Hitty Quilt

I once tried to make a "Log Cabin Quilt" for the Hittys, however, I am not much of a seamstress and cutting those small pieces of fabric and assembling them was not agreeing with me. Finally, I broke down and bid on one on ebay, it is a lovely quilt made by Julie Vernon.  But the Hittys kept pestering me for a piece of Grammy Poore's quilt telling me it reminded them of the old quilt that belongs to Ancestor Hitty. Today, they got their wish, I have agreed to take off one of the rows from the quilt so they could enjoy having a piece of Grammy Poore for their rooms.

This is the original quilt top, the backing is missing.  Although beautiful in the photo, it is very old looking with stains and places that are threadbare but I feel fortunate to still have this piece from my mother's great grandmother. After sharing a piece with the Hittys I plan on using the remaing quilt for a lap quilt.

Grammy Poore (born Mary Forsey) was born September 27, 1841 in Grand Bank Newfoundland, she passed away on October 19, 1939 in Bangor, Maine at the age of 98.

Not one to accept charity, after the death of her husband she took over his job as postmaster in Central Kingsclear, New Brunswick, Canada.  She had six children to raise and educate and did so without outside aide.  Five of those children lived to adulthood.  She enjoyed housework, knitting, sewing, reading the Bible, newspapers and magazines.

Through some of my research into my family history I was able to find two newspaper articles written about her on her 96th and 98th birthdays.  I also have copies of a few of her letters, pictures, and death certificate.  From what I learned she seemed like an extraordinary woman made from "sturdy English stock." 
Although I never knew Grammy Poore, the stories my mother and great aunt told me along with the memorabelia that I have collected and this quilt makes me feel close to her.  I don't regret sharing it with The Hittys as I took one row off to share and still have enough intact to use for a lap quilt or twin quilt. 

Our Hitty B and B is named Grammy Poore's Bread and Breakfast in her honor.