Textiles

Coverlet

The 50,000 objects in the textile collections fall into two main categories: raw fibers, yarns, and fabrics, and machines, tools, and other textile technology. Shawls, coverlets, samplers, laces, linens, synthetics, and other fabrics are part of the first group, along with the 400 quilts in the National Quilt Collection. Some of the Museum's most popular artifacts, such as the Star-Spangled Banner and the gowns of the first ladies, have an obvious textile connection.

The machinery and tools include spinning wheels, sewing machines, thimbles, needlework tools, looms, and an invention that changed the course of American agriculture and society. A model of Eli Whitney's cotton gin, made by the inventor in the early 1800s, shows the workings of a machine that helped make cotton plantations profitable in the South and encouraged the spread of slavery.

Topic: Alphabets

M. Mary Cook's Sampler

Three block alphabets of 26 letters. Numbers to 9. Word "Marcellus" appears at end of one alphabet. Sampler worked in black silk with brown cotton used only for small period at ends of rows.
Description
Three block alphabets of 26 letters. Numbers to 9. Word "Marcellus" appears at end of one alphabet. Sampler worked in black silk with brown cotton used only for small period at ends of rows. Border of single row of long-armed cross at top, single row of herringbone on each side, single row of double cross at bottom. Silk thread on cotton ground. STITCHES: cross, long-armed cross, herringbone, eyelet, four-sided, crosslet, double cross. THREAD COUNT: warp 26, weft 26/in.
Inscriptions:
"With ink and pen.
These marks will give.
The lives of men.
To all that live.
Worked by M Cook.
August 1818."
Background:
Mary was born on February 22, 1806, to Daniel and Rebecca Pomeroy Cook in Skaneateles, New York. Daniel served in the Revolutionary War for three months at Saratoga in 1781, and died on August 3, 1806, in Marcellus, New York. Mary stitched her sampler while her family was living in Marcellus. She did not marry, and died on January 30, 1869. She is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester, New York. The sampler descended in the family of her brother, Ira.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1818
maker
Cook, Mary
ID Number
TE.T13201
catalog number
T13201
accession number
250307

Elizabeth Holland's Sampler

Three block alphabets; no "J" or "U." All alphabet letters and words in inscription done in alternating colors; geometric crossbands (some of them geometric flowering vines) separate all rows. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground.
Description
Three block alphabets; no "J" or "U." All alphabet letters and words in inscription done in alternating colors; geometric crossbands (some of them geometric flowering vines) separate all rows. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: cross, two-sided cross, marking cross, satin, straight, fern, Algerian eye, herringbone, long-armed cross. THREAD COUNT: warp 38, weft 39/in.
Inscription:
"ELISABeTH HOLLAND IS MY NA
Me ENGLISH IS MY NATION BOST
ON IS MY DWeLLING PLACe
AND CHRIST IS MY SALVATION
WHeN I AM DeAD AND GONE
AND ALL MY BONeS ARE ROTeN
I LeAVe THIS SAMPLeR BeHIND
I MAY NOT Be FORGOTTeN FINIS
HeD IN THe 13 YeAR OF HeR
AGe OCTOBeR 14 1737"
Background:
Elizabeth was born on June 28, 1725, to Samuel and Elizabeth Holland in Boston, Massachusetts. She married Edward Gyles in Boston on her birthday, June 28, 1743. They had two sons, Edward and Samuel.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1737
maker
Holland, Elizabeth
ID Number
TE.T18126
catalog number
T18126
accession number
323477

Phoebe E. Downing's Sampler

Three block alphabets of 26 letters and numbers to 0. Five scattered eyelet stitches and short row of tent and reverse tent. Initials "ID," "ED," MSD," "PED," "RID," and "SWD." Border of simple geometric band on top and two sides. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground.
Description
Three block alphabets of 26 letters and numbers to 0. Five scattered eyelet stitches and short row of tent and reverse tent. Initials "ID," "ED," MSD," "PED," "RID," and "SWD." Border of simple geometric band on top and two sides. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: cross, rice, eyelet, crosslet, tent. THREAD COUNT: warp 23, weft 28/in.
Inscription:
"Phebe E 18 16 Downing"
Background:
Phoebe was born on December 23, 1807, to Joseph and Elizabeth Webster Downing in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Since the letters "I" and "J" were interchangeable, the initials "ID" were for her father, "ED" for her mother, "MSD" for her sister Mary S., "PED" for Phoebe, "RID" for brother Richard J., and "SWD" for sister Sarah W. An older brother Wesley R. died before the sampler was made, and another sister Thomazine was born after the sampler was made. Phoebe did not marry and died on August 20, 1849.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1816
maker
Downing, Phoebe E.
ID Number
TE.T17754
catalog number
T17754
accession number
316364

Sarah Yard's Sampler

One block alphabet of 26 letters; numbers to 10. Alphabet and numbers colored in groups of two or three. Each word in inscription and each set of initials worked in different color. Flower basket, bird, eight-pointed star, and several flowering plants.
Description
One block alphabet of 26 letters; numbers to 10. Alphabet and numbers colored in groups of two or three. Each word in inscription and each set of initials worked in different color. Flower basket, bird, eight-pointed star, and several flowering plants. Border of simple geometric vine-and-leaf on top and two sides. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: cross. THREAD COUNT: warp 24, weft 29/in.
Inscription:
"SARAH YARD IN H
ER SEVENTH YEAR
Y SM MAY
J S MAY GMY JY"
Background:
Sarah was born in 1809 to John and Sarah McKimson Yard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She married Alexander Cummings in 1836, and they had six children—Mary B., Alfred, Sarah Ellen, Charles Thomas, Alexander M., and John. Alexander was a general in the Union Army during the Civil War, and then governor of the Colorado Territory from 1865 to 1867. He died in Canada, but was buried in Philadelphia. Sarah died in Washington, D.C., on August 28, 1887, and is also buried in Philadelphia. The initials on her sampler may be family members, father, mother, grandfather, grandmother Mary Ann Yard, sister Mary Ann Yard, brother George Mickerson Yard, and brother John Yard.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1815-1816
maker
Yard, Sarah
ID Number
TE.H14388
catalog number
H14388
accession number
55589

Sarah Prince Fenn's Sampler

Two block alphabets, no "J," with "V" and "U" reversed. Numbers to 10. Alphabets and numbers colored in groups. These rows separated by simple geometric crossbands. Crown and several simple geometric motifs fill out alphabet lines.
Description
Two block alphabets, no "J," with "V" and "U" reversed. Numbers to 10. Alphabets and numbers colored in groups. These rows separated by simple geometric crossbands. Crown and several simple geometric motifs fill out alphabet lines. At base of sampler, rose, tulip, strawberry plants, and tree climbing one edge. Brown guidelines under tree and flowers. Border of single row of marking cross on all four sides. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: two-sided cross, marking cross, satin, Algerian eye, stem, outline, queen, straight, tent, crosslet, herringbone, chain, hem. THREAD COUNT: warp 26, weft 31/in.
Inscription:
"Sarah Prince Fenn Aged
12 Year 7 months
1775"
Background:
Sarah was born on February 21, 1763, to Benjamin and Mary Peck Fenn in Milford, Connecticut. She married Theophilus Miles, and they had three children—Mary, Samuel, and Sarah Fenn. Mrs. Miles died in Milford on May 15, 1790, about five months after the birth of their daughter Sarah Fenn Miles. Theophilus married Martha Clark on September 15, 1791.
Date made
1775
maker
Fenn, Sarah Prince
ID Number
TE.T16945
catalog number
T16945
accession number
311079

