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Lace Lesson #17 - Betsey Barbour and darned net lace ("needle run")
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<p>[QUOTE="Northern Lights Lodge, post: 2268166, member: 13464"]I thought I'd share this interesting collection today. A number of years ago; I made a purchase of a "packet" of lace, linens and information that came from the estate of "Betsey Morton Barbour". The garage sale lady I purchased it from, got it from an estate auction. (Unknown if the estate had anything to do with the Barbour family).</p><p><br /></p><p>Included was a very formal Memorial Booklet date 1809-1901 which included her likeness and a VERY flowery tribute to her family lines and her husband's and her own social accomplishments. Some very well used fine linen pillowcases - with names written in ink on each pillowcase. A small hemstitched square.</p><p><br /></p><p>A lovely petite unfinished "needle run" cap.</p><p>A lovely set of needle run and bobbin lace cuffs.</p><p>Some accompanying small identification notes.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]257018[/ATTACH] </p><p>[ATTACH=full]257022[/ATTACH] </p><p>Card on the pillowcases states: Pillowcase which belonged to my father's sister, Mrs. Fannie Ballard, wife of Lyman Ballard. About 1843. Lydian Graves Bowen. You can see the "inked" name on the pillow case and a number. </p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]257019[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>The Memorial booklet states that Betsey was born and raised in N.Y. The family of the American branch of the Morton's of Scotland. She had 3 brothers and 2 sisters. She married John Barbour in 1833 at the age of 24. John was 26. He was a member of the Legislature (it doesn't say which). Sometime prior to 1840, Mr. and Mrs. Barbour moved to Monroe, Michigan and from there to the Battle Creek area. Apparently, at this point in her life she had been unwell; and still continued to deal with her "illness" - although it gives no clue as to what the ailment was. However, the fact that they were now near the Battle Creek Sanitarium (which specialized in cancer treatment) is mentioned. They had 4 children, but only their son Levi L. Barbour, survived. Levi pursued his *education, graduating from the (University of Michigan) State University, studied in Europe and eventually "going to the bar" (becoming a lawyer). Levi married a Miss Hooper of Ann Arbor and settled in Detroit. Betsey and John were "unable to be separated from him" and moved to Detroit. Apparently, John had a severe stomach ailment and passed in October of 1867. </p><p><br /></p><p>The booklet goes on to eulogize Betsey in the most elegant and flowery terms. </p><p>[ATTACH=full]257023[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>Betsey Barbour passed away December 2, 1901. </p><p><br /></p><p>*Levi Lewis Barbour received an undergrad and law degree from U of M in the 1860's and later went on to become a University Regent. He was a prominent lawyer and Detroit real estate developer. He accumulated the means to become a philanthropist and devoted to humanitarian and educational causes. He was impressed by the remarkable contributions being made to 3 women in China and Japan who had been trained in medicine at U of M. His gifts to the University eventually included the Barbour Endowed Scholarships for Asian Women, the former Barbour Gymnasium for women and the Betsey Barbour Dormitory. Since 1914 when the Barbour Scholarships were first granted; more than 500 women have received the award.</p><p><br /></p><p>Now a bit about the cards and lace.[ATTACH=full]257024[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>The card on this lovely set of unworn cuffs states that it is "Darned net" work done by the mother of Levi L. Barbour. Born in 1809 (Betsey). It does not address the narrow hand worked bobbin lace edging! </p><p><br /></p><p>Darned net is also known as "needle run". And although this piece is truly, "darned net"... I think most modern lace makers tend to think of "darned net" as being that we discussed in the first lace lesson about filet lace. Where as, the square net is made and then darned.</p><p><br /></p><p>In the above example the fine cotton netting is purchased and then the design is hand darned onto/into the netting. This is the technique used to make "Irish Limerick" and other needle run laces. For the most part done by "counting holes in the netting" and then weaving the thread accordingly. I've done it. It crosses your eyes!</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]257037[/ATTACH] </p><p>The card on the cap states: "Darned net". This work was done by Mrs. B. M. Barbour Mother of Levi L. Barbour. Auntie Barbour was born in 1809. (Betsey) I don't know if it is a child's cap or meant as a very petite woman's cap; as it seems way to large for an infant's bonnet. It measures 20" around the front edge and 5" wide. The back panel is 4" wide x 6" high. </p><p><br /></p><p>I would have LOVED for the pieces that went to the other 2 cards to have been included; but alas... the items and cards had parted ways somewhere along the last 100 years.</p><p><br /></p><p>The first card states: Infants dress made by my father's sister. Mrs. Fannie Ballard. This dress was made for her only child Francis (?) Ballard; born 1843. Lydien Graves (?) Bowen.</p><p><br /></p><p>The second card states: Handkerchief given to my mother in 1894. It was made by Auntie Barbour, mother of Levi L. Barbour in her 85th year. Lydien Graves Bowen</p><p><br /></p><p>I did make a call to the Barbour Residence Hall; and heaven's only knows whom I spoke with; but they seemed very uninterested in the items. I may try to contact someone at another point in time. I thought it would make a cool permanent display in the hall. </p><p><br /></p><p>If that falls on deaf ears; it was suggested that the Bentley Historical Library in Ann Arbor might be interested. </p><p><br /></p><p>OR who knows; maybe I'll try and sell it. For the time being they shall remain in my collection as they are such lovely examples of "needle run" and I love the historical aspect of it!