Sampler by Mary Butler

DateMay 7, 1806 (dated)

Artist/Maker Mary Butler

OriginAmerica, New Jersey, Bergen County

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 32 wefts by 30 warps per inch (Identification of fibers by eye)

Dimensions7 15/16" x 7 1/2"

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Robert Whitelaw Wilson

Object number1991-439

DescriptionThis is a small square needlework sampler worked in shades of green, brown/black, blue, ivory, and what was originally red/pink on a darkened natural-colored linen ground fabric. The sampler is hemmed in a 3/8" hem on three sides with selvage at bottom.
From the top sampler consists of:
"A-D" upper case block worked in eyelet stitch with a triangular motif worked before and after each letter in outline stitch
Decorative band in a compacted eyelet stitch
"E-O" upper case block worked in eyelet stitch
Decorative band worked in a compacted eyelet stitch
"P-Y" upper case block worked in eyelet stitch
Decorative band worked in queen's stitch
"A &" worked in eyelet stitch and "Mary Butler her work wrought" worked in half cross stitch
"in the ninth year of her age may the Seventh" worked in half cross stitch
"And in the year of our Lord 1806 By the" worked in half cross
"Instruction of Mrs Field Bergen County" worked in half cross
"In the State of new Jersey" worked in half cross, followed by four diamond motifs worked in cross stitch
The bottom section of the sampler consists of a decorative band with six suspended strawberry motifs worked in Roumanian stitch, the initials "M B" in upper case block worked in eyelet, three potted flowers/plants, the name "Mary/Butl/er" worked on three lines in the bottom left corner, "M I [or an unfinished B?]" possibly worked by a different hand, and what appears to be the date "1807." In this bottom section there are some isolated stitches which may have been worked by a different hand.
The sampler is enclosed on all four sides in an undulating vine and strawberry border.
Stitches: cross (= on reverse), button hole, chain, eyelet, half cross, queen's, outline, and Roumanian

Label TextEight-year-old Mary Butler stitched this small alphabet sampler. Mary marked her sampler with the date of its completion--"1806," the place of its origin--"Bergen County in the state of new Jersey," and her teacher's name--"Mrs. Field." Unfortunately Mary Butler and her teacher have not been identified.
Inscribed"Mary Butler her work wrought/ in the ninth year of her age may the Seventh/" "And in the year of our Lord 1806 By the/"Instruction of Mrs Field Bergen County/"
"In the State of new Jersey"
ProvenanceThe sampler was passed down to the donor, Mrs. Robert Whitelaw Wilson (Janet Mahony Wilson) through her mother's line. Her mother was Mary Murray Butler Mahony, born in Paterson, New Jersey (Bergen County) in 1878. Mary Mahony's mother was Mary Jones Murray of Elizabeth, New Jersey. She married Henry L. Butler in 1861. No further information is known at this time.