1938 Friendship Quilt
Submitted by Ron Partin
Fire destroyed the home of Lula Ritter and her grandchildren, Harold and Marie Westbrook in November of 1938. Lula was the widow of John "Pink" Ritter and an aunt of Tex Ritter. Following the best tradition of personal help, friends and neighbors pitched in to aid the homeless family. They brought clothing, housewares and other items to help the family recover. One local merchant donated a new set of cookware. I still have three of the skillets.
Neighbors and relatives made two "friendship quilts." Each woman made a 12" x 12" patchwork square, embroidering her name across the block. Many incorporated scraps cut from old tobacco sacks.
One quilt top (which was never completed with a backing) survives and contained the following names:
Mrs. F. Sharp
Laudie Graves
Lela Koonce
Ethel Ritter
Alien Marshall
Nells Graves
Carrie Ritter
Ade Collins
Beatrice Langford
Mrs. J.D. (or S.) Ritter, Carthage , March 7, 1939
Alice Collins
Ruby Ritter
Gladys Ritter
Cecil Langford
Lillian Grafton
Madie Bell Marfield (?)
Lois Collins
The other quilt was used by Marie and her family for many years and eventually wore out. Some of the names from that quilt included:
Bettie Adams
Hattie Ball
Ola Ball
Mrs. R.C. Beauchamp
Lena Beasley, Nov. 16, 1938
Clara Brannon
Mrs. L.W. Boatman
Irene Campbell
Nannie Daniel
Eva Downing
Lemma Dry
Jewel Heaton
Mrs. C.C. Sharpe
Verna Smith
Reba Stone
Gertie Sullivan
If anyone is interested in receiving any of the blocks from the second quilt, please contact Ron Partin. The condition of the individual blocks varies. About half are in pretty good shape, suitable for framing.
Ron Partin
60 Beaumont Dr.
Hendersonville, NC 28739
rpartin@bgnet.bgsu.edu