19th Century Samplers

Pocket sampler. Circa 1800

A diminutive orphanage pocket sampler worked in coloured silks on a fine linen ground.This example retains very good original colour and remains in fine condition. Initialled L R this example dates from circa 1800.

Elizabeth Carver 1843

Finely worked plain sewn sampler worked by Elizabeth Carver at Hardley in Norfolk aged 10 years old in 1843. Clearly the young Elizabeth was receiving some instruction of the classics in her education. Elizabeth came from a farming family and it is likely she was educated at the local school. Genealogical information available. Provenance ex collection of Vivian Crellin.

Ann Hiley. Age 13. 1833

Samplers embroidered in both English and Welsh are rare. During the 19th century the Welsh language was actively discouraged in schools and given no support or recognition. Genealogical research shows that Ann came from Monmouthshire, Wales, and brings to light much family history which is available and published in 'Historic Samplers. What's in A Name? People and Places'.(Pub. Witney Antiques).

Licensed Victuallers' School. London 1856.

A rare neatly embroidered sampler probably embroidered as a presentation piece on the occasion of the annual election of children to the school which was founded in 1803 for the children of deceased or impoverished publicans.

Elizabeth Squire, York School. 1801.

Elizabeth embroidered her detailed Map of England and Wales in 1801 whilst a pupil at the Quaker School in Trinity Lane, York. This school opened in 1785 and later was known as York School and finally to this day as The Mount School. The Mount School have in their archives similar finely worked map and darning samplers. Templates for this map were commercially available and another example by Mary Peacock 1802 and clearly worked from the same template, is illustrated in 'Quaker School Girl Samplers from Ackworth', Page 62, Carol Humphrey. Contained in a finely reeded ebonised period frame.

Scottish Commemorative sampler 1832

Rare Scottish Commemorative sampler, dated 1832. Worked in green and black silk this sampler commemorates the achievements of Captain MCW Aytoun who is credited with bringing a fresh and abundant water supply to Auchterader in the 1820's. The sampler was likely made to be presented to Captain Aytoun in July 1832 when a dinner was held in his honour at the newly named Aytoun Hall. Conservation Mounted and framed.

1830

Small anonymous sampler dating from circa 1830. Worked in coloured silks on a fine linen ground. This sweet sampler is typical of those produced at orphanage and charity schools during the first half of the nineteenth century. Fully conservation mounted and framed. In fine condition.

Jane Hearn 19th century

Attractive and finely worked nineteenth century house sampler by Jane Hearn aged 12 years. Worked in coloured silks on a fine wool ground this sampler retains exceptional original condition and colour.

Maria Berry 1820

Charming folky depiction of Adam and Eve on a sampler by Maria Berry circa 1820. This sampler is worked in lustrous floss silks on a very fine wool ground. Retaining exceptional colour and in fine original condition.

Jane Oxley 1819

Small Quaker text sampler worked by Jane Oxley in 1819. Jane came from a prominent Quaker family from Norwich and it seems likely that Jane was educated in the City. Jane's father Joseph was a prosperous Quaker merchant and her grandparents were travelling Quaker preachers. The verse on 'Charity' is taken from a poem by Matthew Prior (1664-1721). Worked in black silk thread on a plain weave linen ground. Fully conservation mounted and framed.

Mary Anable, 1823

An exceptionally finely worked floral border surrounding a pious verse makes the young Mary Anable's sampler a visual tour de force. Worked in brightly coloured silks on a fine wool ground this sampler retains wonderful original colour and condition. Dated 1823.

Jane Munef 1827

Fine and imposing Scottish sampler worked by Jane Munef in 1827 aged 10 years. Worked in coloured silks on a fine ground this sampler displays numerous different stitch techniques illustrating Janes skill with her needle. The sampler retains very good original colour and condition and is framed in a lovely period rosewood frame.

Hannah Hewitt 1811

This charming and folky sampler worked by Hannah Hewitt and dated 1811 is worked in coloured silks on a linen ground. The sampler incorporates numerous different stitch techniques and retains good original colour and condition. The sampler is fully conservation mounted and framed behind UV conservation glass.

Ackworth Medallion Sampler, 1802

Early 19th century Ackworth Medallion sampler worked by Hannah Smith in 1802. Worked in a dark green silk thread on an open linen ground. For further reading on Quaker samplers from Ackworth School see 'Friends A Common Thread' published by Witney Antiques 2008.

