Brookfield Museum and Historical Society
An Extended Learning and Research Center
165 Whisconier Road, P.O. Box 5231, Brookfield, CT 06804
Phone: 203-740-8140
Pict 0144 – 1998-0050-001
Irish Chain with Charter Oak Border
Florence Williams Sagendorf and one of her daughters made this blue and white quilt circa 1898.
Florence was the daughter of Dr. Amos Williams, one of the first physicians in Brookfield. Her daughter Lucy Sagendorf inherited her grandfather’s house and donated the house and property to the town of Brookfield. Today this area is known as Williams Park.
The charter Oak tree was used to hide Connecticut’s charter during the time of James I. He demanded that all charters be turned over to him. The Colony of Connecticut refused by hiding it in the oak tree. This design became popular and many variations are used in quilts.
The Irish Chain design has been used since the nineteenth century.