Apron Pockets and Bib

Maker Ella Pullen Wilson

Periodca.1870 -1875

Place MadeNew Jersey, U.S.A.

MediumCotton

DimensionsLarge Patch: 7 × 9.5 in. (17.8 × 24.1 cm)
Small Patches: 4 × 5 in. (10.2 × 12.7 cm)

ClassificationsCostume, Children's

Credit LineGift of Mrs. J. Amory Haskell, 1942

Object number1797

DescriptionThis is a set of three - one large (A) and two small (B & C) - patriotic-themed quilt patches, all in United States shield shape. There is a white cotton base fabric with upper half of each shield lined with dark blue cotton, embroidered with five-pointed white cotton yarn stars (36 stars on large shield patch, 11 stars on patch B, 10 stars on patch C). On all three patches, the lower halves are appliqued with vertical red cotton stripes, spaced to create a red and white striped pattern. All three shield patches are edged with narrow 1/8" red cotton binding.
Curatorial RemarksThe Historical Association has two children's garments made during the Civil War. This set of apron bib and patch pockets, fashioned in the shape of the United States shield, was originally attached to a cotton apron, most likely of white cotton. The small size of both bib and pockets seems to indicate their wearer was a little girl, possibly between three and seven years of age. A second Civil-War era garment (accession number 1988) was made for a small boy and features printed cotton fabric with "Union Forever" worked into the design.NotesAccording to the Association's accession records, this set of apron bib and pockets were "taken from an apron made by Mrs. James Wilson c. 1863." Mrs. James Wilson was Ella Jane Pullen. Born on 13 July 1858 in Hopewell, Mercer County, Ella Jane's parents were Samuel Thompson Pullen (1827 - 1920) and Sarah P. Pullen (1836 - 1868). Ella was the eldest of five children, including Emerson (1859 - 1952), Winfield Scott (1861 - 1933), Lillie A. (1863 - 1891), and Irene (1866 - 1962). Ella Jane was ten when her mother, Sarah P. Pullen, died at the age of 32. Her father never remarried. Ella Jane Pullen trained as a teacher and worked for thirty years as the teacher in the one-room schoolhouse in Etra, East Windsor. In 1902, Pullen accepted a teaching position at the Chapel Hill public school in Middletown. At the age of 49, Ella Jane married Middletown resident and widower James Wilson (1846 - 1920). The original accession records noted that Ella Jane made these patches in about 1863 at the age of five.

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