Phebe Adaline Kilpatrick,
Deckertown, Essex, NJ, 
1835

Phebe Adaline Kilpatrick, daughter of Col. Simon Kilpatrick and Julia Wickham, was born in December of 1821 in Deckertown, NJ and was the oldest of four children born to Simon and Julia. Julia was the daughter of William Wickham, one of the pioneers of this part of Sussex County, and progenitor of the numerous families bearing his name in both Sussex and Orange counties. The family roots are firmly entrenched in this part of New Jersey as the family stayed and prospered there.

Phebe's siblings include William Wickham, Charity M. Kilpatrick, and Hugh Judson Kilpatrick. Of historical note, Phebe's brother Major General Hugh Judson Kilpatrick was a graduate of the West Point Class of 1861 and achieved rather dubious fame and the name "Kill-Cavalry" for his foolhardiness in combat. This name was bestowed upon him by his men as he rashly, ruthlessly, and some say, recklessly sent them into battle to be killed. He was involved in the Battle of Gettysburg, the siege of Richmond and Sherman's March to the Sea. Much has been written about him as he has been inducted into the "Civil War Hall of Shame" . . . a notorious scoundrel at best. The book, "Kill Cavalry" about Hugh Judson Kilpatrick, accompanies the sampler. As another interesting footnote, further genealogical research reveals that Phebe was the great aunt of Gloria Vanderbuilt.  Go here for an interesting read about the family . . . https://bit.ly/2F2aFIQ

Phebe, who lead a much less colorful life than her brother, married Abiah Wilson in 1839 and between them had five children . . . Albert, Edward, Walter, John, and Simon. They lived in the town of Wantage, NJ, where Abiah's family were among the earliest settlers. Phebe worked her sampler when she was 14 years old and it is truly a wonderful example. Worked in soft colors of Ivory and Cream, a beautifully executed naturalistic border of roses and rosebuds with Green vining encircles the whole. The sampler contains the verse: