Block 14. A Stitch in Time

by Terry Thornton
email: hillcountrymonroecounty@gmail.com

A stitch in time. . . Block 14 of the circa 1931 Friendship Quilt in the Museum of the Itawamba County Historical Society

FRANK, T. Mrs., Block 14. The surname is generally spelled FRANKS.

According to IHS member Bob Franks, this is Millie Helen Jane Rodgers Franks, 1883 - 1956, wife of Thomas Richard Franks. On the 1920 census of Mantachie, Millie Helen Franks, 33, is listed with husband Tommie Franks, a farmer, and daughter Beatrace, age 13. See entry for Tomie Franks.

FRANK, Tomie, Block 14. The surname is generally spelled FRANKS.

Tommie Franks, 38, farmer, 38, born in Tennessee, is listed on the Mantachie 1920 census with wife Hellen, 33, and daughter Betrace, age 13.

According to Bob Franks, Thomas Richard Franks was born in 1880, McNairy County, Tennessee, and died 1960 in Itawamba County. He was the son of Samuel H. Franks and Cynthia Wiginton Franks who both died in Itawamba County.

SHEFFIELD, I.L. Jr., Block 14

According to IHS member Joe Sheffield, this is Isaac Lewis Sheffield Jr.

Isaac Sheffield, age 8, is listed in the household of his parents, Isaac L. Sheffield, age 32, and Anna R., age 30, with sisters Fannie, 5, Virginia D, 3, and Martha L. Sheffield on the 1920 census of Fulton. Isaac Sheffield was a lawyer in private practice. Besides his wife and children, living in the household was mother-in-law Anna L. Walker, age 62.

Isic J. Sheffield, age 19, is listed in the 1930 census enumeration of his parents' residence on Clifton Street, Fulton.

SHEFFIELD, I.L., Block 14

According to IHS member Joe Sheffield, this is Isaac Lewis Sheffield.

Isaac Lewis Sheffield is listed on the 1910 Fulton census as living on Tupelo Road. Attorney Sheffield was married to Anna R. Walker, 21. In their 1910 household was boarder Jesse G. Nanney, age 50.

By the 1920 census of Fulton, the household of Isaac L. Sheffield, 32, included his wife Anna R., 30, sons Isaac, 8, and daughters Fannie 5, Virginia D., and Martha L. Sheffield, 5 months. Mr. Sheffield's mother-in-law Anna L. Walker, 62, was enumerated as part of the household.

The 1930 census of Clifton Street, Fulton, lists attorney Issie L. Sheffield, 42, wife Anna R., 40, sons Isic J., 19, Lewis M., 5, daughters Fannie R., 15, Virginia D., 13, Martha L., 10, Hazel W., 7, mother-in-law Lucinda A. Walker, and servant Bob Wilson, 69.

If you have additional information about any of the names on this quilt square, please post a comment below. Your help is needed to "write" the story of this almost eighty-year old quilt.

A stitch in time . . . The 2010 Friendship-Memory Quilt

The 1930s Friendship Quilt is standard-sized and consists of 42 squares. The quilt it inspired, the 2010 Friendship-Memory Quilt, will be king-sized and will contain 56 squares. Like the 1930s inspriation quilt, the 2010 one will feature appliquéd birds. The new quilt will feature a variety of colors of birds on white background squares set together with strips of blue and red with a coordinating blue binding. The lining will feature a blue-print world map. The polyester batt will make the quilt fluffy, light, and warm.

It is not too late to appliqué a square, to embroider names on squares of the quilt, or to volunteer to help with this old-fashioned but time-honored fund-raising project of the Itawamba Historical Society. Call 662-282-7664 to volunteer your quilting talents (or to sign up to learn how to quilt) and to learn how your donations can help fund the work of the Society.

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 the Itawamba County, Mississippi, History and Genealogy. Winter 2009, Pages 143-61.

Square from 1931 Friendship Quilt photographed by Terry Thornton, September 3, 2009, Bond's House Museum, Itawamba Historical Society, Mantachie, Mississippi.