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Anna Leek Log Cabin Quilt

Colour photograph of a log cabin quilt, made by one of George Leek's descendants.

Courtesy of Kings Landing Corporation, Taylor-Leek Collection, M2007.39.83

The Log Cabin quilt design is a very recognizable and highly cherished quilt pattern that dates back to the 1860’s. It has long been associated with the American Civil War, and became a popular pattern for supporters of the Union, since President Abraham Lincoln grew up in a log cabin.

For this reason, the pattern came to symbolize loyalty to the President as head of the Union, and quilts of this design were often raffled off to raise funds for the Union cause.

This Log Cabin pattern would have been an extremely important symbol for Anna Leek and her sisters, since two of her sisters, Margaret Brackett (1845-1936) and Henrietta Henderson (1854–1935), both married Civil War veterans of the 17th and 31st Maine Infantry Battalions respectively.