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2023-87, Sampler
Sampler by Frances Ragsdale
2023-87, Sampler

Sampler by Frances Ragsdale

Date1797
Maker Frances Ragsdale (1784 - 1823)
OriginAmerica, Virginia, King William County
MediumSilk embroidery threads on linen of 24 warps by 23 wefts per inch (fiber identification by eye)
DimensionsOH: 13" x OW: 12 1/4"
Credit LineGift of The Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA
Object number2023-87
DescriptionThis is an almost square sampler worked on an off-white linen ground in brown, blue, pink, off-white, and green silk embroidery thread. From the top the sampler consists of:
Simple band in cross stitch
"A-I' "K L M M N N' uppercase in cross stitch
Simple band of cross stitch
"O-Z" uppercase; "&" and heart motif in cross stitch
Zig zag band in cross stitch
"1-9" "0" and diamond motif in cross stitch
Simple band of cross stitch
"a-i" "k-ss-u" lowercase in cross stitch
Band of cross stitch
"v-z" lowercase "Frances Ragsdale"
Band of cross stitch
"Was. Born November. 5. 1784"
Band of cross stitch
"DBR" "FR" BR" "AR" "MHR" and a heart motif in cross stitch
Band of cross stitch
"AR" "MR" "MR"
Band of cross stitch
"A-I" uppercase in eyelet stitch
Band of eyelet stitch
"K-T" uppercase in eyelet stitch
Band of eyelet stitch
"U-Z." uppercase in eyelet stitch "Fran" in cross over one stitch
Band of cross over one
"ces Ragsdale 12 years old 97" in cross over one
The sampler is finished with a selvage at right side, and 1/4" hems on top, bottom, and left side.
Stitches: cross over one and two, eyelet
Markings"DBR" "FR" BR" "AR" "MHR"
"AR" "MR" "MR"
Provenance1801, made by Frances Ragsdale [1784-1823] (King William County, VA); ?, in the collection of Dr. De La Warr Benjamin Easter [1867-1933] (Baltimore, MD; Ashland, VA; Lexington, VA); ?-1934, Mrs. G. W. Bonte; 1934-2023, given to the Valentine Museum (Richmond, VA); 2023-present, transferred to The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)