Eliz Stubbins early 19th century

Fine early 19th century English sampler worked by Eliz Stubbins. The sampler worked in brightly coloured silks on a very fine gauze ground relates to a very similar sampler held in the collection of the Cooper Hewitt Museum, New York. The sampler in the Cooper Hewitt Collection is worked by Maria Handsley and is dated 1810 enabling us to confidently date this example to the early 19th century. Research is ongoing to establish the likely location of the two girls and their teacher. Retaining lovely original colour and condition.

M A Hunton Martin. 1829

Fine plain sewn Quaker extract sampler worked by M A Hunton at Ackworth school in the year 1829.

Mary Ann Hunton came from London and entered the school in the year she worked her sampler, 1829, she left in 1831. Her brother Thomas also attended the school leaving the following year 1832. Mary Ann worked an extract on 'Resignation' penned by the prominent early Methodist writer James Hervey who wrote a number of popular books during the first half of the eighteenth century. Worked in black silk on a fine wool ground.

Sarah Bradshaw 19th century

Exceptionally finely executed early 19th century sampler by Sarah Bradshaw, dated Aug 20th 1823, worked when Sarah was only 13 years old. Worked in coloured silks on a very fine gauze ground this sampler displays a very wide choice of different stitch techniques displaying Sarah's proficiency with a needle. Retaining fine original condition.

Ann Venning 1833

Impressive family record sampler worked by Ann Venning at Marhamchurch school in 1833. This fine example of a family record sampler retains good original colour, worked in coloured silks on an exceptionally fine linen gauze. For further information see page 46 Embroidered Lives and Family Threads. pub Witney Antiques 2018.

Alies Bond. 1846

Intricately worked sampler stitched by Alies Bond, aged 10 years in 1846 at Mrs Sothertons school, Bowden Hill. Worked solely in red thread on a cotton ground a combination most usually associated with charity schools and Orphanages. Bowden Hill is situated near Lacock, Wiltshire and Alies or Alice's father Samuel worked as a cloth weaver at Bowden Mill. The family lived in one of the mill cottages and in 1851 the census shows they had taken in a lodger, who at the age of 78 was also working in the mill and described as a cloth worker. Alice at the age of 15 is also working as a knitter at the mill.

Mary Hammersley. 19th century

Charming sampler worked by Mary Hammersley in 1825. The large centrally placed royal coat of arms surrounded by two four line verses and numerous individual motifs including crowns, birds, stags and floral motifs. Contained in original frame in fine condition. Worked in coloured and white silks on a linen ground.

Catherine Winbush. 1832.

Catherine Winbush Her work in the year of our Lord 1832.

Finished July 26 aged 12.

This well executed sampler is almost identical to one worked by Elizabeth Harris and illustrated in the Catalogue of Embroideries The Lady Lever Art Gallery. Page 239. Contained in the original gift wood frame.

Julia A Moore. 1883

Bristol Orphanage sampler worked by Julia A Moore in 1883. This fine example of a Bristol Orphanage sampler retains very good colour and condition. Conservation mounted and framed behind UV protective glass. Full genealogical information available. Illustrated 'The Educated Stitch' 2019 page 50.

Mary Hoskin 1816

'Mary Hoskin finished this Sampler March the 8th 1816 in the eighth Year of her age'.

A charming sampler worked in coloured silks. Mary's age bears tribute to both her own skills and the skill of her teacher in producing work of such a technically high standard.

Janet Kerr, 19th century

Fine 19th century Scottish sampler worked in coloured silks on an open weave linen ground. Janet has included family names and initials, a practice typical of Scottish samplers of the period. The large church or chapel and adjacent one storey building make this a striking example of a Scottish schoolgirl sampler.

Mary Ann Wright. 19th century

19th century sampler of Burghley House in Lincolnshire. Worked by Mary Ann Wright, aged 13 years, in 1821. This sampler is from a known group of samplers worked at Stickney School Lincolnshire.

Frances Sophia Pymer. 19th century

Mid 19th century sampler by Frances Sophia Pymer aged 12 years dated 1843. In fine condition retaining good original colour. Frances has worked her sampler in coloured silks on a fine linen ground.

