Images(15)

Sampler by Sellah Fulgham

DateMay 20, 1761 (dated)

Artist/Maker Sellah Fulgham (born ca. 1749)

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Isle of Wight County

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 40 x 31 threads per inch

DimensionsW: 8 7/8" OL: 17 1/8"

Credit LineGift from the estate of Mrs. Mary Wrenn Cofer Ballard in honor of her daughters, Mary Wrenn Ballard Oliver and Anne Lewis Ballard Weaver

Object number1988-460

DescriptionThis is an unfinished rectangular sampler worked in faded shades of blue, green, brown, black, yellow, ivory, gold, and red on a natural color linen ground. The sampler is hemmed on 3 sides with a 1/8" hem and has selvage at right side.
From the top:
Decorative band worked in reversible cross stitch.
"A-O" (no J), upper case worked in reversible cross stitch.
Decorative band worked in reversible cross stitch.
"P-X" (no U), upper case; "1-3", all worked in reversible cross stitch.
Decorative band worked in reversible cross stitch.
"A-O" (no J), upper case worked in reversible cross stitch.
Wave motif (to the right) worked in reversible cross stitch.
"P-X" (no U), upper cases worked in reversible cross stitch.
Decorative band worked in reversible cross stitch.
"a-u", lower case worked in reversible cross stitch.
Decorative band worked in reversible cross stitch.
"W-Z", upper case; "&"; "1-10", all worked in reversible four-sided cross stitch (x on front, square on back).
Decorative band worked in eyelet stitch.
"A-G", upper case worked in eyelet stitch.
Decorative band worked in eyelet stitch.
"H-O" (no J), upper case worked in eyelet stitch.
Decorative triangular band worked in satin stitch.
"P-W" (no U), upper case worked in eyelet stitch.
Decorative band worked in double cross stitch.
"X-Z", uppercase; "&", all worked in eyelet stitch; followed by 2 stars worked in reversible cross stitch.
Decorative triangular band worked in satin stitch and cross stitch.
All of signature line is worked in reversible cross stitch: "Sellah Fulgham is My Name Virginia is/ My Nation the Isle White My Dwelling Place"/ Decorative band worked in herringbone stitch. "And Christ My Salvation May the 20th/ 1761 Worked this Samplar"; followed by small decorative motifs including 2 hearts.
Decorative band worked in double cross stitch.
The bottom third of the sampler consists of: a row of crowns and stars, a band in herringbone stitch, a band in cross stitch, and some scattered eyelet stitches including a "S". To the bottom left is an area of Irish stitch and to the right a stag on a hillock worked in reversible cross stitch. The sampler is enclosed on all 4 sides with a vine and flower border worked in a reversible cross stitch.

Stitches: double cross, eyelet, herringbone, Irish (over 4, back 2), marking cross (over 1 and 2), and satin. All stitches are executed in such a neat manner as to make the back a mirror image of the front.
Label TextSamplers, such as Sellah Fulgham's, were usually the product of a schoolgirl working under the direction of a teacher who designed the sampler as well as provided the necessary instruction in stitches. Many of the samplers produced in the Chesapeake region during the eighteenth-century depict neat and precise stitching techniques using reversible stitches--a labor-intensive construction characteristic paralleled in the furniture of an area that favored the "neat and plain" and "English style." Reversible stitches, such as the marking cross, created a sampler just as neat on the back as the front.
The earliest identified Virginia sampler marked with its maker's name, origin, and date is this unfinished sampler by Sellah Fulgham dated 1761. It typifies early Chesapeake Virginia needlework in the use of marking cross and Irish stitches. The stitches are so neatly executed that the reverse of the sampler mirrors the front. Religious and moral verses were an integral part of most Virginia samplers. Sellah's inscription proudly proclaims Isle of Wight County, Virginia, as her home and reminds the viewer of her faith.

Inscribed"Sellah Fulgham is My Name Virginia is/ My Nation the Isle White My Dwelling Place"/ "And Christ My Salvation May the 20th/ 1761 Worked this Samplar."
ProvenanceThe sampler along with a prayer book belonging to Selah Fulgham's daughter, Selah (Celia) Casey Jordan, descended in Mrs. Mary Wrenn Cofer Ballard's family. (The 1771 Scottish prayer book was accessioned into the collection of the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library.)

History of samplermaker:
Selah Fulgham is probably the Celia Fulgham born ca. 1749, to Anthony Fulgham and Rebecca Johnson Fulgham of Red Point, Isle of Wight County, Virginia. The Fulgham family was active in early Isle of Wight County government, Bacon's Rebellion, and the early tobacco industry. In Anthony Fulgham's will dated January 3, 1768, and recorded March 3, 1768, Fulgham refers to his "Daughter Celia" (Isle of Wight WB 7, page 503). Selah (Celia) married William Casey of Isle of Wight County. William Casey's will dated January 28, 1813, (Isle of Wight Will Book 15, p. 40) leaves his estate to his son Henry and daughter Celia (Selah) Jordan. (Information from letter by Robert S. Fulgham, 11/19/05)