Dated 1845
Baltimore, Maryland
2005.022.0001

The inscriptions on the two center blocks of the Hargest album quilt reveal its purpose. It is dedicated to Hannah and James Hargest, who died in 1838 and 1843. In addition to the individuals listed on each block, tiny cross-stitched numbers follow each name, noting the birth order of the Hargest children and grandchildren, as well as additional family members, including parents, siblings, nieces and nephews. This is significant because U.S. Census records prior to 1840 did not record women’s and children’s names, making it difficult for genealogists to verify ages and birth order.

Hannah Evans and James Hargest departed Herefordshire, England, in 1804, shortly after they married. They settled in in an area of Baltimore known as Darley Hall, where James used an inheritance from his father’s estate to purchase farm land.