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WESTTOWN SCHOOL PENNSYLVANIA SAMPLER.

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WESTTOWN SCHOOL PENNSYLVANIA SAMPLER.
Phebe Downing, Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1800-1801, dark green silk on linen. Phebe's sampler exhibits the characteristics common to Westtown and Quaker marking samplers: the boxy upper case cross-stitched alphabet, centered bluebell and vine at the top and the use of ligatures. Good color on clean ground. 11 1/2"h. 10 3/4"w. Conservation mounted in appropriate style frame. 13 1/2"h. 12"w.

According to Westtown records, fourteen-year-old Phebe Downing entered the year old school the "12th mo 9th 1800" and left "12th mo 16th 1801". The initials stitched in the corners of her sampler all coincide with the names of classmates who attended at the same time. Two of her cousins also entered the school in 1800. Three other samplers made by Phebe are in Westtown School archives and are referred to in Betty Ring's Girlhood Embroidery p. 392.

Phebe (1785/1786-1845) was the daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Reece Downing of Downingtown, Pennsylvania. In 1823, at age 38, she married Jessie Meredith, a merchant and shoemaker in Downingtown. The Downings were a prominent Quaker family and early landowners and the town was eventually named after them.

Extensive research accompanies this lot, including copies of the school records.

Condition: Very minor toning at top and two small light spots on edge.

Descriptions provided in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Interested bidders are strongly encouraged to request a condition report on any lots upon which they intend to bid, prior to placing a bid. All transactions are governed by our Conditions of Sale.

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