Andrew Johnson was elected President in 1865, the same year Cabot assigns to the pattern, and is visible in the headline of her newspaper article illustrated left. Johnson's wife's name was Eliza McCardle Johnson (see illustration right).

Cabot's quilt notes include the following:
"WHITE HOUSE is one of the old pieced patterns and was designed shortly after 1865. It is fundamentally a four patch pattern, but one of the most elaborate examples of that type. Two shades of blue and white are combined with a deep ecru, but the effect of the various wings of the White House is readily seen in the completed block. The pieced blocks are set together to form an all-over design. Individual taste may allow these blocks to set together with plain white ones in an alternate arrangement. Either way, the completed coverlet is one of outstanding beauty. The squares are large, measuring 15 inches, and forty-two are required for a spread measuring 90 by 105 inches."

More Four Patch Patterns by Nancy Cabot would include, for example:
ARKANSAS TRAVELER
    AURORA STARS
KNIGHT'S BLOCK
    WINDING TRAIL
WINGED SQUARES
    CASTOR & POLLUX
DIAMONDS & SHADOWS
    BROKEN DISHES
NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR