Post-Revolutionary War to Civil War
Colorful "S. Hausman / 1836" Wife, "S (Sarah) Jacquard Coverlet Measuring 96" x 74" Trexlertown, Pennsylvania
1836-Dated & Maker Signed, Trexlertown, Pennsylvania Colorful Jacquard Coverlet made by Benjamin Hausman for his Wife, "S (Sarah) Hausman", Choice Extremely Fine.
This bright, colorful Coverlet measures 96" x 74". Owner Identified and Signed (in text), "S. Hausman," made by her husband Benjamin Hausman for her, with her name at the bottom left and right text boxes. The design consists of geometric flowers and leaves and the entire outer border is nicely fringed. The colors are bright, the cloth has a nice smell, and its overall appearance is lovely. We see no damage or flaws other than some very minor scattered fringe loss. A search on the Internet reveals other similar examples made by Benjamin Hausman, but this is the earliest dated Signed Coverlet we could find with that attribution. Trexlertown, PA is West-South-West of Allentown, PA. and was the home of at least one other Coverlet producer.
The National Museum of American History has one other example on their website, there stating about their example: "Benjamin Hausman, born March 2, 1799, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, wove this cotton and wool Jacquard double-woven coverlet for Jane Paul in 1841. His name and hers appear in the lower corners along with the date." This current vibrant coverlet is a very impressive and well preserved, having been specially made for his wife "S" (Sarah) and is excellent for display.
According to the National Museum of American History website at https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_1270589:
"Benjamin Hausman, born March 2, 1799, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, wove this cotton and wool Jacquard double-woven coverlet for Jane Paul in 1841. His name and hers appear in the lower corners along with the date.
The coverlet is Jacquard double-woven with floral medallions and stars, as the overall pattern, and with a border of trees and flowers. It has no center seam.
Several members of the Hausman family were coverlet weavers in Pennsylvania in the 19th century. Benjamin worked in Allentown, Lehigh County, from 1836 to 1845, and in York, York County, from 1847 to 1848. He is listed as a coverlet weaver in the 1850 census of York, York County, Pennsylvania. He moved to Philadelphia in 1852 and in the 1862 Philadelphia Septennial Census he is listed as a weaver.
He and his wife Sarah lived with their daughter and son-in-law in Philadelphia. He died c. 1869."