American Samplers

The earliest known American sampler was made by Loara Standish of the Plymouth Colony about 1645. By the 1700s, samplers depicting alphabets and numerals were worked by young women to learn the basic needlework skills needed to operate the family household. By the late 1700s and early 1800s, schools or academies for well-to-do young women flourished, and more elaborate pieces with decorative motifs such as verses, flowers, houses, religious, pastoral, and/or mourning scenes were being stitched. The parents of these young women proudly displayed their embroideries as showpieces of their work, talent, and status.

In recent years, samplers have become important in museum collections as representations of early American female education. Many are signed, and some are inscribed with locations and the names of teachers and schools. The emergence of large numbers of these samplers has resulted in much research in diaries, account books, letters, newspaper ads, local histories, and published commentary that is helping to illuminate the lives of women in early America.

Many early samplers do not have the letters “J” and “U” in their alphabets because they were not part of the early Latin alphabet and so the letter “I” was used for “J” and the “V” for “U.” The letter “s” is often replaced with the printers “s” which looks like the modern f.

There are 137 American samplers in the Textile Collection. The first was donated in 1886, the Margaret Dinsmoor sampler. In the 1890s the Copp Collection was received and it contained two samplers—one by Esther Copp and the other by her great niece Phebe Esther Copp. (The Copp Collection is an extensive collection of 18th-and 19th- century household textiles, costume items, furniture, and other pieces belonging to the Copps, a prosperous but frugal Connecticut family.) The earliest dated sampler in the collection was made in 1735 by Lydia Dickman of Boston, Massachusetts.

Two block alphabets. Upper-case alphabet has 26 letters; lower-case alphabet has no "J." One script alphabet with no "J" or "U." Numbers 1 through 14. Border of a vine with triangular flowers or leaves. Silk embroidery thread on linsey-woolsey; blue linen warp, tan wool weft.
Description
Two block alphabets. Upper-case alphabet has 26 letters; lower-case alphabet has no "J." One script alphabet with no "J" or "U." Numbers 1 through 14. Border of a vine with triangular flowers or leaves. Silk embroidery thread on linsey-woolsey; blue linen warp, tan wool weft. STITCHES: cross, Algerian eye, hem. THREAD COUNT: warp 27, weft 26/in.
Inscription:
"Embroidry [sic] decks
The canvas round
And yields a pleasing view
So virtue tends
to deck the mind
and form its blisful [sic] state
Mary W Tyler aged 12 years
Background:
This may have been made by Mary Welles Tyler, born on April 2, 1792, to Nathan and Nancy Tyler, or by Mary Whitwell Tyler, born on June 23, 1798, to Royall II and Mary Tyler.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1775-1825
maker
Tyler, Mary W.
ID Number
1991.0764.01
catalog number
1991.0764.01
accession number
1991.0764
One script alphabet no "J." Two block alphabets with 26 letters and numbers to 0. One partial and three complete geometric crossbands. Two small flower baskets and border on all four sides.
Description
One script alphabet no "J." Two block alphabets with 26 letters and numbers to 0. One partial and three complete geometric crossbands. Two small flower baskets and border on all four sides. Framing center is simple zig-zag, geometric strawberry vine in middle, Greek-key band at outside edge. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: cross, crosslet, queen. THREAD COUNT: warp 29, weft 32/in.
Inscriptions:
"Remember now thy Creator in the days
of thy youth while the evil days come not
nor the years draw nigh when thou shalt
say i have no pleasure in them.
Susan H Salter aged 10 years Elizabethtown
7th May 1826"
Background:
Susan Henrietta was born on April 7, 1816, to Thomas and Susan Henrietta Williamson Salter in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. She married George W. Wallace in 1843 and they had three children—William, Thomas, and Elizabeth. The sampler descended in the family of her sister, Harietta Matilda Spencer Salter, who married Elisha Codwise.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1826
associated dates
1967 06 09
maker
Salter, Susan H.
ID Number
TE.H11981
accession number
51998
catalog number
H11981
One script and four block alphabets. Numbers to 10 and to 16. Two large and one small alphabet colored in groups of two; fourth alphabet colored in groups of four; numbers and smallest alphabet one color.
