As a survivor of a Rogue Indian Wars attack in 1855 that killed her husband, wounded a daughter and left a son missing, Mary Ann Harris became a caretaker for an elderly woman in Jacksonville, Ore.
In 1860, Harris made two white quilts from two solid pieces of fabric and homemade patterns of pineapples, flowers and vines. She quilted with an astounding 20 stitches to the inch, painstakingly slitting and stuffing each section, and signing and dating the quilts.
In 1868, a strain of smallpox swept through Jacksonville, killing Harris’ daughter, a young widow with four small children. The disease also killed one of the children. Later generations of the family reported that Harris had Sophia’s body wrapped for burial in one of the quilts.
Owned by the Southern Oregon Historical Society, the remaining quilt and dozens of others being considered for a national quilt data bank can be seen from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the Society’s history center in Medford. The quilt’s regular home is at the Hanley House Museum. The Hanley sisters were great granddaughters of Harris and carried on a tradition of hand sewing projects.
Source: SOHS object record 1982.107.1744—quilt and Harris vertical file in SOHS Research Library
