Diana DeGodis Washington Hines crafted this pieced quilt in the second half of the 19th century, probably while living in Kentucky. Triangular 11-inch blocks pieced in the “Sugar Loaf” or “Arrowhead” pattern alternate with 11-inch plain white triangles. These are framed by 1 ½-inch printed and plain borders. At a later date, possibly to save frayed edges, about an inch of each edge is folded to the front and loosely stitched.
The donor, Diana’s grandson, included a hand-written family history when the quilt was donated to the Collection in 1966. Diana DeGodis Washington Hines was born in February 1797 at Mt. Vernon, George Washington’s home. “She was reared by the Washington family, lived with them in the Mt. Vernon home, until she was pass the age of twenty five. At that time there was a breaking up in the family and she was sold as a Slave to a Mr. Jackson, of Jackson Hotel at Arlington.” Diana married twice. Her second husband was Edward Hines. He too had been a slave in Kentucky with the McClure family, freed at age 21. “But he remained with the McClure family . . . . [they] were prominent and wealthy, owning several thousands [of] acres of land and stock, of which Edward Hines was manager. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hines left Kentucky in 1877 with their son John Hines for Greensburg, Ind., and remained there with him until their death.” In addition to their son, John, they had four daughters. Diana died October 30, 1891.
