Block 2. A Stitch in Time

by Terry Thornton
email: hillcountrymonroecounty@gmail.com

A stitch in time . . . Block 2 of the circa 1931 Friendship Quilt in the Museum of the Itawamba County Hisorical Society

McFERRIN, Gorden, Block 02

Gorden M. McFerrin, 20, is listed as the son of Mattie C. McFerrin whose name also appears on Block 2. The Keron McFerrin listed on Block 2 is probably Robert K., Gorden's brother.

In the 1930 census of Mantachie, Thomas L. McFerrin, 54, is enumerated as a merchant. In this household were wife Mattie C., 45, son Gorden M., 20, and son Robert K., 17.

McFERRIN, Keron, Block 02

Keron McFerrin is listed on a quilt block with his mother, Mattie McFerrin and his brother Gorden. His full name was Robert Keron McFerrin.

Robert K. McFerrin, 17, was listed on the 1930 census of Mantachie as the son of merchant Thomas L. McFerrin, 54, and Mattie C., 45. He had a brother, Gorden M., 20.

According to IHS member Kermit McFerrin, this is R. Keron McFerrin. Born in 1912 in Lee County and moved to Mantachie in 1918, Keron McFerrin married Dorothy Waddle McFerrin. They had two children: Jennifer McFerrin and Randy McFerrin.

McFERRIN, Mattie, Block 02

Mattie C. McFerrin is listed as the 45 year-old wife of merchant Thomas L. McFerrin on the 1930 Mantachie census. Thomas L., 54, and her sons Gorden M., 20, and Robert K., 17, were included in the household.

Mattie K. Beene McFerrin, 1885 - 1949 is listed by Burton-Cruber as buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Kermit McFerrin states that Mattie Beene McFerrin was the wife of T.L. McFerrin. She was born in Itawamba County and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Mantachie.

McFERRIN, Orvil, Block 02 and O.K. McFerring, Block 21

According to IHS members Kermit McFerrin and Joe Sheffield, this is Orville K. McFerrin.

Orville K. McFerrin is listed as 23 years old, a clerk in a general store, and a resident of Mantachie on the 1930 census. He was married to Gladis L., 20, and had a daughter Midfred I., age 1.

Merchant, land owner, gin owner Mantachie resident O.K. McFerrin was the husband of Gladys Cummings McFerrin. They had three children: Midfred McFerrin Camp, A.K. McFerrin, and J.H. McFerrin.

O.K. McFerrin was born July 13, 1905 in Lee County and he died May 4, 1965. He is buried in Mantachie Cemetery.

Circa 1931 Friendship Quilt Inspiration for 2010 Friendship Quilt

The Itawamba Historical Society is sponsoring a 2010 Friendship-Memory Quilt inspired by the circa 1931 quilt from which this block was photographed. If you would like to join the Society in this fund-raising effort, contact the Society at its offices at the Corner of Church Street and Museum Drive in Mantachie, Mississippi, or write the Society at P.O. Box 7, Mantachie, MS 38855. Telephone inquiries may be made to 662-282-7664.

Subscribe to the quilt and have names embroidered on the 2010 Friendship-Memory Quilt at $10 per name. Memorials and business names may also be inscribed on the quilt.

Quilters are needed! Watch for announcements for the quilting bees scheduled to finished this quilt in a series of public quilts bees at the Society's auditorium in Mantachie. Come join the fun of quilting. Beginning and advanced quilters are welcomed! Bring you own needle and thimble.

SOURCES:

Family information from Memories from Itawamba County: A Friendship Quilt circa 1931 --- A Stitch in Time by Terry Thornton with assistance from Members of the Itawamba Historical Society, Itawamba Settlers, Quarterly Journal of Itawamba County, Mississippi History and Genealogy, Winter 2009, Pages 143-61.

Square from 1931 Friendship Quilt photographed by Terry Thornton, September 4, 2009, Bond's House Museum, Itawamba Historical Society, Mantachie, Mississippi.