Phebe Howland

This is a very fine and classic Quaker sampler made in the coastal town of Dartmouth, located on Buzzards Bay, about 55 miles due south of Boston. The Dartmouth Monthly Meeting was founded in 1699, and this Quaker community defined the town's culture, early commerce, and social reforms for much of its early history. 

The sampler is signed, “Phebe Howland’s Sampler wrought in the 15th year / of her Age born fourth Month 29th day AD 1801 / Dartmouth twelfth Month 15th day AD 1815,” reflecting the Quaker phrasing of dates. Below that is our favorite couplet that some samplermakers used, “Count that day lost whose low descending sun / Views from thy hand no worthy actions done.” Two moralistic verses were carefully stitched as well, with all of the lettering accomplished in black, another characteristic of the Quaker samplermaking tradition. 

The border - an outstanding composition of flower blossoms and fat buds on a rhythmic vine - is very interesting as it’s more decorative than the type of needlework found on most Quaker samplers. It provided a perfect showcase for Phebe’s advanced skills in the needle arts while also framing the sampler beautifully.

Phebe was the daughter of Asa and Rhoby (Russell) Howland. They were married at the Dartmouth Monthly Meeting in 1798. In 1820, Phebe married Elijah Macumber (1792-1868), also of Dartmouth. Elijah was not a Friend and the Monthly Meeting appointed a committee to consider whether or not Phebe could remain a member of the Meeting, as she had appealed to do so. They concluded in her favor. Many photocopies of these records are included in the research file that accompanies the sampler. Phebe died in 1841.

Worked in silk on linen, the sampler is in excellent condition. It has been conservation mounted and is in a molded and black painted frame. 

photo of reverse