Hand-stitched quilts returned to Hornbeak family after nearly 50 years
HORNBEAK, Tenn. — After a cross-country trip and nearly half a century, one local family is celebrating the return of some extra-special items.
Earlier this month, California residents Kate Squire and Glen Appell traveled to Hornbeak, Tennessee, to return four hand-stitched quilts to the family of Floella Long.
According to Kate Squire, Long sold five of the quilts to Kate’s mother Gloria in suburban Delaware in 1973.
Squire eventually acquired the quilts from her mother, and after deciding to give up ownership of all but one, she got the idea to return them to Long’s descendants.
After extensive internet research, Squire was able to determine that Long’s daughter, Peggy Angel, still lived in Hornbeak, and she sent Christmas cards with pictures and stories of the quilts. A few weeks went by, when Angel’s daughter Melinda Yates contacted Kate and confirmed the family would love to have the quilts returned, stating she was in awe of the kindness.
Kate and her husband Glen started their trip to hand deliver the quilts on October 14, 2023. According to Squire, the meeting brought tears, joy, and gratefulness for those involved.
Squire stated that the family expressed their gratitude to the couple for traveling so far for something that means so much to the family.
Squire says she and her husband were grateful to meet the family and visit their small town of Hornbeak.
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