Dorothy Walpole 1774

Description

An Irish Quaker sampler

Dorothy Walpole was born in New Garden in the Painestown Parish of Carlow, Ireland. On August 25th, 1794, she married Christopher Williams also of New Garden which was home to a large Quaker community. Where Dorothy worked her sampler is not known but it seems likely she attended a small private school in the locality. Certainly her family owned land in the area and enjoyed a reasonably comfortable lifestyle. Embroidered on unbleached linen this beautiful band sampler employs Florentine, cross, petit point, queen, herringbone and counted satin stitches. It is divided into sections within a simple strawberry border comprising alphabets in a variety of stitches, a four line verse, a wide band of Florentine work and flowers on curling stems with the petals dramatically outlined. On 40 count linen the reproduction sampler will measure approximately 9″ x 24″ and most closely approximates the size of the original. It is recommended for intermediate level needleworkers. (See also the sampler by her daughter, Mary Williams.

The initials DR remain a mystery. This genealogical information comes via Michael Goodbody.

According to the records in the Dublin Historical library, Dorothy Walpole was a Quaker by birth. She was born 9 September 1762, the daughter of John & Elisabeth Walpole. She died at New Garden 6 June 1829. She married 25 August 1793 Christopher Williams (also a Quaker) of New Garden, Co. Carlow and they had at least seven children, including the two daughters, Elisabeth (born 20 May 1794) and Mary, born 15 October 1797. Elisabeth, possibly known as Eliza died at Newgarden in 1858 aged 64 but that is uncertain. What happened to Mary is unknown. She would have been only seven years old when she did her sampler.

There were a number of sons, including George (born 4 May 1804), who moved to Dublin in 1842. He suffered continuing business difficulties and was “disowned” by the Quaker, although his children appear to have remained members. In 1829 George married Margaret Woods, by whom he appears to have had eight children, including sons George (b.1843) and James (b.1832) who were partners along with Robert Woods in the forerunner of Williams & Woods, preserve manufacturers. George and James were grandsons of Dorothy and Christopher Williams.

We can substitute the linen to any thread count that you prefer, for an additional fee which will vary according to the linen specified (please call or email samplers@scarlet-letter.com for substitutions)

BAND 13 WAS STITCHED WITH RICE STITCH ON THE ORIGINAL SAMPLER.

View the original antique sampler here