Description
One script and four block alphabets. Numbers to 10 and to 16. Two large and one small alphabet colored in groups of two; fourth alphabet colored in groups of four; numbers and smallest alphabet one color. Rows of alphabets and numbers separated by geometric crossbands; some geometric motifs used to fill spaces on rows of alphabets. Lower third of sampler contains two urns of free-stitched flowers surrounding large basket of fruit with side leaves. Geometric design border on all four sides. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: cross, crosslet, satin, Algerian eye, rice, double herringbone, stem, four-sided. THREAD COUNT: warp 29, weft 29/in.
Inscription:
"[Margaret] C. Simmons Work Washington City Oct th 2 d
1827"
Background:
Margaret was born about 1819 to James and Mary Simmons. James is listed as a cooper, a barrel-maker, living at the Navy Yard in the 1822 Washington, D.C. directory. The court records of the District of Columbia record the marriage of Margaret C. Simmons to Patrick Dowling on May 9, 1839. In 1847 they had a son named Julius, who married Rosa M. Kuhn on January 10, 1877. Julius enlisted to serve in the Civil War in 1864 under the alias name of John Dickson. Miss Simmons's first name is missing from her sampler, but she made another sampler, typical of Navy Yard samplers, that included her whole name. Finding that sampler in a private collection made it possible to identify this sampler. Margaret died sometime after the birth of Julius in 1847, and before October 2, 1852, when her husband Patrick remarried.
Date made
1827
maker
Simmons, Margaret C.
ID Number
2000.0143.01
catalog number
2000.0143.01
accession number
2000.0143
Three block alphabets of 26 letters (one incomplete); one script alphabet to "V"; no "J"; numbers to 9. Alphabets and numbers colored in pairs or groups with all rows separated by simple geometric crossbands.
Description
Three block alphabets of 26 letters (one incomplete); one script alphabet to "V"; no "J"; numbers to 9. Alphabets and numbers colored in pairs or groups with all rows separated by simple geometric crossbands. At bottom of sampler, pair of birds on trees and pair of urns with flowers. Border of simple geometric meandering band on all four sides. Silk embroidery thread on dark green linsey-woolsey ground; warp is blue linen and weft is green wool. STITCHES: cross, satin, hem. THREAD COUNT: warp 24, weft 34/in.
Inscription:
"Anzolette Hussey Aged
9 Years Nov 7th 1821"
Background:
Anzolette was born on April 7, 1812, to Captain Andrew (1783–1861) and Mary Tredick Hussey in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She married Ebenezer Knight on June 15, 1835, and they had five daughters—Mary, Ariadne, Hannah E., Sarah K., and Abby. Anzolette died on November 20, 1895, in Washington, D.C., but is buried in Portsmouth. This sampler is very different from her other one and was probably worked at a different school. In 1827, at the age of fourteen, she was a student in the First Female School of Portsmouth. Throughout her life she used two different spellings for her first name. See Annzalette Hussey for her other sampler.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1821
maker
Hussey, Anzolette
ID Number
TE.H33960
catalog number
H33960
H. (/) 33960
accession number
63786
Block upper-case alphabet of 26 letters, plus additional letters "NSABCDMHW." Three block lower-case alphabets of 26 letters. Script alphabet to "W" ("XYZ" in lower part of sampler, with inscription). Numbers 1 to 0 and vowels follow inscription.
Description
Block upper-case alphabet of 26 letters, plus additional letters "NSABCDMHW." Three block lower-case alphabets of 26 letters. Script alphabet to "W" ("XYZ" in lower part of sampler, with inscription). Numbers 1 to 0 and vowels follow inscription. All these rows separated by simple crossbands. At bottom of sampler, flowering plant with birds, flanked by large urns of flowers and small flowering plants; much of this section worked in crinkled silk thread. Guidelines under some flowers and stems. Border of geometric flowering vine edged by narrow bands. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: satin, cross, stem, crosslet, chain, eyelet, surface satin, straight, encroaching satin, roumanian. THREAD COUNT: warp 22, weft 22/in.
Inscriptions:
"Youth like the sPring in verdues clad InraPtu'd beauties they disPlay
Their blooming smiles Profusive shed Which win the heart but fade awaY
Nancy Batchelder aged twelve years aeiou wy
Whilst You ingraVe with Silken art
Let Virtue occuPy Your heart"
Background:
Nothing is known about the life of Nancy Batchelder.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1800-1825
maker
Batchelder, Nancy
ID Number
TE.T08816
catalog number
T8816
accession number
164484
One script and two block alphabets of all 26 letters; all these rows separated by simple crossbands. Numbers to 9 (below inscription). All letters and numbers worked in black. In lower register, hearts, flower-basket, flowering plants, birds.
