Historic 1888 Shaftsbury Signature Quilt

Quilt Block #32 - Quilt Signers:

Marcus Edwards Galusha

Austianna (Harrington) Galusha

Marcus E. Galusha/Austia H. Galusha (husband and wife)
Marcus E. Galusha was born 23 February 1856 to Richmond and Mary E. (Wheelock) Galusha BLOCK: 50. Mary was the sister of Nahum Wheelock BLOCK: 54. Their parents were Nahum (unknown-1866) and Martha (Slye) Wheelock.

The Federal Census of 1870 shows fourteen year old Marcus living in Shaftsbury with his parents Richmond and Mary Galusha, both forty, and his siblings Martha (10), Ella (6), Nellie (6), and eight month old David. A sister Francesca had died in 1862 before this census was taken.

The same 1870 Census documents the household of Austia Harrington, Marcus' future wife. She was living in Shaftsbury with her parents Sheldon (50) and Jane (47) Harrington. Austia (22) was still living at home with two younger brothers, Sheldon (Jr.) (no age listed) and Webster (14). According to her headstone Austia was born 13 January 1846.

Marcus Edward Galusha and Austia Harrington marry on 27 February 1878. She was 30, while he was 22. Both the bride and groom were born in Shaftsbury but, no record of their births were found. He was a life long farmer and she a housewife. When the quilt was signed she was 40 years old and he was 32. Their young son, Horace Marcus Galusha BLOCK: 47, would have been about 4 years old. Documented in the 1900 Census are Marcus (44), Austie/Austia (52) and Horace (15) still living in Shaftsbury. Also, counted in the household is Henriette Wheelock (74) David's step-mother as she was the third wife of David's father, Nahum Wheelock.

Austia died 13 March 1927 from hypertrophic cirrhosis of the liver which could be caused by a hepatitis infection, high consumption of alcohol, some genetic conditions, and inflammation that occurs with obesity and metabolic disorder. Her obituary reports her as “being a woman of character, a constant attendant at Center Shaftsbury church, as long as health permitted, and a neighbor ever ready to extend the helping hand in times of need or affliction.” She was 79 years and 2 months old. Marcus died 16 October 1932 at the age of 76 years 4 months and 23 days old from several contributing factors; heart disease, chronic colitis and nephritis.

Both Marcus and Austia are buried in Center Shaftsbury Cemetery with his parents Richmond and Mary Galusha and their son Horace and his wife Lola (Brundrage) Galusha. Austia's parents are also, in Center Shaftsbury Cemetery.

Austia Galusha was the daughter of Sheldon and Jane (Webb) Harrington. She was one of five siblings. Alice (Harrington) Oatman (1845-1931), Sheldon Harrington Jr. (1850-1937), Horace Harrington (1852-1862) and Daniel Webster Harrington (1855-1932). The census of 1870 shows 22 year old Austia living with her parents Sheldon (50) and Jane (47). Also, brothers Sheldon (unrecorded age) and David Webster (14).

Marcus Edward had five siblings: Francesca C. Galusha (1854-1862), Martha Eliza Galusha Simmons (1860-1947), Elnora (Ella) Galusha Burgess (1862-1936). Nellie Galusha (1862-1952), and David Richmond Galusha (1869-1839). A brother Horace had passed away in 1862 before the census was taken.