Ruth Lemmon's Sampler

Two block alphabets; letters colored alternately; no "J" or "U." Numbers to 9. All rows (including verse) separated by wide and narrow crossbands, many satin-stitched sawtooth bands.
Description
Two block alphabets; letters colored alternately; no "J" or "U." Numbers to 9. All rows (including verse) separated by wide and narrow crossbands, many satin-stitched sawtooth bands. At base of sampler, spies returning from Canaan (Caleb and Joshua), wearing flared coats, wide hats, and kneebreeches, and carrying bunch of grapes on pole; letters "C" and "I" identify them, and over their heads further notation "NVMBERS C 13 V 23"; flanked by tulip plants in baskets and small trees. Border of geometric vine-and-flower on top and two sides. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: cross, satin, fern, eyelet, outline, stem, straight. THREAD COUNT: warp 50, weft 50/in.
Inscriptions:
"MY GOD I NEVER LONG'D TO SEE MY FATE WI
TH CVRIOVS EYES WHAT GLOOMY LINES AR
E WRIT FOR ME OR WHAT BRIGHT SCENES
SHALL RISE IN THY FAIR BOOK OF LIFE & GRA
CE MAY I BVT FIND MY NAME RECORDED IN SOM
E HVMBLE PLACE BENEATH MY LORD THE L
AMB
RVTH LEMMON HER SAMPLER WORKED IN
THE 13 YEAR OF HER AGE 1760"
Background:
Ruth was born on December 27, 1747, to Joseph and Hannah Lemmon in Marblehead, Massachusetts. She married John D. Prentice on January 11, 1770, in Marblehead, and they had one daughter, Ruth, born in 1770. Later they moved to Londonderry, New Hampshire, where her husband was a lawyer and New Hampshire Attorney General from 1787 to 1793. Mrs. Prentice died in 1791 in New Hampshire, and John married Tabitha Sargent in 1793.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1760
maker
Lemmon, Ruth
ID Number
TE.T14112
catalog number
T14112
accession number
272420

Alcinda C. Timberlake's Sampler

Three block alphabets of 26 letters. One script alphabet with no "J." Numbers to 12 and to 6. All these rows separated by simple geometric crossbands. One wide crossband, grapevine, worked in free embroidery, with brown guidelines under stitches.
Description
Three block alphabets of 26 letters. One script alphabet with no "J." Numbers to 12 and to 6. All these rows separated by simple geometric crossbands. One wide crossband, grapevine, worked in free embroidery, with brown guidelines under stitches. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: cross, long-armed cross, rice, Algerian eye, queen, outline, stem, satin, gobelin. THREAD COUNT: warp 25, weft 26/in.
Inscriptions:
"Do as you would be done by
Alcinda C: Timberlake, Char
-lestown Virginia 1817."
Background:
Alcinda Timberlake was born about 1803 and married Harfield Timberlake, Jr. on June 18, 1822, in Charlestown, Virginia. Their son Henry Carter Timberlake, born in 1835, taught at Mississippi College. He married Alice Jordan and they named one of their girls Alcinda after his mother. This granddaughter donated her grandmother's sampler. West Virginia became a state in 1863, and Charlestown is now part of West Virginia.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1817
maker
Timberlake, Alcinda C.
ID Number
TE.T13497
catalog number
T13497
accession number
254795

Lydia Ann Garton's Sampler

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

Sylvia Hall's Sampler

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

Elizabeth Shermer's Sampler

One lower-case alphabet; six block alphabets; 26 letters. Numbers 1 through 17. Three practice eyelets, one worked in red cotton, two worked in red wool. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: cross, tent, four-sided, eyelet, upright cross.
Description
One lower-case alphabet; six block alphabets; 26 letters. Numbers 1 through 17. Three practice eyelets, one worked in red cotton, two worked in red wool. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: cross, tent, four-sided, eyelet, upright cross. THREAD COUNT: warp 26, weft 39/in.
Inscription:
"Elizabeth Shermer's
work done in the
eleventh year of her
age
1833"
Background:
This may be the Elizabeth Shermer who was born to Anthony and Anna Barbara Diehl Shermer of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The sixth alphabet on her sampler is very unusual and has been found on other Pennsylvania samplers.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1833
maker
Shermer, Elizabeth
ID Number
1985.0856.01
accession number
1985.0856
catalog number
1985.0856.01

