Miniature Samplers
TeacherTaught by
Sally Hinsdale
(American, 1803 - 1826)
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Julia Sadd
(American)
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Mary Ann Gillit
(American)
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Polly Steele
(American)
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Abigail Woodruff
(American)
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Achsa A. Merrill
(American)
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Emily Douglas
(American)
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Nancy Cadwell
(American)
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Elisa S. Moore
(American)
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Sylvia Sadd
(American)
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Almira A. Moore
(American)
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Abigail Hotchkis
(American)
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Sylvia Carte
(American)
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Sarah H.
(American)
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Caroline S. A.
(American)
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Jane F. A. A.
(American)
Date1824-1825
MediumHand-stitched silk and wool on linen, with mat board, wood and glass frame and paper backing, wire and metal eye screws
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth of frame): 23 5/8 x 23 5/8 x 7/8in. (60 x 60 x 2.2cm)
Component (height x width of sampler .a): 3 1/8 x 3 1/4in. (7.9 x 8.3cm)
Component (height x width of sampler .b): 3 1/4 x 3 1/4in. (8.3 x 8.3cm)
Component (height x width of sampler .c): 3 3/16 x 3 13/16in. (8.1 x 9.7cm)
Component (height x width of sampler .d): 3 1/4 x 4 3/8in. (8.3 x 11.1cm)
Component (height x width of sampler .e): 3 7/8 x 3 3/4in. (9.8 x 9.5cm)
Component (height x width of sampler .f): 2 7/8 x 3 3/8in. (7.3 x 8.6cm)
Component (height x width of sampler .g): 3 1/2 x 4 1/8in. (8.9 x 10.5cm)
Component (height x width of sampler .h): 2 1/2 x 4 1/8in. (6.4 x 10.5cm)
Component (height x width of sampler .i): 2 1/4 x 3 7/8in. (5.7 x 9.8cm)
Component (height x width of sampler .j): 3 5/8 x 3 1/2in. (9.2 x 8.9cm)
Component (height x width of sampler .k): 3 15/16 x 4 7/16in. (10 x 11.3cm)
Component (height x width of sampler .l): 3 7/8 x 3 7/8in. (9.8 x 9.8cm)
Component (height x width of sampler .m): 5 3/4 x 4 3/8in. (14.6 x 11.1cm)
Component (height x width of sampler .n): 1 3/4 x 2 7/8in. (4.4 x 7.3cm)
Component (height x width of sampler .o): 2 x 2 1/2in. (5.1 x 6.4cm)
Component (height x width of sampler .p): 4 5/8 x 4 1/8in. (11.7 x 10.5cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of George J. and Mary C. Leger
Object number2001.113.3a-p
DescriptionGroup of samplers, consisting of 16 small samplers, each mounted and displayed in a single modern frame, separated from each other by a custom-made mat. The samplers are generally worked in browns, mints, grays, creams, and green silk threads on plain-woven linen ground in cross and back stitches. The samplers vary in shape.
There is an ink, hand-written description in the bottom center (slightly off-center) of the frame, displayed in the same manner as the samplers. It reads "These samplers were made by/ pupils of Sally Hinsdale of Har-/ winton who taught in New Hart-/ ford and probably also in Har-/ winton. She died Feb. 25, 1826,/ aged (almost) 23 years.".
Condition: There are stains on almost all of the pieces.
Individual samplers (starting from the top row, upper left corner and moving across to the right):
Sampler .a: Julia Sadd
Description: Sampler worked in medium sage, cream, and light sage silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is squarish, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with three inscriptions. The first inscription is "Julia Sadd/ aged 15 yrs". The second inscription is "Sarah H…...". The third inscription is "Harwinto [sic]". There is a narrow four-sided border.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: The sampler probably has moderate to severe fading.
Sampler .b: Mary Ann Gillet
Description: Sampler worked in light gray-brown and cream silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is square. It is laid out with two inscriptions and a marking motif. The first inscription is "Mary. Ann/ Gillit Age/ 7 Years". The second inscription is "S.H..". There is a narrow four-sided border.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: The sampler probably has moderate to severe fading.
Sampler .c: Polly Steele
Description: Sampler worked in red, light gray, light mint, light brown, and cream silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is rectangular, oriented vertically. It is laid out with two inscriptions, over double intertwined hearts, which are flanked by the initials "S" and "H". The first inscription is "Polly Steele/ aged 11 yrs". The second inscription is "New Hartfo [sic]". The third inscription is "S H". There is a narrow four-sided border.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: The sampler probably has light to severe fading.