Martha Dyson 1847

Worked at the New School Ackworth this sampler is worked in fine coloured wool on an open weave linen ground. The school was established in 1833 by Rachel Howard in the village of Ackworth, Yorkshire, and was set up to educate the children of the village and surrounding areas. It is likely this sampler was worked under the instruction of a Miss Moore who was the second teacher to be appointed to the school. Full genealogical details available.

Hannah Chorlton. 1851

Imposing nineteenth century sampler by Hannah Chorlton, dated 1851. The depiction of Solomans Temple was a popular subject for inclusion on samplers during the middle years of the 19th century, with this example retaining very fine original condition and colour. Worked in coloured silks on a fine linen ground.

Maria Jewesbury 1816

Early nineteenth century 'House sampler' worked by Maria Jewesbury aged 10 years in 1816. Maria probably worked her neat sampler at school in Gloucester where she was brought up. Full genealogical information is available. Worked in coloured silks on a fine wool ground, this sampler retains good original colour and condition.

Mary Ann Bone 1821

Very well worked nineteenth century sampler by Mary Ann Bone worked in the year 1821 at the age of 13. Retaining lovely original condition and colour this sampler is worked in coloured silks on a fine linen ground.

J Sellers 1819

Beautifully worked sampler by J Sellers under the tuition of Mistress J Reynolds dated 1819. This sampler incorporates a wide variety of different stitches and is meticulous in its working. Worked on a very fine linen gauze ground in coloured silks this sampler is in outstanding condition and retains good strong original colour.

Emily Ingham 1844

Mid-nineteenth century sampler worked by Emily Ingham, aged 13, at Cornhill and Lime Street Ward School in 1844. Emily and her younger sister Louisa were brought up by their mother Susan, who was working as a dress maker in the parish of St Botolf, Bishopgate. The school was set up to educate the children of the working poor, it aimed to give the children the necessary skills for a life in service or to go into an apprenticeship. Full genealogical information is available.

Ann Leaver. 1834.

An exceptional sampler finely embroidered in coloured silks. An extravagant and freely worked floral border surrounds the meticulously stitched text. Probably worked under Quaker influence.

Deborah Watson 1808

Quaker medallion sampler worked by Deborah Watson at Ackworth school in 1808. Deborah entered Ackworth in 1806 from her family home in Durham, she worked her sampler the year she left in 1808. Worked in the muted silk threads typically associated with these medallion samplers, this example retains exceptional original condition.

Catherine Hartley. Circa 1835

This attractive sampler has an almost three dimensional effect achieved through tight stitching on the individual images worked with coloured silks using cross and petit point.

Contained in the original broad mahogany frame.

Brown Family Memorial Sampler. Circa 1835.

Memorial and family register samplers were for some reason more popular in America than England. A note on the reverse of the sampler tells us that it was embroidered by Anna Maria Brown (1822 - 1900).

Miniature sampler 1830

Miniature sampler worked in a wide variety of coloured silks, dating from circa 1830. This exceptionally finely worked sampler was likely worked at one of the many charitable institutions set up to educate the female poor during the early years of the nineteenth century. For more details see page 44 'The Educated Stitch' published by Witney Antiques 2019

Ann Cooper. 1826

A very busy sampler in which Ann has used every available space for numerous images and a long verse. Worked in silks on a linen ground.

Contained in the original maple frame

Sampler 1822

Worked entirely in cross stitch this anonymous sampler records the death of an infant male child in 1822 from Smallpox. The verse on the sampler is taken from a poem which appeared in 'The poetical Register and Repository of Fugitive Poetry' printed for F and C Rivington, London 1801. This moving sampler is now framed in a period maple frame. The sampler retains excellent original condition.

Elizabeth Evans. 19th century

19th century sampler worked by Elizabeth Evans aged 13 years. Freely worked sampler with a centrally placed moral verse surrounded by exuberantly worked potted plants and paired birds and stags, the whole within a flowerhead border. The sampler retains outstanding colour and is in fine original condition.

Eliza Duffield. Aged 10. 1843.
Bishop of Canterbury's Palace

Despite the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury being Lambeth Palace the image embroidered on this sampler is clearly Canterbury Cathedral.

Hannah Stonehouse 1808

Unusual early nineteenth century sampler worked by Hannah Stonehouse in her 15th year in 1808. Worked in coloured silks on a fine gauze ground. The depiction of Military subjects on samplers is relatively rare marking this sampler out as highly individual. Hannah was brought up in the village of Lastingham, situated on the southern edge of the North Yorkshire Moors, her family were farmers. Full genealogical details are available.