Ann Louisa Ghequiere's Sampler

Five block alphabets of 26 letters, numbers to 14. Each row of alphabets and numbers different color. All these rows separated by narrow geometric crossbands. Border of geometric strawberry vine and single row of herringbone stitch on all four sides.
Description
Five block alphabets of 26 letters, numbers to 14. Each row of alphabets and numbers different color. All these rows separated by narrow geometric crossbands. Border of geometric strawberry vine and single row of herringbone stitch on all four sides. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: cross, crosslet, long-armed cross, satin, herringbone, eyelet, four-sided, rice, queen, hem. THREAD COUNT: warp 28, weft 28/in.
Inscriptions:
"EDUCATION
Youth like f[s]oftened Wax, with Eaf[s]e will take
Thof[s]e Images that firf[s]t impref[s]sions make.
If thof[s]e are fair, their Actions will be bright,
If foul, they'll clouded be with Shades of Night.
Ann Louisa Ghequiere [f]inished in her 9th year."
Background:
Ann Louisa was born about 1792 to Charles and Harriet Halley Ghequiere in Baltimore, Maryland. She married Dr. Martin Fenwick of West River, Maryland, on August 21, 1815, at St. Peter Pro-Cathedral in Baltimore, Maryland. The marriage was performed by Archbishop John Carroll, with whom her father had been friendly for many years. They had four children—;Harriet, Louisa Claire, Chloe, and Henry. Ann Louisa died on February 22, 1864 in West River.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1799
Associated Name
Ghequiere, Ann Louisa
maker
Chequiere, Ann Louisa
ID Number
TE.T14210
catalog number
T14210
accession number
59228

Susan H. Salter's Sampler

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

Phebe Esther Copp's Sampler

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

Amanda Hinds' Sampler

One script alphabet; no "J," "O," "T," or "U." Two block alphabets, one of 26 letters; these rows separated by simple crossbands. All lettering on sampler black. Below inscription, tulip, paired flower baskets, and trees.
Description
One script alphabet; no "J," "O," "T," or "U." Two block alphabets, one of 26 letters; these rows separated by simple crossbands. All lettering on sampler black. Below inscription, tulip, paired flower baskets, and trees. Center square outlined by sawtooth band, as outer edge of border. Border of wide geometric flowering vine with pair of small geometric motifs in upper corners and pair of flower baskets in lower corners. All four edges hemstitched. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: satin, cross, eyelet, queen, long-armed cross, hem. THREAD COUNT: warp 30, weft 27/in.
Inscription:
"Amanda Hindf[s]
1818"
Background:
Amanda may have been the daughter of Abraham Hinds or the daughter of David and Hannah Tucker Hinds.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1818
maker
Hinds, Amanda
ID Number
TE.T14663
catalog number
T14663
accession number
279148

Rachel Kester's Sampler

Block alphabet no "J." Each letter worked in different color. Letters in row, initials for family members "HKAKR / PKAKMKSKBKAKBWW," "R" that should go with last "W" out of order. Each pair of letters worked in different color, six sets being worked in black.
Description
Block alphabet no "J." Each letter worked in different color. Letters in row, initials for family members "HKAKR / PKAKMKSKBKAKBWW," "R" that should go with last "W" out of order. Each pair of letters worked in different color, six sets being worked in black. These rows separated by simple crossbands. In center section, flanking one of verses, two large flowers, and initials "SK," "SK," "SK," "IK," "IW," and "RW" split with one on each side of flower. Below verse, wide crossband with flowers and strawberries. Another wide crossband at bottom of sampler, with two large flowers and urn of flowers. Border of geometric vine with strawberries and carnations on all four sides. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: cross, satin, tent, eyelet, stem. THREAD COUNT: warp 28, weft 30/in.
Inscriptions:
"Love the Lord
And he will be
A tender father
Unto the
The lof[s]s of treaf[s]uref[s] much
The lof[s]s of truth is more
The lof[s]s of Chrif[s]t if[s] f[s]uch
Af[s] no one can ref[s]tore
The lot of f[s]aintf[s] have alway been
Affliction here and f[s]cornf[s]
And he that was the bef[s]t of men
Waf[s] mock and crown with thornf[s]
Rachel Kester her samPler
made in the 14th year of her age
1788 H T"
Background:
Rachel was born on June 16, 1774, to Paul and Anna Webster Kester in Kingwood, New Jersey. The family moved to Millville, Pennsylvania, in 1780. There Rachel married Chandlee Eves on January 5, 1797, and they had ten children—Anna, Elizabeth, Yeatman, John K., George Fox, Benjamin, Charles, Sarah, Rachel, and Chandlee. Rachel died in Pennsylvania on May 22, 1835, and her husband died on December 30, 1836. The initials "HT" following the date in the inscription could be those of a teacher.
The first set of initials are her grandparents Heranus and Anne Kester; her parents Paul and Anna Kester; her siblings Mary, Sarah, Benjamin, and Arnold Kester; and her grandparents Benjamin and Rachel Webster. It is not clear to whom the other initials belong.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1788
maker
Kester, Rachel
ID Number
TE.T16007
catalog number
T16007
accession number
307850

