Block 32. A Stitch in Time

by Terry Thornton
email: hillcountrymonroecounty@gmail.com

A stitch in time. . . Block 32 of the circa 1931 Friendship Quilt in the Museum of the Itawamba County Historical Society

HODGES, J.E., Mrs., Block 32

According to IHS member Joe Sheffield, this is Leemon Hodges.

Lemon Hodges, 24, is listed on the 1920 census of Mantachie Precinct as the wife of John E. Hodges.

John E. Hodges, 34, a farmer, is listed on the 1930 census of Mantachie as living on the Tupelo-Guntown Road. Included in the household were wife Leemon L., 34, and sons James N., 12, and William L., 7.

KIRKSEY, A.S., Block 32

The 1910 census of Mantachie includes A.S. Kirksey, 37, and his family on Cotton Gin Road. The household included wife Mollie, 30, sons Gordon, 10, Kermit, 6, and Elvin, 4, and daughters Vivian, 8, and Burnice, 3 months. All were born in Mississippi.

The 1930 census of Beat 2 shows Albert S. Kirksey, 57, farmer, wife Mollie, 50, and children John, 16, Burnice, 13, and Addie, 9.

Albert Sidney Kirksey 1892 - 1955 and Mollie Bennett Kirksey 1878 - 1966 are buried in Stephens Cemetery according to Burton-Cruber.

WILSON, R.M. Mrs., Block 32

According to IHS member Joe Sheffield, this is Lola Wilson.

The 1930 census lists Lolar M. Wilson, 31, as the wife of barber Robert M. Wilson, 37, of Beat 2 residing on Tupelo-Kirkville Road. In the Wilson household were son Burgess, 13, daughter Cathrine W., 8, and Robert's father, James W. Wilson, 86.

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 Itawamba Historical Society is bringing back a fundraising project from Itawamba County's past --- the friendship quilt. If you would like your name, or the names of family members and Itawamba County ancestors stitched on the quilt, simply send in your names. The cost is $10 per name. Remit your names with your donation to: The Itawamba Historical Society, Attn: Friendship Quilt Project, PO Box 7, Mantachie, MS 38855.

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.