Susannah Spencer sampler
MakerMade by
Sarah Spencer
(American, 1774 - 1843)
MakerMade by
Susanna Spencer
(American, 1747 - 1832)
Date1761
MediumSilk on linen.
DimensionsSheet (height x width): 4 1/2 x 6 1/2in. (11.4 x 16.5cm)
Frame (height x width): 7 x 9 1/4 x 1 1/8in. (17.8 x 23.5 x 2.9cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number2015.50.0
DescriptionThe sampler is stitched on beige linen with a plain border along the outside. The alphabet is first in blue, except the letter D which is a lighter color the symbol "&" completes the alphabet. Below the alphabet is stiched "Susanna Spencer/Born September 20/1747: Made in/ the year 1761/ her sampler" followed by the numbers 1-10. The number 1 looks like a J throughout the peice. There is a cross-stitched diamond design on the right side, with the top two lines of the diamond extending out and having small "flags" at the ends.
Label TextMarking Sampler
1761
Made by Susanna Spencer Barrett
New Hartford, CT
CHS collection, 2015.50.0
There are few known examples of signed and dated samplers made in Connecticut from before the American Revolution. This rare marking sampler was made by Susanna Spencer (1747- 1832) when she was about 14 years old. Girls made marking samplers to practice sewing letters and numbers, and they usually were not meant to be displayed.
The maker of this sampler was born and raised in New Hartford, a rural community which today is about a 30 minute drive from Hartford. In 1781, when she was thirty-three, and already expecting her first child, she married neighbor William Barrett. The couple went on to have eight children and owned an eighty-five acre farm. Two of their daughters, Zeloda and Samantha kept diaries that documented their activities on the farm. These diaries are in the CHS collection.
1761
Made by Susanna Spencer Barrett
New Hartford, CT
CHS collection, 2015.50.0
There are few known examples of signed and dated samplers made in Connecticut from before the American Revolution. This rare marking sampler was made by Susanna Spencer (1747- 1832) when she was about 14 years old. Girls made marking samplers to practice sewing letters and numbers, and they usually were not meant to be displayed.
The maker of this sampler was born and raised in New Hartford, a rural community which today is about a 30 minute drive from Hartford. In 1781, when she was thirty-three, and already expecting her first child, she married neighbor William Barrett. The couple went on to have eight children and owned an eighty-five acre farm. Two of their daughters, Zeloda and Samantha kept diaries that documented their activities on the farm. These diaries are in the CHS collection.
Status
Not on view