Sampler .d: Abigail Woodruf
Description: Sampler worked in light gray silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is rectangular, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with three inscriptions. The first inscription is "Abigail Woodruf/ Aged 9 yeas [sic]". The second inscription is "New Hartford". The third inscription is "S H". There is no border.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: The sampler probably has moderate to severe fading.
Continuing with the new row (second), left side and moving right:
Sampler .e: Achsa A Merrill
Description: Sampler worked in dark brown, medium brown, light gray, and red silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is squarish, oriented vertically. It is laid out with four inscriptions. The first inscription is "Achsa A Merrill/ aged 9 Years". The second inscription is "New H……d". The third inscription is "Sarah H……e". The fourth inscription is "H…….n". There is a narrow four-sided border.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: The sampler probably has light to severe fading.
Sampler .f: Abigail Hotchkis
Description: Sampler worked in olive, red, light gray, and cream silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is rectangular, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with one inscription, over a horizontal decorative line. The inscription is "Abigail/ Hotchkis/ Aged 7". There is no border.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: The sampler probably has light to severe fading.
Sampler .g: Emily Douglas
Description: Sampler worked in medium sage silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is rectangular, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with four inscriptions. The first inscription is "Emily Douglas/ Aged.8.Years". The second inscription is "New Hartfo../ rd". The third inscription is "Sarah H..". The fourth inscription is "Harwinton". There is no border.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: The sampler probably has light to moderate fading.
Sampler .h: Abigail H
Description: Sampler worked in cream and light brown silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is rectangular, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with two inscriptions. The first inscription is "Sarah H……". The second inscription is "Abigail H…". There is a four-sided border.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: The bottom shows a raw edge. The sampler probably has moderate to severe fading.
Continuing with the new row (third), left side and moving right:
Sampler .i: Nancy Cadwell
Description: Sampler worked in medium gray-brown, light gray-brown, and cream silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is rectangular, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with one inscription, over a four-legged animal. The inscription is "Nancy Cadwell/ aged 8 years". There is no border.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: There are at least three holes. The sampler probably has moderate to severe fading.
Sampler .j: Caroline S.A
Description: Sampler worked in medium brown and cream silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is squarish, oriented vertically. It is laid out with four inscriptions. The first inscription is "Caroline S.A/ aged 12 yrs". The second inscription is "New Hart". The third inscription is "Sarah H…….". The fourth inscription is "Harwinton". There is a narrow four-sided border.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: The sampler probably has light to severe fading.
Sampler .k: Elisa S Moore
Description: Sampler worked in medium gray-brown and light gray-brown silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is rectangular, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with four inscriptions. The first inscription is "Elisa S Moore/ Aged.8 Years". The second inscription is "New Hartfor [sic]". The third inscription is "Sarah H…….". The fourth inscription is "Harwinton". There is a border at bottom only.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: There is at least one hole. The sampler probably has moderate to severe fading.
Sampler .l: Jane F. A. A.
Description: Sampler worked in medium brown, cream, and dark brown silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is square. It is laid out with four inscriptions. The first inscription is "Jane F. A. A./ Aged 11 ye/ ars". The second inscription is "New H [sic]". The third inscription is "Sarah H……". The fourth inscription is "Harwinton". There is a border at sides and top only.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: The sampler probably has light to severe fading.
Continuing with the new row (fourth), left side and moving right:
Sampler .m: Lucy Ann Bull
Description: Sampler worked in dark brown, medium brown, light gray-brown, mint, and cream silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross (over two threads) and back stitches. The sampler is rectangular, oriented vertically. It is laid out with six rows of two alphabets and the numbers 1 through 5, over an inscription, over a bottom panel containing initials "IIL" and a few motifs. The inscription is "Lucy Ann Bull". There is a narrow four-sided border.
Letters and Numbers: The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1, and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The letters J and U are present in both alphabets. The number 4 is backwards. Maker uses long 's'.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch over two threads; it is also worked in back stitches.
Condition: The sampler probably has light to severe fading.
Sampler .n: Sylvia Sadd
Description: Sampler worked in medium brown silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is rectangular, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with three inscriptions. The first inscription is "Sylvia Sadd/ Aged 10 yrs". The second inscription is "New Hartfo/ rd." The third inscription is "S H". There is no border.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: The sampler probably has minimal fading.
Sampler .o: Almira Ann Moore
Description: Sampler worked in light gray-brown and cream silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross (over two threads) and back stitches. The sampler is rectangular, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with an inscription. The inscription is "Almira Ann/ Moore Age/ 9 Ye". There are several straight horizontal lines at the bottom.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch (over two threads); it is also worked in back stitches.
