A "New" (Old) Apple Pie Ridge Star Friendship Quilt, Part One

“Apple Pie Ridge Star Friendship Quilt," 1853. Courtesy of the 

Warren Heritage Society / Laura Virginia Hale Archives, Front Royal, Virginia. 

Last month, I received an invitation from Lee Meadows to see a quilt in the collection of the Warren Heritage Society, Front Royal, Virginia. Lee is on the Board of Directors of the Society, and is a quilter herself. She and I spent a pleasant afternoon photographing and examining the quilt. It will be on display in a small pop-up exhibit at the Society July 15 - August 14, 2026, Wednesdays - Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm.

Apple Pie Ridge Star Friendship Quilt, photographed 5 July 2026 at 

Warren Heritage Society, Front Royal, Virginia.

The quilt's plain blocks alternate with blocks of, "Apple Pie Ridge Stars," which is one of several names by which this pattern is identified. In this case, as you will see, the pattern is justifiably named for the nine-mile stretch of road, Apple Pie Ridge, in Frederick County. The area was heavily populated by Quakers.  

Lee and I counted thirty-two appliqued blocks whipstitched onto the ground. The quilt, which measures approximately 110 inches X 200 inches, has straight-set blocks and all of the applique patterns are placed to appear in the same direction. The fabrics vary. Quilted in diagonal rows and clamshells, its backing is rolled from the back to the front. 

Apple Pie Ridge Star Friendship Quilt, detail.

Not only is this pattern known by other names, it appears in equal numbers on quilts made by Quakers as well as Methodists, Presbyterians, etc. In other words, the pattern is not only called, "Apple Pie Ridge Star," and it is not exclusive to Quakers. However, there are cluster of mid-nineteenth-century quilts with the pattern that were made by members of the same Quaker community. We can't say for certainty what historical quiltmakers called the pattern at the time they were making it, but we know the pattern was shared between Friends who either lived on, or were familiar with, Apple Pie Ridge. I never expected to find another one so closely tied to Quakers in that exact locale. Until now. 

Block inscribed, "Margaret Swayne, 1853," and 

(at the center, bottom), "Ohio."

Several of the blocks have inscriptions but without taking you down all of the research rabbit holes I wandered, I will share what I have learned so far about Margaret Swayne. Luckily, a date and location were included with her inscribed name. 

On 12 April 1809, Margaret Brown (born 1787) married Samuel Swayne (born 1787) under care of Hopewell Meeting in the Ridge Meetinghouse on... Apple Pie Ridge! In 1826, they moved from Virginia to Ohio with their eight (at the time) children. They received certificates of membership in the Stillwater Monthly Meeting, Ohio, on 24 November 1827. Interestingly, on 25 August 1828 Margaret was disowned for "jH" - joining the Hicksites. 

Samuel and Margaret would lose three of their children at the ages of two, three, and thirteen respectively, but six lived to maturity. Margaret died on 26 March 1861 at the age of seventy-four and is buried in Friends Cemetery, Quaker City, Guernsey County, Ohio.

Research is ongoing, but I hope to share more soon. 

NOTES:

Thank you to the Warren Heritage Society and Lee Meadows, Liz Rishel and Hannah Fletcher-Perez for sharing this quilt with me, and for granting permission to publish.

Thank you also to Barbara Garrett for sharing her insights and expertise.