Daniel STEPHENSON's weavings - 1922

STEPHENSON, JAMES, LAMSON

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/29/2006 at 19:53:40

"The Fairfield Daily Ledger-Journal"
Wednesday, January 4, 1922
Page 1, Column 6

ECHO OF WHIRR OF AN OLD LOOM.
The Collection of STEPHENSON Coverlids (sic) at Historical Exhibit.

Seventy years ago the only whirr and clang of machinery heard in Fairfield was in a little frame building at what later became the Dr. JAMES property on East Burlington Street, where Daniel STEPHENSON plied his trade as weaver, his foot furnishing the motive power, and produced those wonderful coverlets of which another generation knows nothing of making.

In this little home STEPHENSON's shuttle flew back and forth for twenty years or more, and the children of the neighborhood used to gather at the windows and watch with awe this spare little man work imperishable designs of wonderful birds and flowers into his warp and woof (lengthwise and crosswise threads, respectively, in weaving; later known as warp and weft). Not only the children of the neighborhood but also the children of all the town used to come and watch, for STEPHENSON's loom was the only piece of machinery in the town in that day, the only loom in the county and probably one of the first west of the Mississippi River.

Typical of Art.
Today STEPHENSON's loom products have a new value. It is not alone the historical value, although they should be highly prized as such; they have a value as being typical of an art that has passed and of a quality of workmanship as true and as steady as the characters of the men and women of that age. So it is that special interest attaches just now to the announcement that these rare old weaves will be displayed at the historical loan exhibit at the library January 10-16...

To America In 1827. (sic - 1840)
Daniel STEPHENSON knew his trade as the weavers of that day learned it and all of his work that has been seen betrays his thoroughness. As a small English boy he came to America in 1827 (sic - 1840) and was apprenticed to a weaver in the east when he had reached a proper age. After working at his trade in various places he came to Springfield, Ohio. But the unknownwest held an urge for him and he started out on foot for Iowa. He came to Chicago but thought the place had no future, so he hurried on his way, reaching Jefferson County in 1845.

At Fairfield he found the population too small, (and probably too poor, although history does not record it) to justify setting up a loom. So he returned to Ohio. But he still felt the lure of the west, so again he came to Fairfield in 1850, and set up his loom. How long he remained in the city, plying his trade, does not appear quite clearly but it must have been as late as 1876, as one of his coverlets bears that date.

Entries In Draft Book.
Daniel STEPHENSON's old draft book shows that he made many of his own designs for his artistic coverlets. This old book, entries in which were begun in the thiries, is faded and worn, but its records of the drafts or patterns for his wonderful coverlets are clear. The book, which is now in the Art Institute in Chicago, has peculiar interest locally because of some of the entries showing his accounts against some of the pioneers of this country. Other entries showed the prices he charged for his work, recipes for making soap and dyes, cunning hints as to weaving for his reference; now and then words of an old song were written in the book. One memoranda gives an idea of the pay received for expert labor in those days, and reads: "Port Huron, Canada, August, 1850: Commenced work for Messrs. Clark & Hoblett at $14.00 per month and found as head weaver."

All of these entries were written in old copperplate hand of surpassing beauty. All of STEPHENSON's coverlets bore the legend: "Made by D. STEPHENSON, Fairfield, Jefferson County, Iowa," and the date, woven into the fabric in well formed and conspicuous letters. This was usually placed in the corner, but V. A. LAMSON has one specimen which bears the legend woven into the border at each end of the coverlet and extending its full width. The name and address appears four times at each end and is woven in reverse alternately so that it may be read in its proper form on the reverse side of the coverlet. These indelible imprints of the maker authenticate their manufacture and their age and are of special value to collectors.

Old Settlers Overlook Prize.
"I am surprised that the Old Settlers Association has overlooked such historical relics as the loom, shuttles and other equipment of the first weaver of Jefferson County," Mr. LAMSON states. "These valuable relics are now in the possession of a daughter of STEPHENSON's, who lives just northwest of the city and preserves and treasures them with loving care."

The oldest coverlet made by STEPHENSON, owned by Mr. LAMSON, bears the date of 1854. In the borders of this the maker's name and address are cleverly woven. The design, much like all of his work in general character, is a blue and white floral, conventional.

Another, made in 1855, is much the same in general characteristics of design and gives rise to the belief that it is the weaver's own design. Three others, dated 1868, 1869, and 1876, betray the weaver's fondness for curved lines. In all of his work he has used few straight lines, flowers and birds seeming to have held the greatest decorative charm for him.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.