Condition: There are several holes, which are backed with a piece of fabric to support. The sampler probably has moderate to severe fading.
Sampler .p: Sylvia Carte
Description: Sampler worked in light brown, dark brown, medium sage, light mint, and pink silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is rectangular, oriented vertically. It is laid out with two inscriptions, over a two-story house with center door. The first inscription is "Sylvia Carte/ Age 10 YEA". The second inscription is "S. H". There is no border.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: The sampler probably has minimal to severe fading.
There is an ink, hand-written description in the bottom center (slightly off-center) of the frame, displayed in the same manner as the samplers. It reads "These samplers were made by/ pupils of Sally Hinsdale of Har-/ winton who taught in New Hart-/ ford and probably also in Har-/ winton. She died Feb. 25, 1826,/ aged (almost) 23 years.".
Condition: There are stains on almost all of the pieces.
Individual samplers (starting from the top row, upper left corner and moving across to the right):
Sampler .a: Julia Sadd
Description: Sampler worked in medium sage, cream, and light sage silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is squarish, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with three inscriptions. The first inscription is "Julia Sadd/ aged 15 yrs". The second inscription is "Sarah H…...". The third inscription is "Harwinto [sic]". There is a narrow four-sided border.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: The sampler probably has moderate to severe fading.
Sampler .b: Mary Ann Gillet
Description: Sampler worked in light gray-brown and cream silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is square. It is laid out with two inscriptions and a marking motif. The first inscription is "Mary. Ann/ Gillit Age/ 7 Years". The second inscription is "S.H..". There is a narrow four-sided border.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: The sampler probably has moderate to severe fading.
Sampler .c: Polly Steele
Description: Sampler worked in red, light gray, light mint, light brown, and cream silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is rectangular, oriented vertically. It is laid out with two inscriptions, over double intertwined hearts, which are flanked by the initials "S" and "H". The first inscription is "Polly Steele/ aged 11 yrs". The second inscription is "New Hartfo [sic]". The third inscription is "S H". There is a narrow four-sided border.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: The sampler probably has light to severe fading.
Sampler .d: Abigail Woodruf
Description: Sampler worked in light gray silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is rectangular, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with three inscriptions. The first inscription is "Abigail Woodruf/ Aged 9 yeas [sic]". The second inscription is "New Hartford". The third inscription is "S H". There is no border.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: The sampler probably has moderate to severe fading.
Continuing with the new row (second), left side and moving right:
Sampler .e: Achsa A Merrill
Description: Sampler worked in dark brown, medium brown, light gray, and red silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is squarish, oriented vertically. It is laid out with four inscriptions. The first inscription is "Achsa A Merrill/ aged 9 Years". The second inscription is "New H……d". The third inscription is "Sarah H……e". The fourth inscription is "H…….n". There is a narrow four-sided border.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: The sampler probably has light to severe fading.
Sampler .f: Abigail Hotchkis
Description: Sampler worked in olive, red, light gray, and cream silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is rectangular, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with one inscription, over a horizontal decorative line. The inscription is "Abigail/ Hotchkis/ Aged 7". There is no border.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: The sampler probably has light to severe fading.
Sampler .g: Emily Douglas
Description: Sampler worked in medium sage silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is rectangular, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with four inscriptions. The first inscription is "Emily Douglas/ Aged.8.Years". The second inscription is "New Hartfo../ rd". The third inscription is "Sarah H..". The fourth inscription is "Harwinton". There is no border.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: The sampler probably has light to moderate fading.
Sampler .h: Abigail H
Description: Sampler worked in cream and light brown silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is rectangular, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with two inscriptions. The first inscription is "Sarah H……". The second inscription is "Abigail H…". There is a four-sided border.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: The bottom shows a raw edge. The sampler probably has moderate to severe fading.
Continuing with the new row (third), left side and moving right:
Sampler .i: Nancy Cadwell
Description: Sampler worked in medium gray-brown, light gray-brown, and cream silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is rectangular, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with one inscription, over a four-legged animal. The inscription is "Nancy Cadwell/ aged 8 years". There is no border.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: There are at least three holes. The sampler probably has moderate to severe fading.
Sampler .j: Caroline S.A
Description: Sampler worked in medium brown and cream silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is squarish, oriented vertically. It is laid out with four inscriptions. The first inscription is "Caroline S.A/ aged 12 yrs". The second inscription is "New Hart". The third inscription is "Sarah H…….". The fourth inscription is "Harwinton". There is a narrow four-sided border.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: The sampler probably has light to severe fading.
