Margaret Bedell's Sampler

Margaret Bedell's Sampler

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Description
Alphabets, numbers, and a family record are featured on this sampler by Margaret Bedell. The sampler is stitched with silk embroidery thread on a linen ground with a thread count for the top piece warp 34, weft 38/ in and the bottom piece warp 40, weft 40/ in. The stitches used are cross, Algerian eye, and eyelet. Margaret included the inscription: "Margaret BeDeLL WaS / born the 1 DaY OF FeBrUa / ry 1763 / GILbert FOWLer WaS / BOrn OCtOber the 20 DaY / 1762 Margaret BeDell / WaS Born FeBrUarY / the 1 DaY 1763 We WaS / MarrIed OCtOber the 9 1791 / BeNJaMIN FOWler WaS / BOrN AUgUSt the 3 DAY / 1792 aNd he DeParted / thIS LIFe FebUarY / the 16 DaY 1795 / ELIZabeth FOWLer aNd / CatherINe FOWLer WaS / BOrn DeCeMber the 14 / DaY 1796 Phebe FOW/ ler WaS BOrN JULY / the 18 DaY 1799." Apparently Margaret began this sampler when she was a child and then used it to record her marriage and the birth and death of a son. Next a new piece of cloth was added to record the births of three daughters. Margaret Bedell married Gilbert Fowler on October 9, 1791.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
Embroidery, Sampler
sampler
Date made
c. 1773 - c.1800
maker
Bedell, Margaret
Physical Description
linen (ground fabric material)
silk (embroidery thread material)
Measurements
overall: 18 1/2 in x 8 1/4 in; 46.99 cm x 20.955 cm
ID Number
TE.E391810
catalog number
E391810.000
accession number
71679
Credit Line
Gift of Gertrude D. Webster
See more items in
Home and Community Life: Textiles
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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