Patchwork History Quilt - A Photographic Essay

Information and Photographs Supplied By Sue Collins © 1990

Issue: February, 1990

Bridget Mary Tobin Rahely (born February 2, 1850 in Abbey Feale, County Cork, Ireland) left the old country when she was a girl of 16. She came to America by entering through the port in New York and in Petersburg, Virginia; she met and married the handsome Edward John Collins (born 1851 in Port Jervis, New York). They were to establish E.J. Collins & Sons, a successful wholesale grocery store in the Market Square, and lived on the top floor, over the store, raising a family that would number ten children. Bridget Mary's brother owned the store next door. They raised their children to have a great respect for food. Once she was asked why she left Ireland. Her simple answer was, "We were hungry over there." In 1898, they bought a huge brick home on Washington Street in Petersburg, which remained in the family until the late 1970's.

One of their sons, William F. Collins, left the family business for an education in medicine. He moved to Roanoke where he was a well known and respected member of the community.

William F. Collins's daughter, Sue still lives in Roanoke and sent photographs of a crazy quilt made by her grandmother in 1901-02. It tells much of a family history in embroidery and rich fabrics. In the case of this quilt, many of the patches tell a story all their own. The amount of work is unbelievable. I only wish I could have printed all the photographs and that you could see them in color.

Bridget Mary Tobin Rahily Collins.
Edward John Collins.
This B.P.O.E Ribbon may have belonged to Dan Rahily, her brother, since his initials are in the square.
Ribbons probably belonged to Edward. One says usher, one says delegate, one says Catholic Centennial, 1889.
The name Marguerite in this square is Bridget and William's youngest daughter.
Marguerette and Nell, daughters, with Jack, one of the bull dogs.
Franchette was not a family name. Who was Franchette?
When Sue Collins saw the name Jack above Nellie's square, she realized that Franchette must be the poodle she had never heard named.
Bridget with Franchette. Dunlop mansion in background.
Tobacco sold by families in wholesale businesses.