DACUSVILLE — The first quilt in the far eastern portion of Pickens County near Dacusville was sponsored by Lindsay Evatt in honor of her grandmother, Ruby.

The quilt was installed on the McConnell Wood Products Office building at 400 McConnell Road in Marietta. This building served as the first general store for the area and was owned by Evatt’s grandparents, Charlie and Ruby McConnell.

Ruby McConnell ran the store while Charlie operated the family sawmill. The family owned and operated sawmill, McConnell Wood Products, has been in business in Pickens County since the early 1900’s with Evatt’s great-grandparents, Drake and Janie McConnell its first owners.

The old store was in operation until the early 1950’s and was closed until the 2000’s. It was then remodeled and updated, and has been used as an office for the family sawmill business.

Quilting has become even more precious to the family since the passing of Evatt’s grandmother, Ruby, in 2004. Not only did she run the store, raise eight children, became a hairdresser later in life, but she also loved to sew for people in the community. Many today still use a quilt that she made for them at some point.

Ruby Reeves McConnell made many beautiful quilts throughout her life and this one was chosen because it was one of the last quilts she pieced together before she died. It was not completed until after she passed, when one of her daughters finished it.

Some of Evatt’s greatest memories growing up on the property have been during the fall season and this quilt brings those memories to mind.

The Maple Leaf pattern originated in Canada and was first introduced to the United States via the Chicago Tribune which advertised the pattern on Nov. 30, 1936, with patterns for sale for 5 cents in either coin or stamps. The Maple Leaf is one of many patchwork designs based on natural objects and is hand appliqued onto nine-patch blocks.

Evatt and her family are on a two-year assignment, teaching English in Honduras.

The first quilt in the far eastern portion of Pickens County near Dacusville was sponsored by Lindsay Evatt in honor of her grandmother, Ruby.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_upstatequiltmapleleaf01.jpgThe first quilt in the far eastern portion of Pickens County near Dacusville was sponsored by Lindsay Evatt in honor of her grandmother, Ruby. Courtesy photo

Staff Report