Or at least that remains true for Diane Smith of Spokane, Washington, whose female ancestors can all be traced back to the American Revolution in Bedford County, where all were bequeathed spinning wheels, according to Patriot estate wills.

Smith’s son, Tony, said he immediately connected his mother’s love of crochet to their ancestors’ hobbies, noting that Smith created 300 afghans throughout her lifetime.

“Going through the lineage process has caused me to understand my mother better, and I know what makes her tick now,” he said.

In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, Tony commissioned Smith to spin yarn, creating a crocheted American flag dedicated to an ancestor and Revolutionary War Patriot, Peter Mock Sr.

A closeup view of the marker on Diane Smith’s afghan that is currently on display at the Bedford Historical Society. The blanket is dedicated to her ancestor, Peter Mock Sr., who was a Patriot in Bedford during the American Revolution. Courtesy photo

The afghan is currently on display at the Bedford County Historical Society.

“I hope visitors traveling through Pennsylvania will stop and support local historical societies and see tangible items from the American Revolution,” Tony said.

In 2017, Tony Smith, who lives in Florida, took a DNA test but didn’t dive deep into his results until a few years later, discovering his ancestors through the website Find a Grave. In December 2024, he decided to create his family tree and discovered that he descended from at least 20 patriot soldiers, one of whom was named Peter Mock Sr.

According to “American Patriot: Peter Mock Sr.,” written by descendant William Roy Mock, Peter Mock emigrated from Germany with his family in 1758. Mock lived in Maryland before eventually moving to St. Claire Township in Bedford County.

Peter’s wife, Elizabeth, died in 1813, and he died in 1817. They’re both buried in the Peter Mock graveyard on their farm in St. Claire Township.

Peter’s son, Christian, donated the land in 1844 where the Mock Meeting Church sits today. While the church is no longer used for religious services, it continues to be used for special events, funerals and community gatherings.

Peter is only one of the Patriots that Tony can trace his lineage back to, he said, adding that he’s related on his mother’s side to a few Revolutionary soldiers based in Bedford. His sixth great-grandfather also witnessed Pennsylvania politician George Taylor sign the Declaration of Independence, and his fifth great-grandfather had a professional and personal relationship with Taylor.

Tony Smith is currently a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, known as the SAR.

Tracing his ancestors back to the Declaration of Independence, he said he developed a new perspective about the American Revolution.

“This is real and not as far back as we think it is when you see that you share DNA with these people,” he said. “It makes it more real and more incredible.”

Diane Smith, 78, was shocked to learn that several of her ancestors lived in Bedford, as their family has lived in Spokane, Washington, since the early 1900s.

“My family has been here for a long time,” she said.

When Tony approached her about creating an afghan, she originally thought it was for him. It took her about three months to create 13 stars and add a 1776 section on the blanket.

Knowing that her work is now hanging in the Bedford County Historical Society, she is proud of her afghan.

“As Patriots, we have a commitment to our country, to strive and build things to have a good country,” she said.

Tony wanted his mother to connect to her roots, so he thought an afghan design would be the perfect way to pay tribute to the women before her.

“I wanted to do it to give people something to touch, so they could see six generations together,” he said. “These traits continue through people.”

Bedford County Historical Society board member Carol Scott said the afghan is currently on display in their cabinet for visitors to see. The historical society and Pioneer Library are located in The Hall at Kinton’s Knob, 6441 Lincoln Highway (Route 30), Bedford. The phone number is 814-623-2011.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.