Prominent Plainsboro family names stitched into 1915 treasure.
By: Gwen Runkle
PLAINSBORO Like Sherlock Holmes tracking down an elusive crime, the Plainsboro Historical Society is piecing together a mystery of its own surrounding the origins of a signature quilt.
The quilt, made in Plainsboro around 1915, is red and white and measures just over 6 square feet. Signatures from many prominent Plainsboro families such as Wicoff, Jeffers and Stults are stitched on the quilt along with the Lord’s Prayer.
The Historical Society recently purchased the quilt at auction for $990, with donations from Amos and Marion Stults Jr., society President Robert Yuell, society member Matt Hafenmaier and Johnson & Johnson.
"We heard about the quilt through the grapevine," Mr. Yuell said. "A gentleman in Hightstown, Warren Stiffler, is on the mailing list for the Bodnar’s Auction House in East Brunswick and noticed that the Plainsboro quilt and some Walker Gordon dairy items would be up for bidding.
"He called Leo Fenity, a Cranbury resident, who in turn contacted me," he continued. "The day before the auction, myself and Mr. Hafenmaier went up to check out the quilt and as soon as we saw the names, we knew it was from Plainsboro and was something we wanted to have."
The Historical Society already has a similar quilt from 1901. That quilt was made and auctioned as a fund-raiser for the First Presbyterian Church, located at the intersection of Plainsboro and Schalks Crossing roads, Mr. Yuell said.
Historical Society members believe the 1915 quilt served a similar purpose, thanks to the sharp memory of one 92-year-old former township resident.
Amos Stults Sr., founder of the Hopewell Veterinary Group, was born in 1910, grew up in Plainsboro and remembers the quilt.
"I remember you had to pay a certain amount, I think 75 cents, to get your name on the quilt," he said. "It was a fund-raiser. We had a whole block for our family. I was only 5 years old at the time so I don’t remember too much, but I think this is a very nice find."
Mr. Yuell thinks Mr. Stults may be the only person still alive whose name is on the quilt.
The Historical Society is still trying to pin down who made the quilt and who exactly owned it.
"We think it was passed down in the Ruedemann family," Mr. Yuell said. "But we’re still trying to piece everything together."
After the quilt is refurbished and cleaned professionally, plans are for it to be on display in time for the township’s Founders Day celebration May 4.
Anyone with any information on the quilt is asked to contact the Plainsboro Historical Society at (609) 799-9040.

