Ashley's Bag: The embroidered artifact of a mother's love.

My great grandmother Rose
mother of Ashley gave her this sack when
she was sold at age 9 in South Carolina
it held a tattered dress 3 handfulls of
pecans a braid of Roses hair. Told her 
It be filled with my Love always
she never saw her again
Ashley is my grandmother
Ruth Middleton
1921




This sack of "negro cloth" (durable, rough-spun cotton) was given to Ashley by her mother, with a few necessities and mementos.

The sack was plain until Ashley's granddaughter embroidered the story. 


Mark Auslander investigated the possible origins of this sack. Read his findings in this brilliant blog post.