Mary Howells. 1822. Aged 9 Years

This very detailed tightly embroidered sampler is a huge achievement for a young girl of just nine years old. Worked with coloured silks on a fine ground fabric.

Mary Martin. March 29th 1827

Sampler worked in coloured silks depicting a shepherdess, Sheep in front of a red brick house. Contained in the original broad rosewood fame.

Louisa Farndell 1827

Beautifully and finely stitched floral sampler worked by Louisa Farndell in 1827, aged 13 years. This striking freely worked sampler retains great original colour and good condition. Worked in vibrantly coloured silks on a fine wool ground incorporating a variety of different stitch techniques

Mary Ann Giddings, 19th Century

Decorative 19th century House sampler worked by Mary Ann Giddings aged 9 years. This typical English House sampler is worked in a variety of different, very precise stitch techniques which present a very pleasing symmetrical composition. Retaining good original colour the sampler is worked in a variety of coloured silks on a fine weave ground.

Rhoda Brannan, 1820

Charming 19th century sampler worked by Rhoda Brannan at Southey aged 9 in 1820. Worked in coloured silks on a fine linen ground, this sampler retains good original colour, and combines a wide variety of different stitch techniques, showing the young Rhoda's skill with her needle.

Mary Smetham c. 1847

Worked by Mary Smetham at the Royal Free Masons School, circa 1847. Founded in 1789 the school was founded for the education of the daughters of Freemasons who were unable to look after their girls at home either through death or destitution. Although described as a school it would by modern standards be regarded as an early orphanage. At the end of their school life the girls were either returned to family or apprenticed out and supported until they could establish themselves. A full genealogical history is available for Mary. Worked in coloured silks on a fine woollen ground.

Ann Grigg 1806

Finely worked sampler by Ann Grigg aged 10 years, dated 1806. This finely worked charming sampler incorporates a large number of individual motifs worked around eight moral verses laid out to create a very symmetrical composition. Retaining good original colour, in fine original condition.

CL 1823
Continental. Mixed Media.

A brightly coloured sampler in remarkable unfaded state. The sampler may have been the work of a student in preparation for a position as a milliner or dress maker. The striking designs are constucted in skillfully shaded silks, spangles, metallic threads, chenille and aerophane (a fine silk gauze with a wrinkled crepe appearance, popular in the first half 19th century). Worked on a silk ground and bound with pink silk ribbon.

Contained in a period gilt frame.

Amy Shellard. 1836

Attractive 19th century 'House sampler' worked by Amy Shellard in 1836. Worked in coloured silks on a fine linen ground. The central house surrounded by numerous small spot motifs worked using a number of different techniques. Fully conservation mounted and framed in period frame behind UV protective glass. Provenance: Formerly in the collection of Vivian Crellin, author of 'Tokens of Love' pub The Sampler Guild 2006.

Alice Kate Duncum.
Late 19th Century

This school room exercise combining button hole, hem stitching and lettering was most likely the work of a student teacher named as Alice Kate Duncum aged 21 employed at the School House, Highfield, Southampton. It may have been entered for one of the competition run by female journals of the time.

Contained in the original oval mahogany frame.

Sampler by Rachel Withy, 1806

Quaker lettering sampler worked by Rachel Withy at Downend in 1806. Worked in dark blue silk on a linen ground. Full genealogical information available.

Elizabeth Boyden April 17. 1821.
Saraden School. Staffordshire

This carefully constructed sampler is worked entirely in cross stitch on a cream wool ground with an attractive stylised floral border and a long central verse inscribed 'An address to the Deity'.

Contained in the original rosewood frame.

Frances White, 19th century

Imposing 19th century sampler worked by Frances White at Mrs Longs school at the age of 11 years. The charming folky animals worked in coloured silks surround a central enclosed verse on Personal Virtues. Worked on a fine ground this sampler retains very good original colour and condition.

Sarah Bradley. 1871 Aged 14

Although Sarah Bradley completed this attractive and well balanced sampler in 1871 it was clearly begun by an unrecorded hand in 1818.

Embroidered on a cotton ground, almost entirely in red thread with a small addition of blue, the sampler has strong connections in it's design motifs with samplers worked by girls at the Muller Orphan Houses, Bristol.