ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA OR BALTIMORE, MARYLAND NEEDLEWORK SAMPLER, silk and wool/other on linen, nine alphabet and numeral rows segmented by horizontal bands of decorative stitching, second line from the bottom signed "Elizabeth McFarlane's Sampler / Wrought A.D. 1840.", lower row with a scrolling strawberry vine band. Together with copies of letters from Albert E. Steidel, Gloria Seaman Allen, and Kristin B. Lloyd of The Lyceum. Housed under glass in a modern frame with a handwritten note that reads, "Made by Elizabeth McFarlane Peregoy / age 6 / Alan Jr's great grandmother" on the backing paper. Dated 1840. 8 5/8" x 17" sight, 9 3/4" x 18" OA.
Catalogue Note: Elizabeth McFarlane (McFarland/McFarline) was born in Virginia around 1835. Research completed by Steidel suggests possible identities of her father and mother, John (c. 1790-1845) and Margaret (c. 1791-1857). On p. 3 of the Alexandria Gazette for January 20, 1845, a death announcement reads, "In Baltimore, on the 17th inst., Mr. JOHN McFARLANE, aged 55 years. He was for a number of years a respected citizen of this place". Later, on p.3 for the August 1, 1857 edition, the Alexandria Gazette announced the death of Margaret McFarlane in Baltimore on July 29 of that year. It is unknown when the couple and their children moved from Alexandria to Baltimore, Maryland. The 1850 U.S. Census for Baltimore Ward 1 lists a Margaret McFarline [sic], born in Scotland, under dwelling no. 57, family no. 66, living with three presumably unmarried children, Robert, John, and Elizabeth McFarline/McFarland [sic], all born in Virginia. 
The Baltimore Sun recorded that William B. Peregoy (b. c. 1827) married Elizabeth on September 3. 1851. According to the 1860 and 1870 U.S. Census for Baltimore Ward 3, the couple had at least six children. In the 1900 U.S. Census for Baltimore Ward 12, Elizabeth is recorded as being widowed and residing with her unmarried daughter Margaret, her married daughter Ellie Smithson, son-in-law William Smithson, and granddaughter Elizabeth.
For an 1831 needlework sampler by her sister, Margreter McFarlane, in this auction, see lot 195.

Good to very good visual condition with linen having some toning, a few holes notably along the proper left side edge, some thread with minor to moderate fading/fugitive color, frame with some wear and surface scratches. Not examined out of frame.