Object Details
maker
Downing, Phoebe E.
Description
Three block alphabets of 26 letters and numbers to 0. Five scattered eyelet stitches and short row of tent and reverse tent. Initials "ID," "ED," MSD," "PED," "RID," and "SWD." Border of simple geometric band on top and two sides. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: cross, rice, eyelet, crosslet, tent. THREAD COUNT: warp 23, weft 28/in.
Inscription:
"Phebe E 18 16 Downing"
Background:
Phoebe was born on December 23, 1807, to Joseph and Elizabeth Webster Downing in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Since the letters "I" and "J" were interchangeable, the initials "ID" were for her father, "ED" for her mother, "MSD" for her sister Mary S., "PED" for Phoebe, "RID" for brother Richard J., and "SWD" for sister Sarah W. An older brother Wesley R. died before the sampler was made, and another sister Thomazine was born after the sampler was made. Phoebe did not marry and died on August 20, 1849.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of Col. and Mrs. Whitney Ashbridge
Date made
1816
ID Number
TE.T17754
catalog number
T17754
accession number
316364
Object Name
sampler
Physical Description
linen (ground fabric material)
silk (embroidery thread material)
Measurements
overall: 7 1/2 in x 12 1/2 in; 19.05 cm x 31.75 cm
Place Made
United States: Pennsylvania, Downingtown
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Home and Community Life: Textiles
Samplers
Textiles
Data Source
National Museum of American History
depicted
Alphabets
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_639629