Rachel C. Frye, Portsmouth, Rockingham,New Hampshire, 1817

Samplers worked on deep green linsey-woolsey are considered to be quite rare. Linsey-woolsey is a combination of vertical bluish-green linen threads (warp) and yellow-green wool horizontal filler (weft). According to Betty Ring in Girlhood Embroidery, Volume I, page 112, "A growing preference for samplers worked on a green ground became noticeable near the turn of the century. They appeared in Boston as early as 1788, and later throughout New England . . . they were especially popular in the coastal region from the northern shore of Massachusetts to southern Maine".

 Rachel Coburn Frye, was born in Portsmouth Sept. 25,1805 to Isaac Frye and Rachel Coburn. She married Samuel Bowles, also of Portsmouth, on 30 Oct 1832.

Rachel worked her sampler in a variety of stitches, showcasing her needlework skills. She included six alphabets as well as two numerical progressions On line 7 she  inscribed "Portsm" (for Portsmouth, New Hampshire) where she lived and then ends with the inscription at the bottom that reads: "Rachel C. Frye wrought this in the year one thousand eight hundred and seventeen in the twelfth year of her age.  June 30, 1817." The border, which frames the whole is meticulously worked.  The colors of the stitches are blue, pink, seafoam green, and gold which are visibly striking against the olive green ground. It appears that her intent in designing the sampler was to fill every available space with stitching . . . a task she succeded in most admirably.

The sampler is approximately 20x12inches and is laid on acid free board in its original antique frame with craquelure finish and old ripply glass.  The condition is wonderful overall. The color, contrast and resolution are all exceptional  and consistent throughout.  The blue horizontal lines are a dramatic stand out, as well as the yellows. All in all a very visibly striking piece.

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