Historic 1888 Shaftsbury Signature Quilt

Quilt Block #21 - Quilt Signers:

Gilbert & Margaret (Taber) Frisbee

Mrs. Gilbert Frisbie/Gilbert Frisbie (husband and wife)

Mrs. Gilbert Frisbie's maiden name was Margaret Taber. Her parents were Stephen and Sarah (Allen) Taber. She was born in White Creek, New York on 9 March 1842.

Gilbert Joseph Frisbie was the son of Joseph and Patience (Allen) Frisbie. He was born in Westford, Vermont 5 May 1842. Both Margaret and Gilbert were 46 years old when the quilt was signed.

The Vermont census of 1850 documents Gilbert (9) living in Westford, Vermont with his parents Joseph (51) and Patience (28) Frisbee, and siblings Zara (16), Sarah A. (14), Allen (10), John (6) and Abenzo (Alonzo), who was less than one month old.

The New York census of 1855 shows Margaret (13) living in White Creek. N.Y. with her Uncle, William Taber (56), and her parents Stephen (brother of William) and mother Sarah Taber, both 53. Margaret's siblings were Elizabeth (18), Hugh (16), William (15) and Sarah J. (10). The family unit had three servants at the time. Electa Barnes (54), Electa Martindale (49) and Desire Martindale (42).

When the 1860 Census was taken Gilbert (18) and his family were still in Westford. His father Joseph was 68, his mother Patience was 48 and he had three siblings: John (16), Alonzo (11) and six year old Charles. His older siblings, Zara, Sarah A and Allen were out on their own.

When Gilbert was 21 he was drafted into the Civil War May 1863 as a Class I (persons who served for military duty over the age of 20 and under 35) He was single. He was called up from the counties of Chittenden, Orleans, Franklin, Essex Lamoille and Grand Isle, Vermont. The Provost Marshall was R. Gleason. His occupation was farmer and he was assigned to 3rd Headquarters Congr. District of Vermont. This document was signed June 22, 1863.

By the time the 1880 Census was taken Gilbert J. (38) and Margaret (37) were married and living in Shaftsbury with their two children. Edith L. (8) and Frances (4 1/2). Gilbert's occupation was listed as Merchant.

Gilbert passes first on 1 August 1908 at the age of 66 from heart disease. Margaret lived to be 96 and died 5 January 1939 from hyper-static pneumonia and senility. The information on her death certificate was provided by their daughter Edith's husband, George Galusha, a son of Augustus and Polly Galusha BLOCK: 10. Margaret's obituary records her religion as Quaker and her personality as "always cheery looking on the bright side of everything, always a good word for everyone."

Gilbert, Margaret, and their daughter Edith and her husband George Galusha are buried in Center Shaftsbury Cemetery.