, and belonged to the Avon Congregational Church. Lena's father, Walter Stowe, (1845-1937) was a sewing machine salesman, and sold sewing machines from the back of his horse-drawn carriage. His family had access to the latest in sewing technology and fashion, and presumably has a wide variety of fabrics.
The Stowe-LeGeyt Crazy Quilt came to the Avon Historical Society through family descendants. Lena Stowe LeGeyt's husband, John W. LeGeyt, was Avon's postmaster and grocer. They had two daughters, Maida and Zora, Maida LeGeyt was just twelve years old in 1915 when she completed a booklet showcasing her own sewing skills--no doubt nurtured by her mother. The booklet was Maida's 6th grade sewing exercise booklet, part of Avon's Towpath School curriculum. It features Maida's simple and fancy stitches, and her doll clothes sized samples. Her work won the schools, "First Prize for Sample Stitches".
This quilt was featured in the 2013 Harvest Quilt Show at the Avon Congregational Church.
2013.002