Peter Matilda (1842?-unknown)

Quilt square with red, white, and blue fabric representing the Lone Star. — Peter Matilda, "The Lone Star"

Josephine Golson in Bailey’s Light recorded that Peter Matilda was among the slaves Polley freed after the Emancipation Proclamation. However, he is not mentioned in J. H. Polley’s agreement to employ five of his formally enslaved men.

Peter McGreal sold fifteen-year-old Matilda to J. H. Polley on 16 December 1842. She was Esther’s daughter and had formerly been enslaved by Gowen Harris.

Was Peter Matilda related to Matilda?

I have not been able to find any more information on Peter Matilda.

His quilt square is “Lone Star”

This biographical selection is from The Enslaved People of J. H. Polley Plantation, Whitehall, Sutherland Springs, Texas 1836-1865. The collection is the work of independent scholar, Dr. Melinda Creech. Dr. Creech compiled and presents a biographical sketch of each of the enslaved along with a unique historic Texas quilt for each individual since photos of the 28 enslaved are not available. The collection is available to view in person at the Sutherland Springs Historical Museum.