Lucinda Irene Cole

We rarely find samplers made in Indiana and are delighted with this one, which was made in White County, about 90 miles west of Fort Wayne. While this is somewhat later in date than many samplers, the depiction of the American eagle with shield and clutch of arrows and the couplet, “The Eagle bold / Our Shield shall hold,” impart a compelling significance.

The maker, Lucinda Irene Cole, was born in 1852 in White County, Indiana, to Avery Ambrose and Irene (Palmer) Cole. By 1850, they were living in Indiana, where Avery farmed in the summer and taught school in the winter. He was also a Baptist Minister circuit rider and considered one of the most able in northern Indiana. 

The Cole family was living in Monon, White County, Indiana as recorded in the 1870 census and later removed to Columbus County, Kansas, where Avery and Irene are buried in 1896 and 1901, respectively. 

We were able to find that the couplet, “The Eagle bold / Our Shield shall hold,” was part of a wonderful song entitled “Independence Day,” written by George Kingsley and published in 1841 in The School Reader by Charles W. Sanders published by Ivison & Phinney, New York.

Samplers worked on perforated paper, also known as Bristol Board, became very popular in the third quarter of the 19th century. The needlework can be accomplished with delicate silk stitches as is the case with Lucinda’s work.

There is some slight discoloration to the Bristol Board; the needlework is in excellent condition with slight fade. 
Importantly, this is in its very good original frame which retains a stamped label on the back, “From E. M. Barnes, Books, Notions & c. Delphi, IND.” Delphi is about 30 miles from Monon. 

photo of framer's stamp on back of the frame