Description
One script and two block alphabets of all 26 letters; all these rows separated by simple crossbands. Numbers to 9 (below inscription). All letters and numbers worked in black. In lower register, hearts, flower-basket, flowering plants, birds. Inscription in solidly filled lozenge. Border of simple geometric band on all four sides. Silk embroidery thread on cotton canvas ground. STITCHES: cross, long-armed cross, herringbone, queen. THREAD COUNT: warp 23, weft 23/in.
Inscription:
"Maria Minton
aged 13 years"
Background:
Nothing is known about the life of Maria Minton.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1826
maker
Minton, Maria
ID Number
TE.T11675
catalog number
T11675
accession number
219034
Four block alphabets of 26 letters. Numbers to 14; two rows of initials "MG," "JG," "CG," "LAG,"; "RG," "AG," "WCG," and "JG." Two alphabets, numbers, and initials colored in pairs.
Description
Four block alphabets of 26 letters. Numbers to 14; two rows of initials "MG," "JG," "CG," "LAG,"; "RG," "AG," "WCG," and "JG." Two alphabets, numbers, and initials colored in pairs. All these rows separated by simple crossbands, and included in them, apple worked in pulled thread and patch of shaded florentine stitch; these rows separated from inscription by geometric strawberry crossband. Flanking inscription, two baskets of flowers. Border of geometric carnation vine on all four sides. Silk thread on cotton ground. STITCHES: cross, crosslet, queen, stem, satin, herringbone, eyelet, rice, tent, four-sided, outline, padded satin, Irish, pulled thread. THREAD COUNT: warp 26, weft 34/in.
Inscriptions:
"O blest Religion heavenly fair
Thy kind thy healing power.
Can sweeten Pain alleviate care
And gild each gloomy hour.
Lydia Ann Garton was Born
April 4th AD 1811 Did this Work
in the 10th Year of her age AD 1820"
Background:
Lydia Ann was born on April 4, 1811, to Mark and Jane Cowgill Garton in Cumberland, New Jersey. The initials on her sampler are for her parents Mark and Jane, and for her and her siblings Charles, Lydia Ann, Rebecca, Ann, William Cowgill, and Jane. Lydia married William Murphy on June 20, 1833, in Cumberland, and they had five children—Sarah, Ann, John, Charles, and Mary. William was a glass blower, and they resided in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1820
maker
Garton, Lydia Ann
ID Number
TE.T13433
catalog number
T13433
accession number
254791
One script alphabet, two block alphabets. 26 letters with two or three styles of some capital letters. Numbers 1 to 0 and to 8. These rows separated by rows of cross-stitch. Border of single row of cross-stitch on all four sides. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground.
Description
One script alphabet, two block alphabets. 26 letters with two or three styles of some capital letters. Numbers 1 to 0 and to 8. These rows separated by rows of cross-stitch. Border of single row of cross-stitch on all four sides. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: cross, four-sided, crosslet. THREAD COUNT: warp 23, weft 24/in.
Inscription:
"Zealously pursue the course
That leads young minds to god
For faith and love & holy hope
Point to the blest abode
S Hall"
Background:
Sylvia was born on April 18, 1805, to Andrews and Sylvia Blakeslee Hall in Wallingford, Connecticut, and she died there in 1859. See her mother's (Sylvia Blakeslee) sampler.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1810-1820
maker
Hall, Sylvia
ID Number
TE.T16942
catalog number
T16942
accession number
310734
Two block alphabets of 26 letters. One script alphabet with no "J," and "O" instead of "Z"; numbers to 19. Alphabets and numbers colored in pairs or groups with all these rows separated by simple geometric crossbands.
Description
Two block alphabets of 26 letters. One script alphabet with no "J," and "O" instead of "Z"; numbers to 19. Alphabets and numbers colored in pairs or groups with all these rows separated by simple geometric crossbands. In lower half of sampler, flower basket on rectangular base, flanked by two eight-sided lozenges decorated with swags and tassels containing inscription and date. Border of geometric flowering vine on all four sides. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: cross, crosslet, outline, stem, chain, satin. THREAD COUNT: warp 22, weft 25/in.
