Family Register
EmbroidererEmbroidered by
Annis Jennet Filley
American, born 1817
Date1826
MediumEmbroidery; silk thread on a plain-woven, undyed linen ground
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 16 5/8 x 17 1/8in. (42.2 x 43.5cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineGift of Dorothy Filley Bidwell
DescriptionFamily register worked in dark greens, dark brown, dark blue, yellow, lavender, brick red, cream, light green and medium brown silk threads on a plain-woven linen ground in cross stitch and other stitches. The register is squarish, oriented horizontally. It is laid out with a horizontal band of pictorial motifs and the words "Family Register", over a horizontal band containing pictorial motifs and three rows of family details, over three columns containing an inscription and eleven rows of family details, over two inscriptions at the bottom, which are flanked by two vases of flowers. The first inscription is a verse, "When youth's/ soft season/ shall be oer/ And scenes/ of childhood/ charm no more/ My riper years/ with joy shall see/ This proof of/ youthful/ industry". The second inscription is "Keep sacred the memory of your Ancestors". The third inscription is "Wrought by Annis J Filley AD 1826 Æ 9". The pictorial motifs in the first horizontal band include, from left to right, a right-facing bird in tree and a left-facing bird in tree. The pictorial motifs in the second horizontal band include, from left to right, a right-leaning plant or tree over a queen-stitched flower or strawberry and a left-leaning plant or tree over a queen-stitched flower or strawberry. Certain sections of the register are separated by various narrow horizontal borders, including straight and meandering lines. The eleven rows of family detail are surrounded by a box. The register has a four-sided geometric floral border, with larger geometric designs at each corner.
The register has a 3/16-inch double-turned hem on all four edges. It has evenly spaced nail holes along all four edges. The register is not framed or mounted.
Letters and Numbers: Except in one instance, all lowercase letters with descenders, such as the letter 'g', are placed so the descender does not extend below the baseline.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the register is cross stitch (over two); it is also worked in cross over one, satin and queen stitches.
Condition: The register has light to moderate fading, depending on the color. The register has evenly spaced nail holes along all four edges. The register is not framed or mounted.
The register has a 3/16-inch double-turned hem on all four edges. It has evenly spaced nail holes along all four edges. The register is not framed or mounted.
Letters and Numbers: Except in one instance, all lowercase letters with descenders, such as the letter 'g', are placed so the descender does not extend below the baseline.
Stitches: The principal stitch on the register is cross stitch (over two); it is also worked in cross over one, satin and queen stitches.
Condition: The register has light to moderate fading, depending on the color. The register has evenly spaced nail holes along all four edges. The register is not framed or mounted.
Object number1963.45.1
MarkingsTranscription of text lines:"Family Register/ Oliver Filley ……………….born June 26 1784/ Annis Humphry……born Nov 14 1785/ Married May 8 1805".
Transcription of text lines in left column:
"When youth's/ soft season/ shall be oer/ And scenes/ of childhood/ charm no more/ My riper years/ with joy shall see/ This proof of/ youthful/ industry".
Transcription of text lines in middle and right columns:
" Deaths
Oliver Dwight ………born May 23 1806
Marcus Lucius ……born Nov 3 1807
Jay Humphry ………..born Mar. 13 1810
Joseph Earl …………….born Sept 5 1812 Oct 27 1812
An Infant ……………..born June 30 1813 June 30 1813
Giles Franklin …………..born Feb 3 1815
Annis Jennet ……….born Jan 9 1817
John Eldridge ………..born Dec 30 1818 Mar 15 1846
An Infant …………….born Dec 22 1820 Dec 23 1820"
Oliver Filley ……………..died Dec 9 1846
Annis Filley …………….died
Transcriptions of the second and third inscriptions:
"Keep sacred the memory of your Ancestors/ Wrought by Annis J Filley AD 1826 Æ 9".NotesDate Note: The family register is dated 1826, but has three death dates that were added later, possibly by two different hands. (Hunt 4/9/2007)
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