Early American Patriotic Needlework

Early American Patriotic Needlework

This simple but wonderful needlework expresses the sentiments of the Lt Colonel Charles Allen (wife – Mary Venable Allen) family. Colonial families in Virginia and other colonies focused on the struggle for freedom which was paramount in their minds during the Revolutionary War and even the War of 1812 as the British challenged the colonist’s right for “Independence”. Charles Allen was appointed a Lieutenant of Prince Edward County, VA Militia by Patrick Henry in 1780. Lt Allen was attached to the Regiment commanded by Colo Henry Skipwith in General Baron von Steuben’s Army in Virginia. In the spring of 1781, his regiment was marched to Little York (Yorktown) and was engaged in building entrenchments until Lord Cornwallis surrendered in October 1781. Charles home was called “Dover” and was two miles east of Farmville, VA.  Colonel Charles Allen’s graveyard is at “Dover” in the Colonel Charles Allen Family Cemetery.

Provenance:
Allen Family, Farmville, VA; Governor’s Antiques, Mechanicsville, VA;
Dr Francis Amos, Rocky Mount, VA; Gordon Barlow, Swoope, VA (2024)