Esther Copp's Sampler

Three block alphabets; two alphabets colored in pairs, one all black; no "J"; numbers 1 through 0. Simple geometric crossbands framed by flowering vine and rose bushes. At base of sampler, centered tree flanked by two framed inscriptions, with tulips and strawberries.
Description
Three block alphabets; two alphabets colored in pairs, one all black; no "J"; numbers 1 through 0. Simple geometric crossbands framed by flowering vine and rose bushes. At base of sampler, centered tree flanked by two framed inscriptions, with tulips and strawberries. Single row of cross stitch forms border on all four sides. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: cross, petit point, Algerian eye, rice, queen. THREAD COUNT: warp 34, weft 38/in.
Inscriptions:
"Better it is to be
of an humble Spi
rit with the low
ly than to divide
the Spoil with
the proud"
"Esther Copp her
Sampler made in
the eleventh
year of her age
august AD 1765"
Background:
Jonathan Copp was born on June 12, 1694, and married Mrs. Sarah (Dennis) Hobart as his second wife on June 30, 1742, in Stonington, Connecticut. Their daughter Esther was born on October 23, 1754, in New London, Connecticut, and she never married. She died September 21, 1829. (See sampler by Phebe Esther Copp, her grandniece. A tree, rose bush, and one text are the same on both samplers.) Esther's sampler is part of 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 collection was donated to the United State National Museum in the 1890s by John Brenton Copp, offering the nation the opportunity to preserve and study the everyday possessions of a New England family.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1765
maker
Copp, Esther
ID Number
TE.H06590
catalog number
H06590
accession number
28810

Anzolette Hussey's Sampler

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

Sarah Bailiff's Sampler

Four block alphabets of 26 letters. One script alphabet to "P"; no "J." Numbers to 4. Each row worked in one color, and all rows separated by simple geometric crossbands. Two strawberry plants to right of verse. No border. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground.
Description
Four block alphabets of 26 letters. One script alphabet to "P"; no "J." Numbers to 4. Each row worked in one color, and all rows separated by simple geometric crossbands. Two strawberry plants to right of verse. No border. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: cross, Algerian eye, four-sided, upright gobelin, satin, stem, hem. THREAD COUNT: warp 26, weft 28/in.
Inscriptions:
"Now mark the Sequel May Your mind
In wiSdomS waYS true PleaSure find
Grow StronG in virtu rich in truth
And Year bY Year renew itS youth
Till in the late triumphant hoUr
The SPirit Shall the fleSh overPoWer
ThiS from itS SUfferinGS Gain releaSe
And that taKe WinG and Part in PeaCe
Sarah BaILIff'S SamPler done Nov 27 1839"
Background:
Sarah Bailiff gave her sampler to a member of Justice Alfred Moore's family at Moorefields, North Carolina, their summer home. It descended in that family until it was given to the Smithsonian. Sarah Bailiff's date of birth has not yet been identified.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1839
maker
Bailiff, Sarah
ID Number
TE.T12722
catalog number
T12722
accession number
238996

Maria Minton's Sampler

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

Adaline Ann Williams's Sampler

Block upper-case alphabet all one color. Block lower-case alphabet all one color. Script alphabet all one color, no "J." Numbers 1 through 9. Rows separated by simple geometric crossbands.
Description
Block upper-case alphabet all one color. Block lower-case alphabet all one color. Script alphabet all one color, no "J." Numbers 1 through 9. Rows separated by simple geometric crossbands. At bottom of sampler, three strawberry plants with brown and white seed stitches decorating strawberries. In lower right corner, floral swag with cords and tassels above patterned basket of flowers. Simple geometric border on all four sides. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: cross, crosslet, seed. THREAD COUNT: warp 25, weft 24/in.
Inscriptions:
"Adaline Ann Williams Aged 12 Years Done
In The 35th Year Of The Independence Of The
United States Of America July 24th AD 1810.
Bef[s]et with snares on every hand
In lifes uncertain path I stand
Saviour divine diffuse thy light
To guide my doubtful footsteps right
Engage this roving treach'rous heart
Great God to chuse the better part
To scorn the trifles of a day
For joys that none can take away"
Background:
This is probably the Adaline Ann who was born on July 16, 1798, in Hartford, Connecticut, to John and Sarah Powers Williams. She married John Bois Turner on September 25, 1855.
Date made
1810
maker
Williams, Adaline Ann
ID Number
1988.0831.02
accession number
1988.0831
catalog number
1988.0831.02

