Ozark Coverlet Project

A brown and tan coverlet made by Jane Williamson Sherrill (1826-1905) prior to 1861 while living in southwest Arkansas. She carded the wool, spun the thread, and made the dyes using nut and earth stains. She wove the coverlet on a loom. Gift of Pat Sexton, 2019.11.1

Jane married Finess Ewing Sherrill (February 20, 1827 Alabama - August 24, 1865) in Russellville, Franklin County, Alabama, on February 11, 1849. They apparently eloped. Together, they had at least 4 children: Sarah Jane Sherill Crain (November 25, 1849 Alabama - April 16, 1898 Falcon, Nevada Co., AR), Thomas Jefferson Sherrill (October 25, 1854 Columbia Co., AR - November 11, 1901 Nevada Co., AR), Amanda Clementine "Mandy" Sherrill Mitchell (September 20, 1859 Columbia Co., AR - October 29, 1924 Willisville, Nevada Co., AR), and Margarette Franklin Sherrill (December 19, 1861-December 7, 1936)

Sherrill presented four of these coverlets to her daughter Margarette when she married James Monroe Kitchens (August 12, 1856-December 17, 1935) in 1878.

Margarette and James had 11 children: Wade Hampton (1878-1966), George Thomas (1884-1965), Herschell Monroe (1886-1959), Clyde Bernard (1897-1984), Thelma Kitchens Loomis (1901-1952), Dr. W. L., Homer, Dr. Chester, Mrs. Donnie Smith, Mrs. Lula Babb, Mrs. Ewell Jenkins, Dr. Bert.

Historic Arkansas Museum

Our wonderful friend and very creative person did a blog post on the Ozark Coverlet Project. Thank you Crow!

Interview: Ozark Coverlet Project by Laura Redford and Marty Benson Spread the love Have you ever wondered why those family heirlooms are so precious?  In the 1800s women performed magical feats that took months. They started with sheep and transformed their fur into beautifully detailed woven bed-coverings.  Beyond clever, many women had their own original design...