Images(2)

Sampler, Map of Virginia by Helen E. Edmonds

Date1809 (dated)

Artist/Maker Helen E. Edmonds (d. 1826)

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Fauquier County

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 37 wefts by 39 warps

DimensionsOW: 18" x OL: 18"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2000-28

DescriptionThis is a square map sampler worked in brown and black silk threads on a linen ground of 37 wefts by 39 warps per inch. The sampler depicts a complete map of the state of Virginia with counties, cities, rivers, geographic features, and bordering states and territories. At the top right corner is a rectangular cartouche with the inscription: "A Map of Virginia / by Helen E Edmonds/ Fauquier County 1809."

Stitches: cross (over one and two threads), half cross, and reversible cross in outside border
Label TextIn the early decades of the nineteenth century, some American schoolgirls stitched maps as part of their needlework and geography lessons. Helen E. Edmonds, oldest daughter of Captain Elias Edmonds of Mount Airy and his first wife, Helen M. Edmonds, skillfully worked this map sampler of Virginia using cross, half cross and reversible cross stitches on a finely woven linen ground of 37 by 39 threads per inch. The embroidered map was probably based upon the printed 1807 Virginia map compiled under the direction of Bishop James Madison, first cousin of President James Madison. Just like the published engraving, Helen's embroidered map illustrates each of the counties, as well as bordering states, towns, mountain ranges, and rivers.
MarkingsFrom the back of the sampler frame: "Olde England Framing Ltd./ Gallery 2/ FRENCH QUARTER TANGLEWOOD MALL/ ROANOKE, VIRGINIA (703)989-3127/ "National Award Winning Frame Shoppe"
ProvenanceHelen E. Edmonds was probably the daughter of Captain Elias Edmonds (1768-1811) and his first wife Helen M. Edmonds who were married on November 5, 1792. Helen M. was the daughter of John Edmonds of Belle Grove and first cousin of Captain Elias Edmonds. Captain Edmonds and Helen M. Edmonds had three sons and two daughters, "all of whom died single, but of age." Helen M. Edmonds died on April 9, 1804 and Captain Edmonds married second Sarah Battaille Fitzhugh on August 24, 1807. Helen E. Edmonds, sampler maker, died in 1826.

In 1997, the former owner of the sampler wrote:
"The Edmonds family records passed down in our family are not only scarce, but sparse. Capt. Elias Edmonds' appearance in the records of our family actually began in the Fitzhugh records, as husband of one of William Fitzhugh's daughters. Therefore Helen is not listed in our family records as a daughter of Capt. Elias Edmonds, but my belief that she was, though from an earlier marriage, stems from the section in which the two children of Capt. Elias Edmonds and his wife, Sarah, (married in 1807), are recorded [in a transcript of Edmonds family papers found in the Fitzhugh Bible]--the first child as follows: 'Sarah Ann Edmonds, daughter of Capt Elias Edmonds and Sarah his wife was born June 15, 1809. Baptised by the Rev'd Mr. Thompson, her Sponsors were her aunt Catherine Payne, her sister Helen, her Uncle John Edmonds and Mr. Wm. Bell and her mother.' Since this newborn baby was the first child of the couple but Helen is listed as her sister, it seems to me that Capt. Eliza was probably married previously. This entry gave no last name for Helen, so I suppose it is conceivable Helen could be a product of an earlier marriage of her mother, but I am doubtful for several reasons--Elias was almost 40 at the time to this marriage while Sarah was only 22, and our records of the marriages and births on her side of the family during this era appear to have been kept very thoroughly."