The quilt top contains many double pinks and strong, unfaded purples

The backing material is likely "new," since the batting used is a
modern polyester. The weave of the fabric also is made from threads that are twisted and even.

The border and the sashing are made of different fabrics. Could this mean that one might be original (the sashing), while the other is "new"?

This is a close scan of the weave on the sashing material. The threads here are far less even. A sign of a pre-1900 fabric?

This is a close scan of the weave on the border material.   The threads here are far less even.  A sign of a pre-1900 fabric?

The batting, which shows through a hole in the fabric in the "fish" block, is polyester

This is Rebecca Cheesman's block.  There are black flecks, but the background is brown

The dark fabric used here is a deep purple color.

This is a strange, almost fushia color--a purply pink.

This is William Woster's block. The purple calico used here is quite dark.

This purple is a deeper grape color than the others.  Is it period to the 1840s?  The shade of color here is very similar to that used in William Woster's block.

The dark colors in this block are all purples.

The dark colors in this block--even the triangles--are all purples.

The dark color in this block is brown.