5 Generation Morris Family Quilt

The 9-Block Family Quilt, 5 Generations 
1838 - 2011
Quilted by Kathleen Brandt, 2011

The Morris Family Quilt of Life

Have you ever looked at your ancestors for inspiration? How did they do it? How did they handle the seemingly abrupt changes in their lives? The answer lies in their life stories. Through the snapshot of my Ancestral Quilt, The Quilt of Life,  I found a familiar pattern. The pattern that proves that my life is not that much different than theirs so long ago. 

Let's retract a bit of ancestral history!
In 1855 my ancestors were established blacksmiths and owned land in Rutherford County, NC. They were surrounded by family, friends, and customers.  By 1861 the Civil War disrupts their lives.

Events of the Reformation Era forced them to move, find new land, and start anew.  Reestablishing their lives was paramount, this time in western Tennessee.  There, new land was purchased, new jobs were had, and new friends were made.  But change was on the horizon.

We find the Morris ancestors in Coldwater, Kansas in 1884. The mass exit from the south, the expansion of the railroad, and political uprisings inspired this move to towns that weren't even settled well.  But, land was abundant as were opportunities; unfortunately, so were diseases and the nationwide economic depression: The Panic of 1893. 

By the 1900 census, confirmed by newspaper articles, we find our ancestor in the Indian Territory of Oklahoma. 

Inspiration?

Telling our ancestor's story is telling our story of life changes, perseverance and successes.  It appears this pattern of settling, uprooting, and reestablishing a comfortable life was never ending.  Is this any different from what we do today when we choose to (or have to) face change? This Ancestral Quilt is just a snapshot of the life, family and migratory pattern that connects the Morris' of yesteryear to today.

The 9-Block Family Quilt, 
Quilted by Kathleen Brandt, 2011 

Note: all blocks are not shown in detail to protect the living.

Row 1: GG Grandpa Tobe, 1838 ((mulatto); From Tobe to Me (6 Generation); 5 of 11 children of Tobe

Row 2:G-Grandpa Thomas, 1873; Family Migration Path; Children of Thomas

 

Row 3:Grandpa Cecil, 1905 (wife Kathleen), and other living 5th and 6th generations

 Note: all blocks are not shown in detail to protect the living. 

Kathleen Brandt of a3Genealogy began blogging 17 July 2008. This blog post is to honor the ancestors that inspired the first blog: A Living By Writing, Traveling and Genealogy. A salute to our 3 year blogiversary and future posts.

Thanks for sharing with us!

Kathleen Brandt
a3genealogy@gmail.com