Historical

Besty Chutchian

More than 150 years ago a pioneer family left a sign on their Kentucky door reading "Gone to Texas."

As did so many of their generation, Robert and Lizzie Carpenter packed up their belongings and headed West to find a better life. They chose the North Central Texas prairie to set up housekeeping. And, it was here, on their newly built homestead, that Lizzie began writing her journal, which she kept from 1857 to 1882. Chronicled within its pages are the details of pioneer life including her deep love for quiltmaking.

In 2007, Lizzie's great-great granddaughter and award winning quiltmaker and historian, Betsy Chutchian, discovered the journal, now housed at Haggard Library in Plano, Texas, and was delighted to discover they shared a common passion for quiltmaking.

Join Betsy as she embarks on a journey to recreate 12 of her great-great grandmother's quilts inspired by her writing. And read as she shares the journal entries that capture the essence of pioneer life, often characterized by harsh realities and the sameness of chores that seemed never ending, softened by the beauty, pleasure and friendship found in quiltmaking.
Published by: Kansas City Star