Sampler by Caroline A. Brockman

Date1842

Maker Caroline A. Brockman (1833 - 1910)

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Orange County (possibly)

MediumSilk embroidery threads on linen ground of 28 warps X 32 wefts per inch (fiber identification by eye)

DimensionsOH:16" x OW: 17 3/8"

Credit LineGift of The Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA

Object number2023-82

DescriptionThis is almost square sampler worked in faded shades of blue, green, brown, gold, and cream silk embroidery threads on a natural color linen ground. The top half of the sampler consists of alphabets, numerals, and signature line:
"a-z" lowercase block in cross over one stitch; diamond motif; "PAG"
Band of cross over one stitch
"A-U" uppercase block in cross over one stitch
Band of double cross stitch
"V-Z" uppercase block in cross over one stitch; "1-11"; diamond motif; "S....G...."
Band of crossover one stitch
"A-M" uppercase block in double stitch stitch
Sawtooth band of satin stitch
"N-X" uppercase block in eyelet stitch
Sawtooth band of queen stitch
in four-sided stitch
Below the signature line in a rectangular reserve outlined in cross stitch is:
"Samuel L Brockman" "C.C.B." "V.A.B."
"Frances A. Brockman" "J.E.B." "L. B. E. B."
Below this is another reserve outlined in cross stitch with the verses:
"Hope is a pledge of glorious rest/ To weary mortals green/ We cultivate the Flower on earth/ And reap the Fruit in heaven".
"The ransomed of the earth with joy/ Shall in their robes of beauty come/ And find a rest without alloy/ Amid the Christian's happy home"
"M L. Bond." "L Q B." "H Q Brockman. died 1837"
"M A. B."
"J L. B"
"S G...." "L F. G." "A T. B"
The sampler is enclosed on all four sides in an undulating vine and leaf border with queen-stitched diamonds in each corner. It has a one-fourth inch hem at top and bottom and selvages on the sides.
Stitches: cross over one and two, double cross, eyelet, four-sided, queen
Inscribed"Hope is a pledge of glorious rest/ To weary mortals green/ We cultivate the Flower on earth/ And reap the Fruit in heaven".
"The ransomed of the earth with joy/ Shall in their robes of beauty come/ And find a rest without alloy/ Amid the Christian's happy home"
Markings"PAG" / "S....G...."
"Samuel L Brockman" "C.C.B." "V.A.B."
"Frances A. Brockman" "J.E.B." "L. B. E. B."
"M L. Bond." "L Q B." "H Q Brockman. died 1837"
"M A. B."
"J L. B"
"S G...." "L F. G." "A T. B"
ProvenanceFrom at least 1850, the artist, Caroline A. Brockman [1833-1910] (Orange County, VA); 1898-2023, Valentine Museum (Richmond, VA); 2023 - present, transferred to The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)