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2021-188, Sampler
Sampler by Rachel Cox
2021-188, Sampler

Sampler by Rachel Cox

DateDecember 16, 1791
Maker Rachel Cox (1783-1860)
OriginAmerica, Maryland, Talbot County
MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 27 wefts per 24 warps per inch (fiber identification by eye)
DimensionsOH: 22" x OW: 10"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number2021-188
DescriptionThis is an unframed rectangular sampler worked in a band format in shades of rust, pink, blue, black cream, purple, brown, yellow, and several hues of green silk embroidery threads on a linen ground. There are selvages at top and bottom, and a 3/8” hem at sides. The top third of the sampler consists of bands of stitches, a decorative band of diamonds, and a wide band of undulating stemmed flowers. The second third of the sampler consists of an upper case block alphabet, “A-I” “K-P” Q-Z’ worked in cross stitch; the numerals “1-14”; an undulating “lollipop” band; a lowercase block alphabet “a-w”; and four blocks of straight stitches in darning patterns. These are divided by bands of longarm cross stitch. The bottom third of the sampler consists of the verse: “A Wits a Feather/ and a Chiefs a Rod/ An honest Man is/ the noblest work of God”. Below the verse is the signature: “R[?] Rachel Cox/ aged eight years/ finished this Sampler/ the 16 day of December/ 1791." Below this at bottom edge of sampler is a wave motif band.

Stitches: cross over 2, longarm cross, running, straight stitches in darning patterns
Label TextThis band sampler was worked by Rachel Cox of Talbot County, Maryland. Talbot County, located in the center of the Eastern Shore, is one of Maryland’s oldest counties. During the early years of the young republic some of the wealthiest men in Maryland lived there. Although their daughters had ample opportunities to study needlework and sampler making, only about a dozen embroideries can be attributed to Talbot County girls. Rachel worked her sampler in a rather old-fashioned long format with multiple decorative bands, blocks of darning patterns, and a verse found in Alexander Pope's "An Essay on Man." Although the silk embellishment threads have faded substantially, one can see evidence of the bright pinks, purples, blues, and greens that they once were.
Inscribed“A Wits a Feather/ and a Chiefs a Rod/ An honest Man is/ the noblest work of God”.
ProvenanceOther than vendor, there is no known provenance.

History of Sampler Maker:
Rachel Cox was the daughter of Isaac Cox and Rebecca Thomas Cox of Talbot County, Maryland. On April 22, 1801, she married James Neall in Talbot County. They had at least three children: Isaac Cox Neall (1807-1881), James Neall (1811-1893), and Rachel Cox Neall (1816-1889). Rachel Cox Neall died on September 19, 1860, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is buried at Fair Hill Burial Ground in Philadelphia.