This is an alphabet and numeral sampler, executed in green, gold, brown, and pink silk thread on linen, using a variety of stitches including cross, queen, eyelet and Irish stitch, over a verse:
honour thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon
the land which the lord thy god giveth thee

Signed beneath the verse:
Issabella McDowell
born the 11th of August 1781
worked in Lexington, May 7th, 1791

The condition report at the 2016 Case Auction noted four areas of repair, one at upper right near letter N, one upper left over C, one center left at letter O, one at center letter U and a 1/4"hole under letter M at right center. Overall light discoloration, fading and staining was noted.

Research since the sale in 2007 at Leland Little Auctions indicates this is one of the earliest known Kentucky samplers. Isabella McDowell was the daughter of Col. James McDowell, who moved to Kentucky from Virginia following his service in the Revolutionary War. Fayette County, Kentucky court records include a deposition by Capt. McDowell taken June 21, 1800 as part of a land survey dispute in which he testified "I settled at the plantation where I now live in fall of the year 1784," which would place the family in Lexington at the time the sampler was made. In 1792 McDowell was appointed by Gov. Shelby, one of the three first Majors of the State; he also served in the War of 1812.

Issabella McDowell is a descendant of a distinguished family who played an important role in the early settlement and history of Virginia as well as Kentucky. Isabella, born August 11, 1781 in Lexington, Virginia was the daughter of James McDowell (1760-1843) and Mary Paxton Lyle (1763 - abt. 1843). Her parents, both of Irish descent, were born in Rockbridge, Virginia. In 1810, Isabella married Dr. John Poage Campbell (1767-1814), who graduated from Hampden-Sydney College in 1790 and took up medicine and theology and was elected as a trustee to Washington College. Dr. Campbell was among the very first clergymen to proclaim the doctrine of constitutional and legal emancipation of the Negro slaves. Together they had four children and lived in Fayette, Kentucky. Both Issabella's father and paternal grandfather, Samuel McDowell (1735-1817) fought in the Revolutionary War in Virginia Regiments. Her grandfather was a delegate from Augusta County, VA to the House of Burgesses for two terms. He was in the Battle of Point Pleasant and served as Commander of the Rockbridge Company in the Battle of Guilford in 1781. He was president of the conventions in which the first Kentucky Constitution was written in 1792. His wife and Issabella's grandmother, Mary McClung, is listed in Virginia Prominent Families. Captain John McDowell (1718/19-1742), Issabella's great grandfather, was killed December 25, 1742 near the forks of the James River when he was ordered by Col. James Patton to escort a group of troublesome Indians beyond the settlement of Borden. He is buried in Borden's Grant. Captain McDowell's wife was also a colorful character in Rockbridge. Magdalena Woods (1703/05-1810) was the wealthiest woman on the frontier, known for her decided force of character and her wild rides on stallions throughout the county.
Issabella died in 1838 in Lexington, Kentucky.