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Cyphering Book Containing Needlework Patterns Owned by Helen Skipwith

Date1800

Maker Helen Skipwith (1789-1864)

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Mecklenburg County

MediumInk on paper; metal pins

DimensionsOH 12 7/8" x OW 8 1/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2002-22,1

DescriptionThis is a manuscript cyphering book with Helen Skipwith's name on the pastedown. It contains exercises in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It also contains compound addition problems that use imaginary sums of British and “Federal,” or American, money. The final exercises in the book concern systems of troy and avoirdupois weight.
The book was also used to store cut paper patterns for embroidery. This book contained 602 paper and ink, cut and uncut needlework patterns, some of which are pinned together, some which have pins stuck into them, and many which are drawn on both sides. Designs consist of flowers, leaves, urns, baskets, ribbons, swags, bows, shells, etc. Four patterns have evidence of being cut from manuscript letters. One pattern for a toilet cloth appears to be in the hand of Lady Jean Skipwith. Another fragment lists two books to be purchased, another a poem in an unknown hand and the verso of a large pattern of an urn makes reference to "presents from Williamsburg and also of books".
The inside cover is signed "Helen Skipwith".
Label TextIn this cyphering book Helen Skipwith (1789-1864) learned to manage sums, convert currencies, and determine the weight of valuable goods. Although we do not know where she received her education, Helen most likely studied mathematics either at a female academy or seminary or at home under the instruction of her mother or a private tutor. The mathematical exercises that she worked would have prepared her for her future role as the manager of a large plantation.
The book was also used to store cut paper patterns for embroidery. These patterns were drawn by Lady Jean Skipwith (1747/8-1826) and presumably used by her and her daughter, Helen Skipwith. The patterns are remarkable for the sheer volume of the collection--almost 580 patterns and designs--and their relatively good condition despite their fragile materials of paper, pins, and ink. Given the very nature of how they were used, paper needlework patterns were often used up and, thus, rarely survive.
ProvenanceThis collection of needlework patterns, created by Lady Jean Skipwith, and cyphering book, owned by Helen Skipwith (Mrs. Tucker Coles, 1789-1864) were initially sold at some point in the late 1980s at an auction at Kearsage House in Albemarle County, Virginia, alongside other pieces that had descended in the Coles family. Colonial Williamsburg acquired the patterns from Frank Gilliam Rare Books in 2002.

History of Owner:
Helen Skipwith was born to Lady Jean Skipwith and her husband, Sir Peyton Skipwith, on June 25, 1789. Around 1810, Helen married Tucker Coles and moved to Tallwood Plantation in Albemarle County, Virginia. The couple had no children and Helen became the owner and manager of Tallwood after her husband’s death in 1861, until her death on December 31, 1864.

History of Maker
Lady Jean Skipwith was the daughter of Hugh Miller, a tobacco grower, merchant, and vestryman, and his wife, Jane Bolling Miller. On September 25, 1788, Jean married her former brother-in-law, Sir Peyton Skipwith. Not long after their marriage, the couple moved to Prestwould Plantation in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. At Prestwould, Jean oversaw the construction of an extensive garden and kept meticulous records of the plants it contained. Jean also compiled a large library that included a sizable collection of novels as well as books on botany, history, travel, geography, and other subjects. After the death of her husband in 1805, Lady Skipwith took over the management of Prestwould Plantation until her death on May 19, 1826.