The original (?) lyrics are found in the copy linked by Bill in Alabama. "Aunt Dinah's quilting party" appears in one printing (1856), seemingly unauthorized. An "August evening party" appears in another (1859) which the author claims is the only authorized and correct edition, as well as in the Georgia printing linked by Bill. Lyrics in the DT are of a later version.
Here is the 1859 version from sheet music published by Wm. A. Pond and Co., New York, author John Fletcher. "An unauthorized and incorrect copy of this song has been published under my name but without my consent. This is the ONLY CORRECT EDITION."

Lyr. Add: WHEN I SAW SWEET NELLIE HOME
Music John Fletcher.

In the sky the bright stars glittered
On the grass the moonlight fell.
Hushed the sound of daylight bustle
Closed the pink eyed pimpernell
As a-down the moss grown woodpath
Where the cattle love to roam
From an August evening party
I was seeing Nellie home.

Chorus:
In the sky the bright stars glittered
On the grass the moonlight shone
From an August evening party
I was seeing Nellie home.

When the autumn tinged the greenwood
Turning all its leaves to gold
In the lawn by elders shaded
I my love to Nellie told.
As we stood together gazing
On the star-bespangled dome
How I blessed the August evening
When I saw sweet Nellie home.

White hairs mingled with my tresses
Furrows steal upon mybrow
But a love smile cheers and blesses
Life's declining moments now.
Matron in the snowy kerchief
Closer to my bosom come
Tell me dost thou still remember
When I saw sweet Nellie home.

WHEN I SAW SWEET NELLIE HOME

Unauthorized(?) 1856 version, last line verse 1:
From Aunt Dinah's quilting party
I was seeing Nellie home.

No other differences to the lyrics, but the name Frances Kyle has been added as lyricist. Apparently she is responsible for the quilting party substitution.

Nicholas Tawa, editor, 1989, "American Solo Songs through 1865,, pp. 346-349," (Vol. 1 of "Three Centuries of American Music- A Collection of American Sacred and Secular Music," G. K. Hall & Co., pub.), accepted the 1859 version as the authorized publication, and only credits John Fletcher.