Dr. Gloria Seaman Allen, author of the ground-breaking book on Maryland samplers (Allen, 2007) is conducting research for her new book on samplers and pictorial needlework from the Washington DC area. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the District of Columbia was comprised of three major urban areas: Alexandria, Georgetown, and Washington City. Alexandria and Georgetown were established as towns in the mid 18th century, mainly drawing from the Virginia and Maryland countryside. Washington City wasn't established until later in the 18th century, and the U.S. Congress didn't meet in the nation's new capital until November, 1800.
In effort to uncover more samplers from the three geographic centers that comprised the District of Columbia, Dr. Allen and her research team have created a list of the most common surnames of families living in each town during the 18th and 19th centuries (see list on right). It is hoped that you might own or know of a sampler stitched by a girl with one of these surnames, yet not be aware of the possibility that it was stitched in the District of Columbia. If you have a sampler stitched by a girl whose last name matches one on the list, and think there is a possibility it could have been stitched in the District of Columbia, please contact Gloria Allen (gsallen@aol.com) or Sue Slocum (Slocum_S@msn.com). They can do the research necessary to determine whether or not the sampler came from the District of Columbia.
And a reminder, if you live in the DC area, Dr. Allen and her research team will be conducting a Sampler ID Day on May 15, 2010, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm in the National Theatre's Helen Hayes Gallery, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC. Appointments are necessary, and can be made by contacting Sue Slocum at 240-416-2471 or via email (Slocum_S@msn.com).
Adams
Bohlayer
Borrows
Boswell
Brown
Bryant
Carbery
Carter
Cassady
Clubb
Cooper
Crowley
Dove
Ensey
Hancock
Holleran
Lacey
Latrobe
Lawrence
Masi
O'Brien
Ourand
Power
Prout
Quimby
Ridgeway
Rothwell
Simmons
Slade
Sutherland
Tait
Thompson
Ward
Wendell
Whitney
Wilson
Beck
Brightwell
Castor