Inscriptions:
"Annzalette
Hussey
aged 9
In the year of
our Lord
1821"
Background:
Anzolette was born on April 7, 1812, to Captain Andrew (1783–1861) and Mary Tredick Hussey in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She married Ebenezer Knight on June 15, 1835, and they had five daughters—Mary, Ariadne, Hannah E., Sarah K., and Abby. Anzolette died on November 20, 1895, in Washington, D.C., but is buried in Portsmouth. In 1827, at the age of fourteen, she was a student in the First Female School of Portsmouth. On this sampler she spelled her name Annzalette, and throughout her life she used the two different spellings for her first name. This sampler is very different from her other one and was probably worked at a different school. See Anzolette Hussey for her other sampler.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1821
maker
Hussey, Anzolette
ID Number
TE.H33961
catalog number
H33961
accession number
63786
Three block alphabets of 26 letters and numbers to 13; simple geometric crossbands separate these rows. Below verse, centered tree flanked by rose bushes and two framed texts.
Description
Three block alphabets of 26 letters and numbers to 13; simple geometric crossbands separate these rows. Below verse, centered tree flanked by rose bushes and two framed texts. In verse, words colored alternately with name and date worked in black; in two framed texts, all lettering worked in black. Width of sampler full fabric width, selvedge to selvedge. Border of geometric strawberry-vine and cross-stitched zig-zag, with single rows of cross-stitch on all four sides. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: cross, Algerian eye, long-armed cross, petit point, rice. THREAD COUNT: warp 28, weft 30/in.
Inscriptions:
"Let the f[s]weet work of prayer and praif[s]e employ my
Youngef[s]t breath Thuf[s] im prepared for longer dayf[s] or
Fit for earlier death Phebe Ef[s]ther Copp aged 8 1822
Better it is to be
of an humble Spirit
with the lowly
than to divide the
Spoil with the proud
This work I did
To let you See
What care my
Parents took of me"
Background:
Phebe Esther was born on November 9, 1813, to Samuel and Phoebe Haight Theall Copp in Stonington, Connecticut. The design of this sampler, made in 1822, when Phebe Esther was eight years old, is obviously based on a similar sampler made fifty-seven years earlier by her great-aunt Esther Copp. Phebe never married and died on February 3, 1837, in New York City. See Esther Copp's sampler.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1822
maker
Copp, Phebe Esther
ID Number
TE.H06591
catalog number
H06591
accession number
28810
Five block alphabets; one script alphabet; numbers to 15. All alphabets colored in pairs or groups. Six narrow geometric crossbands. Verse in lower register flanked by two-story house and tree.
Description
Five block alphabets; one script alphabet; numbers to 15. All alphabets colored in pairs or groups. Six narrow geometric crossbands. Verse in lower register flanked by two-story house and tree. Red cotton thread used only for "s" in "Lindleys" and for three small geometric motifs at bottom of sampler. Border of geometric zig-zag on all four sides. Silk and cotton embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: cross, Algerian eye. THREAD COUNT: warp 39, weft 42/in.
Inscriptions:
"Nancy Mary Lindleys work done at the age of 8 years
Let virtue be my greatest care
And study my delight
So shall my day be always fair
And peaceable my night,"
Background:
Nothing is known about the life of Nancy Mary Lindley.
Location
Currently on loan
Date made
1800-1825
maker
Lindley, Nancy Mary
ID Number
TE.T14662
catalog number
T14662
T.14662
accession number
279148
This sampler features six block alphabets: five of 26 letters and one double. All the rows are separated by simple geometric crossbands.
Description
This sampler features six block alphabets: five of 26 letters and one double. All the rows are separated by simple geometric crossbands. Mary Stabler’s sampler is an example of a marking sampler that consisted predominately of alphabets and numbers, and was usually the first sampler a young lady stitched. Alphabets were used to mark linens for identification. Mary included the inscription:

“Mary P Stabler’s
Work
Aged 11 Alexandria”
The sampler is stitched with silk and cotton embroidery thread on a linen ground with a thread count of warp 28, weft 29/in. The stitches used are: cross, crosslet, four-sided, double cross, rice, Algerian eye, queen, and herringbone.