Margaret C. Simmons's Sampler

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

Annzalette Hussey's Sampler

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

Molley Russell's Sampler

Block upper-case alphabet; letters colored alternately; no "J" or "U." Numbers 1 to 0. These rows, together with rows containing verse, all separated by narrow crossbands, including sawtooth and dentil patterns.
Description
Block upper-case alphabet; letters colored alternately; no "J" or "U." Numbers 1 to 0. These rows, together with rows containing verse, all separated by narrow crossbands, including sawtooth and dentil patterns. Below verse, three wide crossbands: one of flowering plants, birds, and sheep or goats, and two wide geometric bands in patterns that appear often on eastern Massachusetts samplers, especially in Boston area. At bottom of sampler spies, from Canaan, wearing knee-breeches and flared coats, identified by letters "Ja" and "Ca" and flanked by trees, flowering plants, and small birds. Below them, 1 5/8" strip with geometric strawberry vine solidly worked in cross-stitch. Border of geometric flowering vine on top and two sides. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: cross, satin, Algerian eye. THREAD COUNT: warp 38, weft 42/in.
Inscriptions:
"When Stern Affliction Waves her Rod
My heart Confids in the my God
When Nature Shrinks Oppresd with woes
E en then in thee She finds Repose
Affliction flyes and hope returns
Her Lamp with brighter Splendor burns
Gay Love with all his Chearful Train
And Joy And peace are here again
Molley Ruff[ss]ell
Ad 12 1776"
Background:
Mary (Molly) was born on June 19, 1765, to Peter and Molly Russell of Bradford, Massachusetts. Her father was a distinguished shipbuilder. She married Ephraim Emery on September 17, 1785. He enlisted as a fifer on April 19, 1775, at the Lexington alarm, and entered the service in William Rogers's Company on April 27, 1775. Ephraim was in the assault on Stony Point and the battle of White Plains. After the war, in 1799, he was appointed captain in the United States Army, 14th Regiment, which was disbanded in 1800. He served successively as captain, brigade major, and inspector in the state militia. The couple had four children—Mary, John, Thomas, and Hannah.
Mary died on March 3, 1843, in Newbury, Massachusetts.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1776
associated dates
1963-11-28
maker
Russell, Molley
ID Number
TE.T20239A
accession number
246268
catalog number
T20239.A

Esther Tincom's Sampler

Three block alphabets. One script alphabet; no "J"; "V" and "U" reversed. Numbers to 9; all rows of alphabets, inscription, and verse separated by simple geometric crossbands. Two wider crossbands of birds, trees, plants, strawberries, flowers.
Description
Three block alphabets. One script alphabet; no "J"; "V" and "U" reversed. Numbers to 9; all rows of alphabets, inscription, and verse separated by simple geometric crossbands. Two wider crossbands of birds, trees, plants, strawberries, flowers. Above alphabets, angular arcade with three angels (?). Lower third of sampler contains landscape with hillocks and strawberries, running stag and two dogs, shepherdess and sheep, three flowering trees, parrot and hummingbird. Border of free-style flowering vine across top and down both sides, with single row of marking cross along each side of border. Brown guidelines under free embroidery in landscape and border. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: cross, marking cross, satin, French knot, tent, long-armed cross, outline, stem, chain, Roumanian, bullion. THREAD COUNT: warp 35, weft 38/in.
Inscription:
"ESTHer Tincom IS MY Name and England IS MY Nation
Boston IS MY dwelling Place and Christ IS MY Salvation
When I am dead and in my grave and all my bones are rotten
When This You f[s]ee remember Me That I Mant be for 12
[gotten Do]ne in the 10 Year of MY age 3456789"
Background:
Information from the donor included the following: "brought from Boston, around the Horn in 1850 and William Patch saved the sampler from the San Francisco fire."
Date made
1764-1774
maker
Tincom, Esther
ID Number
TE.T11099
catalog number
T11099
accession number
200253

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