|
"Tennessee Trails" through Bedford County Photography by David Luttrell Published by Rutledge Hill Press - 513 Third Ave. Nashville TN 37210 
This Cherry Basket quilt was made in 1863-1864 s a fund raiser for Confederate forces. It was one of several raffled by the ladies of the Raus community in Bedford County. Makers names are inscribed in ink, as well as names of several Tennessee Volunteers serving in the 17th TN Infantry Reg. This quilt became the property of Mary High Prince, one of the makers, who later said the quilt was hidden in stumps for safekeeping during Yankee looting raids in the area. Mary herself was involved in a tale of daring adventure and grief. She was a Confederate spy who was once caught while carrying a message to forces in Columbia TN. She was able to back up to the fire and destroy the message before it was found. Since there was no evidence sshe was let free. Her fiance' a Confederate spy, was caught and hanged in Murfreesboro. Enlisting the aid of his sister, she drove a wagon to Murfreesboro, cut down the body and brought it back to Raus for burial. The rather tame, quietly composed Basket quilt gives no hint of the personality of its plucky owner who lived to be 91, Mary's grandaughters, Emeline Prince Gist, inherited the quilt from her father, Mary's son.
In the illustration the photo bears the name of Capt. P.B. Anderson Tennessee Volunteer Dec'd. "He went to rest in all his countrys honors dressed"
 Made by a member of McGill, Hix, Reagor and Gardner family in about 1870. Sarah Thomas, a descendant, was reared in the home of her maternal grandparents and from several pranches of her family she inherited quilts whose makers were unidentified. This is an unusual arrangement of the Log Cabin.
 Made by Fannie Steele, Shelbyville, Bedford County 1865. Owned by Knox Pitts, whose wife was Mildred Pitts, great-niece of Miss Steele. Around 1865, a peddler made his rounds in the Shelbyville area in Bedford County, stopping at the home of P.C. Steele on Midland Road. He asked to spend the night at the Steele's house and next morning offered to pay for his night's lodging. Mr. Steele generously refused payment. In return, as a gift for kind hospitality, the peddler cut out three quilt designs for his host's daughter, Fannie Steele. Fannie spent many hours stitching the elaborate pieces tot he background and even pushed extra stuffing under th cutout pieces.
 Made by Mary Hutton Rankin signed May 20, 1850 Bedford County TN |