Mary Pleasants Stabler was born on January 30, 1809, to Edward and Mary Hartshorne Stabler in Alexandria, Virginia. In 1835 she married John Leadbeater and they had eight children - Edward S., Lucy, Mary G., Alice, Anna, Alice, William, and Thomas. Mary died on August 9, 1863. See her daughter Anna Leadbeater’s samplers.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1819-1821
maker
Stabler, Mary P.
ID Number
TE.T12610
catalog number
T12610
accession number
235642
This sampler features two script alphabets to “X,” and there are also two block alphabets: one with 26 letters and one to “W” with “NOPQ” not worked but a space left for them.
Description
This sampler features two script alphabets to “X,” and there are also two block alphabets: one with 26 letters and one to “W” with “NOPQ” not worked but a space left for them. At the bottom of the sampler, is a two-story house (in perspective) with a tall pointed tree and a spreading tree behind an ornamental fence, which has reverse-curved sections between fence-posts topped by urns. The house on Diana Austin’s sampler could be her home or the home of her teacher. She showed advanced technique by using surface stitches for her trees and not cross stitch. Diana included the inscription:

“Diana Austins Sampler
Marked AD 1827 Aged 8
PENFIELD NY”
The sampler is stitched with silk embroidery thread on a linen ground with a thread count of warp 39, weft 46/ in. The stitches used are cross, detached chain, four-sided, Algerian eye, buttonhole, outline, and satin.
Jotham Austin from Vermont, married Hannah Case. At some point they moved to Penfield, New York, where Jotham died in March 1830 and Hannah died on May 11, 1830. They had eight children. Two of them made samplers, Diana (b. May 9, 1819) and Sabrina P. (b. March 13, 1824). Libbeus Ross, who was married to Hannah’s daughter Honoria Austin, was appointed guardian of the family according to Hannah’s will, dated March 15, 1830.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1827
maker
Austin, Diana
ID Number
TE.T14276
catalog number
T14276
accession number
276184
There is a wide floral crossband at the center of the sampler, worked with crinkled silk thread in long, couched stitches.
Description
There is a wide floral crossband at the center of the sampler, worked with crinkled silk thread in long, couched stitches. At the bottom of the sampler are three large and two small floral motifs, and among them these initials: “WB SB CB JB.” All four edges are finished with wide green silk ribbon. Mary Bishop included an inscription and the names Joseph Bishop, Mary Bishop, and Sarah Bishop.
Inscription: "In the sightless are I dwell / On the sloping sunbeams pley / Delve the cavern’s inmost cell / Where never yet did daylight stray / Joseph Bishop / Mary Bishop / Sarah Bishop."
Mary’s inscription is from a poem entitled “Song of a Spirit” by Ann Ward Radcliffe (1764-1823). Mrs. Radcliffe was a popular English writer in her day and this poem is from her 1791 historical Gothic romance novel The Romance of the Forest. The sampler is stitched with silk embroidery thread on a linen ground with a thread count of warp 28, weft 30/in. The stitches used are cross, satin, eyelet, rice, stem, outline, and crosslet.
Despite including the names of possibly her mother and father, nothing could be found about the life of Mary Bishop.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1800-1825
maker
Bishop, Mary
ID Number
TE.T15008
catalog number
T15008
accession number
286272
The name “Betsy Bruce” appears at end of one alphabet. Below the alphabets is the inscription:"Seize Mortals seize the present hour Lifes a short summerMan’s a flower he dies alas how soon he dies. E. B.
Description
The name “Betsy Bruce” appears at end of one alphabet. Below the alphabets is the inscription:
"Seize Mortals seize the present hour Lifes a short summer
Man’s a flower he dies alas how soon he dies. E. B. 14 Y.”
The “E.B.” may stand for her sister Eveline Bruce who died July 21, 1817.
Betsy Bruce’s inscription is an adaptation of an Ode for Winter by English poet Samuel Johnson (1709-1784). The sampler is stitched with silk and cotton embroidery thread on a linen ground with a thread count of warp 22, weft 22/ in. The stitches used are cross, Algerian eye, and crosslet
Betsy Bruce was born on September 2, 1809, in Marlborough, Vermont to Rev. Mansfield and Grace Goddard Bruce. She married Origen Smith (1810-1884) on May 11, 1837. They had two children - Irenaeus OP born on February 5, 1841, and Elizabeth, born c.1845. Betsy died on October 4, 1882.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1822-1824
maker
Bruce, Betsy
ID Number
TE.T7729A
catalog number
T7729A
accession number
139053

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