Sampler (87.95.194)

Sampler with pictorial and memorial elements, silk and silk chenille thread on linen ground. Upper case Roman alphabet, upper case italic (script) alphabet, lower case alphabet, numerals 1-11 and maker's name. The first line's inscription is difficult to read; it appears to say Maroe; on the other side of a floral cluster is a date. The next line gives the maker's age and initials.

At the bottom left corner is a semi-circular paper, its shape suggesting a gravestone, sewn to the linen, with inked inscription marking the death of Louisa Benson and her age. Arching over this is a form meant to represent a weeping willow. To the right of this memorial are four lines of stitched inscriptions which are largely indecipherable.

Colors include white, pink, tan, yellow, light blue, green, and black. Stitches include cross, four-sided cross, satin, and eyelet.

Provenance Narrative Louisa was the daughter of Stephen and Nancy White Benson of Skaneatales, New York. Louisa was born November 12, 1806 and made her sampler at age 16. It is not known who added the memorial noting her death shortly after the sampler was completed. The sampler was part of a collection and the donor was not related to the maker.

Place Made United States NEW YORK Skaneateles

Signatures/Marks ABCDEFGHIJKLMN OPQRSTUVWXYZ& ABCDEFGHIK LMNOPQRS TUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrst uvwxyz 123456789 10 11 Louisa Benson Marce Nov 1 aged 16 LB _ LOUISA BENSON Died 14 March 1824 Aged 17 Years by 3 Months