Rebecca Longley

Some samplers present an appealing and classic composition featuring strong alphabets and an inscription surrounded by a floral border, and we find these to hold strong appeal. Rebecca Longley lived in Waterford, a small town in southwestern Maine, 10 miles north of Bridgton. She was the daughter of Eli and Mary (Whitcomb) Longley and was born as she stitched on her sampler, on August 28, 1802. She may have made her sampler under the instruction of a local teacher and was most likely between 10 and 13 years old at the time. 

Rebecca likely enjoyed stitching the four wonderful birds perched on the leafy branches with pink buds. Her largest alphabet was stitched entirely in the eyelet stitch, with the exception of the letter z, as it just barely fits on that line. 

Much is known about the Longley family as their history and accomplishments are well-documented in Genealogical and Family History of the State of Maine (Lewis Historical Publishing Company, New York, 1909) and A History of Norway, Maine from the Earliest Settlements to the Close of the Year 1922 (Norway, Maine, 1924). 

The family in America began with William Longley (1614-1680), who was born in Lincolnshire, England and settled in Groton, Massachusetts after his arrival in America. The early history of ensuing generations of the Longley family includes an Indian attack in 1694 and much later, engagement in the Lexington and Concord Alarms of April 1775 and further service in the Revolutionary War. Rebecca’s father, Eli, was only 12 years old when he took part in the battle of Bunker Hill, according to published history. In 1789 he removed with his family to Waterford, Maine. He built the first hotel and store and operated the tavern there until 1817 when he sold the business and removed to Raymond, a town 25 miles south, where he established another inn. 

Rebecca married John Sawyer (1800-1870) and together they ran the inn in Raymond along with her father. They had 8 children and Rebecca died in 1879. SHe is buried in Lakeside Cemetery in Casco. 

The sampler was worked in silk on linen and is in excellent condition. It has been conservation mounted and is in a mahogany frame.