Sampler .k: Elisa S Moore
Description: Sampler worked in medium gray-brown and light gray-brown silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is rectangular, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with four inscriptions. The first inscription is "Elisa S Moore/ Aged.8 Years". The second inscription is "New Hartfor [sic]". The third inscription is "Sarah H…….". The fourth inscription is "Harwinton". There is a border at bottom only.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: There is at least one hole. The sampler probably has moderate to severe fading.
Sampler .l: Jane F. A. A.
Description: Sampler worked in medium brown, cream, and dark brown silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is square. It is laid out with four inscriptions. The first inscription is "Jane F. A. A./ Aged 11 ye/ ars". The second inscription is "New H [sic]". The third inscription is "Sarah H……". The fourth inscription is "Harwinton". There is a border at sides and top only.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: The sampler probably has light to severe fading.
Continuing with the new row (fourth), left side and moving right:
Sampler .m: Lucy Ann Bull
Description: Sampler worked in dark brown, medium brown, light gray-brown, mint, and cream silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross (over two threads) and back stitches. The sampler is rectangular, oriented vertically. It is laid out with six rows of two alphabets and the numbers 1 through 5, over an inscription, over a bottom panel containing initials "IIL" and a few motifs. The inscription is "Lucy Ann Bull". There is a narrow four-sided border.
Letters and Numbers: The letters are uppercase block in alphabet 1, and lowercase block in alphabet 2. The letters J and U are present in both alphabets. The number 4 is backwards. Maker uses long 's'.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch over two threads; it is also worked in back stitches.
Condition: The sampler probably has light to severe fading.
Sampler .n: Sylvia Sadd
Description: Sampler worked in medium brown silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is rectangular, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with three inscriptions. The first inscription is "Sylvia Sadd/ Aged 10 yrs". The second inscription is "New Hartfo/ rd." The third inscription is "S H". There is no border.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: The sampler probably has minimal fading.
Sampler .o: Almira Ann Moore
Description: Sampler worked in light gray-brown and cream silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross (over two threads) and back stitches. The sampler is rectangular, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with an inscription. The inscription is "Almira Ann/ Moore Age/ 9 Ye". There are several straight horizontal lines at the bottom.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the sampler is cross stitch (over two threads); it is also worked in back stitches.
Condition: There are several holes, which are backed with a piece of fabric to support. The sampler probably has moderate to severe fading.
Sampler .p: Sylvia Carte
Description: Sampler worked in light brown, dark brown, medium sage, light mint, and pink silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitches over two threads. The sampler is rectangular, oriented vertically. It is laid out with two inscriptions, over a two-story house with center door. The first inscription is "Sylvia Carte/ Age 10 YEA". The second inscription is "S. H". There is no border.
Stitches: The sampler is worked in cross stitch over two threads.
Condition: The sampler probably has minimal to severe fading.
Label TextThis collection of samplers was made by sixteen pupils of Sally Hinsdale of
Harwinton. Most provide the maker’s name and age, ranging from seven
to fifteen. Some have borders, but none are alike. A few have individual
pictorial motifs. Only the largest sampler, by twelve-year-old Lydia Ann
Bull, includes traditional alphabets. Several different pieces of linen were
used for the grounds, all probably made locally of homespun yarn. They
vary somewhat in quality and fineness, from Sylvia Sadd’s very fine, very
small piece (second from the left, bottom row) to Jane F.A.A.’s coarser
piece (second from bottom, on the right).
Nothing is known about why the students presented these tokens to
their teacher, nor has any information on Sally Hinsdale’s teaching been
discovered. She died a few months short of her twenty-third birthday.
NotesDate Note: Dating of the samplers is calculated from Polly Steele's age (11) and birthdate. Since she was born on 21 March 1813, her sampler must have been made between March 1824 and March 1825. (Schoelwer 5/31/2009)Harwinton. Most provide the maker’s name and age, ranging from seven
to fifteen. Some have borders, but none are alike. A few have individual
pictorial motifs. Only the largest sampler, by twelve-year-old Lydia Ann
Bull, includes traditional alphabets. Several different pieces of linen were
used for the grounds, all probably made locally of homespun yarn. They
vary somewhat in quality and fineness, from Sylvia Sadd’s very fine, very
small piece (second from the left, bottom row) to Jane F.A.A.’s coarser
piece (second from bottom, on the right).
Nothing is known about why the students presented these tokens to
their teacher, nor has any information on Sally Hinsdale’s teaching been
discovered. She died a few months short of her twenty-third birthday.
Status
Not on view