</p><p><br /></p><p>Cheerio,</p><p>Leslie[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Northern Lights Lodge, post: 2268166, member: 13464"]I thought I'd share this interesting collection today. A number of years ago; I made a purchase of a "packet" of lace, linens and information that came from the estate of "Betsey Morton Barbour". The garage sale lady I purchased it from, got it from an estate auction. (Unknown if the estate had anything to do with the Barbour family). Included was a very formal Memorial Booklet date 1809-1901 which included her likeness and a VERY flowery tribute to her family lines and her husband's and her own social accomplishments. Some very well used fine linen pillowcases - with names written in ink on each pillowcase. A small hemstitched square. A lovely petite unfinished "needle run" cap. A lovely set of needle run and bobbin lace cuffs. Some accompanying small identification notes. [ATTACH=full]257018[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]257022[/ATTACH] Card on the pillowcases states: Pillowcase which belonged to my father's sister, Mrs. Fannie Ballard, wife of Lyman Ballard. About 1843. Lydian Graves Bowen. You can see the "inked" name on the pillow case and a number. [ATTACH=full]257019[/ATTACH] The Memorial booklet states that Betsey was born and raised in N.Y. The family of the American branch of the Morton's of Scotland. She had 3 brothers and 2 sisters. She married John Barbour in 1833 at the age of 24. John was 26. He was a member of the Legislature (it doesn't say which). Sometime prior to 1840, Mr. and Mrs. Barbour moved to Monroe, Michigan and from there to the Battle Creek area. Apparently, at this point in her life she had been unwell; and still continued to deal with her "illness" - although it gives no clue as to what the ailment was. However, the fact that they were now near the Battle Creek Sanitarium (which specialized in cancer treatment) is mentioned. They had 4 children, but only their son Levi L. Barbour, survived. Levi pursued his *education, graduating from the (University of Michigan) State University, studied in Europe and eventually "going to the bar" (becoming a lawyer). Levi married a Miss Hooper of Ann Arbor and settled in Detroit. Betsey and John were "unable to be separated from him" and moved to Detroit. Apparently, John had a severe stomach ailment and passed in October of 1867. The booklet goes on to eulogize Betsey in the most elegant and flowery terms. [ATTACH=full]257023[/ATTACH] Betsey Barbour passed away December 2, 1901. *Levi Lewis Barbour received an undergrad and law degree from U of M in the 1860's and later went on to become a University Regent. He was a prominent lawyer and Detroit real estate developer. He accumulated the means to become a philanthropist and devoted to humanitarian and educational causes. He was impressed by the remarkable contributions being made to 3 women in China and Japan who had been trained in medicine at U of M. His gifts to the University eventually included the Barbour Endowed Scholarships for Asian Women, the former Barbour Gymnasium for women and the Betsey Barbour Dormitory. Since 1914 when the Barbour Scholarships were first granted; more than 500 women have received the award. Now a bit about the cards and lace.[ATTACH=full]257024[/ATTACH] The card on this lovely set of unworn cuffs states that it is "Darned net" work done by the mother of Levi L. Barbour. Born in 1809 (Betsey). It does not address the narrow hand worked bobbin lace edging! Darned net is also known as "needle run". And although this piece is truly, "darned net"... I think most modern lace makers tend to think of "darned net" as being that we discussed in the first lace lesson about filet lace. Where as, the square net is made and then darned. In the above example the fine cotton netting is purchased and then the design is hand darned onto/into the netting. This is the technique used to make "Irish Limerick" and other needle run laces. For the most part done by "counting holes in the netting" and then weaving the thread accordingly. I've done it. It crosses your eyes! [ATTACH=full]257037[/ATTACH] The card on the cap states: "Darned net". This work was done by Mrs. B. M. Barbour Mother of Levi L. Barbour. Auntie Barbour was born in 1809. (Betsey) I don't know if it is a child's cap or meant as a very petite woman's cap; as it seems way to large for an infant's bonnet. It measures 20" around the front edge and 5" wide. The back panel is 4" wide x 6" high. I would have LOVED for the pieces that went to the other 2 cards to have been included; but alas... the items and cards had parted ways somewhere along the last 100 years. The first card states: Infants dress made by my father's sister. Mrs. Fannie Ballard. This dress was made for her only child Francis (?) Ballard; born 1843. Lydien Graves (?) Bowen. The second card states: Handkerchief given to my mother in 1894. It was made by Auntie Barbour, mother of Levi L. Barbour in her 85th year. Lydien Graves Bowen I did make a call to the Barbour Residence Hall; and heaven's only knows whom I spoke with; but they seemed very uninterested in the items. I may try to contact someone at another point in time. I thought it would make a cool permanent display in the hall. If that falls on deaf ears; it was suggested that the Bentley Historical Library in Ann Arbor might be interested. OR who knows; maybe I'll try and sell it. For the time being they shall remain in my collection as they are such lovely examples of "needle run" and I love the historical aspect of it! Cheerio, Leslie[/QUOTE]
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Lace Lesson #17 - Betsey Barbour and darned net lace ("needle run")
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