The Filson Historical Society Digital Projects

Piece of tow linen, circa 1813

Item

https://filsonhistoricalimages.files.wordpress.com/2022/12/1913_1_19.jpg

Title

Piece of tow linen, circa 1813

Description

A piece of tow linen (has a coarse texture) used for a bedtick, a bag shaped mattress stuffed with feathers and straw. Likely the fiber for this coverlet was cultivated on the family farm. Another textile from this family came with a note stating that according to family narrative that the flax was grown, spun, and woven by enslaved persons on the Winton Plantation. Elizabeth and/or an enslaved person may have spun the fiber at home, then it was likely turned over to an enslaved weaver.

Source

1913.1.19, Museum Collection, The Filson Historical Society, Louisville, Kentucky

Date

Identifier

1913.1.19

Coverage

Citation

Meredith, Elizabeth Breckinridge and Unknown (Enslaved person in Virginia), active circa 1813, “Piece of tow linen, circa 1813,” The Filson Historical Society Digital Projects, accessed March 28, 2024, https://filsonhistorical.omeka.net/items/show/5838.