Sampler by Dinah Longman

Date1800-1840

Maker Dinah Longman

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a worsted ground of 47 x 47 threads per inch (fiber identification by eye) Wooden frame and glass

DimensionsFramed: 17 × 15 1/4in. Actual (by sight): 37.1 × 32.1cm (14 5/8 × 12 5/8in.)

Credit LineGift of Beatrix T. Rumford

Object number2020-75

DescriptionThis is a framed, rectangular sampler worked in shades of pink, green, blue, natural, brown, and white silk embroidery threads on a worsted ground. The top half of the sampler consists of a verse surrounded by isolated motifs including stars, flowers, baskets, fleur-de-lis, hearts, and a crown. The verse reads: "Jesus permit they Gracious name to stand / As the first efforts of my youthful hand/ And while my fingers on the canvass move / Engage my sinful heart to see they love / With thy dear children lord give me a part / And write they name dear Jesus on my heart." Below the verse is a tree planted on a green ground which also supports two shrubs, a cow, a bird, a dog, an owl, and a person. Figures representing Adam and Eve stand on either side of the tree; Eve takes an apple from a serpent coiled around the trunk. Two angels hover above the tree and the entire scene is surrounded by birds and flowers. Below this scene is the signature line: "Dinah Longman Aged 8 Years." The signature line is followed by a block of satin stitch which presumably obscures the date. he entire sampler is bordered by an undulating, flowering vine.

Stitches: cross and satin
Label TextDinah Longman likely completed this sampler as a school exercise. In addition to learning sewing stitches, young girls also practiced their literacy skills while working a sampler. It is possible that Dinah returned to her sampler years later to cover the completion date with a block of satin stitch in order to prevent others from learning her age.
Inscribed"Jesus permit they Gracious name to stand / As the first efforts of my youthful hand/ And while my fingers on the canvass move / Engage my sinful heart to see they love / With thy dear children lord give me a part / And write they name dear Jesus on my heart."
MarkingsAn inscription on the back of the frame reads: “purchased + restored/ by Beatrix Rumford/ April, 1971”.

A sticker on the back of the frame reads: “Herbert Schiffer/ ANTIQUES/ EXTON/ PA.”
ProvenanceBeatrix T. Rumford (b. 1939) purchased this piece from Herbert Schiffer in Exton, Pennsylvania in 1973, and donated it to Colonial Williamsburg in 2020.