Sarah Kurtz's Sampler

Sarah Kurtz's Sampler

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Description
Three block alphabets; one script alphabet. Two alphabets have letters colored alternately with no "J"; numbers to 4, to 15, and to 21; all these rows separated by geometric crossbands. Surrounding verse and inscription paired motifs of trees, crowns, flower-baskets, birds, and bird in wreath; two checkered flower-baskets with handles but no flowers. Border of geometric strawberry vine on all four sides. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: cross, crosslet, stem, chain, eyelet, Algerian eye. THREAD COUNT: warp 28, weft 32/in.
Inscription:
"When wealth to virtuous hands is giv[e]n
It blef[s]ses like the dews of heavn
Like heaven it hears the orphans cries
And wipes the tears from widows eyes
Sarah Kurtz." (written in ink after the inscription is: "Worked 1804 age 9")
Background:
Sarah was born January 20, 1795, to Christian (1751 - 1808) and Maria Gardner (1756 -1822) in Georgetown, DC. She and Thomas Orme were married by Rev. Balch in Georgetown, D.C., on June 2, 1816. They had three daughters—Rebecca, Elizabeth, and Anna. Sarah died on December 23, 1864, in Washington and is buried there in Oak Hill Cemetery. Anna's daughter Mary donated her grandmother's and aunt's samplers. See Elizabeth Orme's sampler.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
sampler
Date made
1804
maker
Kurtz, Sarah
place made
United States: District of Columbia, Georgetown
Physical Description
linen (ground fabric material)
silk (embroidery thread material)
Measurements
overall: 21 1/8 in x 17 1/8 in; 53.6575 cm x 43.4975 cm
ID Number
TE.T07318
catalog number
T07318
accession number
124663
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Mary E. Lyddane
subject
Alphabets
See more items in
Home and Community Life: Textiles
Samplers
Textiles
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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