Eliza Hoopes, Two Samplers

We are very pleased to offer two beautifully made Quaker samplers worked by Eliza Hoopes, of Goshen, Chester County, Pennsylvania; remarkably both were made in 1818 leaving no doubt as to how Eliza spent her time that year! The composition and execution of each sampler reflect the highly refined needlework that was produced in Chester County by schoolgirls taught at Friends schools, or under the instruction of Quaker teachers in the first two decades of the 19th century. Specifically notable is the extremely fine Roman style lettering. 

The influence of the instruction at Westtown School is very much in evidence on Eliza’s Extract sampler. The other sampler features many highly refined and beautiful stitched motifs arranged in a structured and balanced composition.The delightful flower pots in the upper corners, each formed of three hearts, appear on other important Chester County samplers made in the first decades of the 19th century. 

In keeping with another Chester County samplermaking tradition, Eliza provided much information about her parents and siblings. She was born August 29, 1802, to Imlah Hoopes (1775-1839) and Edith (Garrett) Hoopes (1784-1810), of East Bradford. Eliza married Isaac Pyle and they had six children. Interestingly, a maternal uncle, Amos Garrett (1794-1871) left Eliza a substantial part of his estate when he died in 1871. She lived her later years in New Castle County, Delaware and died there in 1885, buried in Centre Friends Meeting burial ground. 

Along with records from the Friends Historic Library, sources for this information include The Hoopes Family Record, A Genealogical Record Of The Hoopes Family, Descendants Of Daniel Hoopes Of Westtown, Chester County, Pennsylvania, Volume I, the first six generations compiled and edited by Gerald R. Fuller, D.V.M. 1979 and Historic Homes And Institutions And Genealogical And Personal Memoirs Of Chester And Delaware Counties, Pennsylvania, Gilbert Cope (The Lewis Publishing Company, 1904). A very thorough research file accompanies the samplers. 

Interestingly, some time ago we offered the very excellent sampler made one year earlier by Eliza’s younger sister, Sarah G. Hoopes , which was in the personal collection of Susan Swan for many years.

The samplers were each worked in silk on linen and are in excellent condition. They have been conservation mounted and, significantly, remain in their fine, original mahogany frames. The samplers will remain together.