Image
Description
Silk fabric with linen backing. Fabric and
stitching substantially discolored and faded. Embroidered wreath
with flowers, vine, and doves. Original colors included two shades
of green, two shades of red/rose, blue, brown, gray, and
off-white/cream. Dated March 30, 1838. -Printed- text in the center
reads "SISTER, FAITHFUL AS THE DOVE LET US PRESERVE THE WREATH THAT
EARLY LOVE HAS ENTWINED AROUND OUR HEARTS" and "Greensboro' Female
Academy, March 30, 1838." There was a Greensboro' Female Academy
founded in Greensboro in 1816 by the Rev. Dr. William D. Paisley,
pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. According to the April 1838
issue of The Patriot, Greensboro's newspaper, there was still a
Greensboro' Female Academy in operation at that time. The exact
significance of the March 30, 1838 date with respect to the
Greensboro' Female Academy is undetermined at the moment. While this
sampler resides in the collection of the Brock Historical Museum of
Greensboro College, it is believed that this sampler is associated
with that academy, rather than with the college's history. The
existence of the sampler, however, does further substantiate the
fact that the city of Greensboro was progressive in terms of
education, particularly women's education. This sampler was
originally attributed to Parthenia Leach (b. February 8, 1834 - d.
April 22, 1923), ex-officio 1850, of Randolph County, NC and was
presented to the college by Parthenia Leach's great niece, Mrs.
Bessie Alford Ballance, ex-officio 1895. Given the date of
Parthenia's time at the college (1849-50) and the date on the
sampler, however, it is unlikely that the sampler was worked by
Parthenia unless she had previously attended Greensboro' Female
Academy.