Rosa Ritter Quilts - Handmade in Washburn, Tennessee

Most everyone in the Grainger County area has heard of "Ritter Farms" or has seen the trademark red barn and farm market on Hwy 11w. Less known is the story of Stanley Ritter's Great, Great Aunt Rosa and her many quilts.


The “Crossed Paws” patterned quilt is on loan to the
Appalachian Quilt Trail by the Clinch-Powell RC&D and may be viewed at the Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center in Monroe County, Tennessee.



Crossed Paws belonged to Rosa Paralee Breeding Ritter (1890-1972). The date of the quilt's creation is circa 1890-1920. It's thought to be an early quilt of Rosa's creation or one passed on by her mother, Ellen Epperson Breeding. Rosa was an active quilter throughout her life. Although she was physically limited by arthritis that affected her ability to walk, her mind and hands were seldom idle. She took special pains to raise her children with strong, Christian values, pass along the family's rural Appalachian traditions, and participate in the upkeep of the home and farm. According to relative, Rama Phillips, Rosa “continued in the tradition of her mother and spent her 'sitting' hours embroidering, tatting, piecing, and quilting quilts with excellent, detailed workmanship.”


Rosa married Tilmon Ritter and settled in the area of Ritter Road in Washburn, Tennessee. Tilmon was a “mild-mannered, persistent farmer” with skills in blacksmithing and carpentry. Both were lifelong members of Salem Primitive Baptist Church in Washburn. The family homestead was located in a sheltered hollow. Later, as their boys grew, they set up several homes on the nearby ridge which became known as “Ritter Ridge” as this next generation lived out their lives overlooking their childhood home.


Rosa Ritter's mother Ellen had taught her to quilt and she, in turn, taught her daughters Ruby and Beulah Ritter. Quilting was something that the Ritter womenfolk did for enjoyment and to pass the hours, as well as for practical use. Over time, the quilts accumulated. When finished, they were put away for safekeeping. Some quilts were finely detailed, yet others were of a more utilitarian variety. Some finished quilt tops never made it into quilts. Many quilts were never used at all until the extra surplus was recently sold at the Grainger County Tomato Festival in Rutledge, Tennessee. Rosa's Crossed Paws quilt is among a collection of mostly utilitarian quilts and quilt tops made by Rosa and family that were purchased by Lindy Turner of the Clinch-Powell RC&D. Several of this collection are proudly displayed in the vintage rental cottage and cabins at the River Place ecotourism facility located at the ecologically important, Kyles Ford Mussel Shoal Preserve alongside the Upper Clinch River in Hancock County.


Crossed Paws reused feed sacks that may have contained anything from sugar to feed grain. The women later knitted potholders from the feed sack drawstrings. Nothing went to waste. The cotton used in the quilt for batting was grown and harvested on-site. It was later picked clean of seed and carded by hand. The brown back to the quilt, also made of feedsacks, was prepared by first bleaching the cloth to remove the lettering, then staining them with walnuts from a tree in the yard.


Many trends and conveniences came and went during Rosa and Tilmon's day, however, they preferred to retain much of the old homesteading traditions despite pressure to “modernize”. Rather than consider the old ways an inconvenience, their traditions were a source of pride and continual enjoyment. “In their minds, they were already wealthy because they were happy.” Generations later, the Ritter family have opened their doors to celebrate the farming tradition with all who pass their way. Today, the Ritter family is famous for great-tasting Grainger County tomatoes but also their barn, decorated with two AQT heritage quilt squares, can't be missed. The farm is now operated by Stanley and Tonya Ritter who sell produce off the farm but have diversified to offer many agritourism events including bluegrass and country music, historical reenactments, and heritage festivals. They also offer a wide variety of value-added products such as canned relishes, sauces, jellies, and jams that would make Rosa Ritter proud. (Rosa Ritter was Stanley Ritter's great, great aunt.)



--Much thanks to Rama Phillips for sharing her family history with the Appalachian Quilt Trail.


Note: this AQT Quilt Heritage Quilt Square narrative corresponds to a series of pre-made quilt squares available for immediate sponsoring.

See also: Story Ideas. If you would like to donate your stories or high-resolution photos from the Appalachian Quilt Trail, please send them to the AQT Director, along with your contact information. We welcome contributions from the Appalachian community.