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Sampler 2015-156
Sampler by Eliza Davis
Sampler 2015-156

Sampler by Eliza Davis

DateMarch 12, 1839
Maker Eliza Davis
OriginAmerica, Kentucky, Montgomery County
MediumCotton embroidery threads on a cotton ground of 30 x 22 threads per inch (fibers identified microscopically)
DimensionsOH: 21 3 /4" x OW: 15"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number2015-156
DescriptionThis is a rectangular needlework sampler worked in faded shades of blue, green, and gold on a natural color cotton ground. The top half of the sampler consists of one upper case alphabet in script; three upper case alphabets in block; the numerals 1-4; and a lower case alphabet in block divided by bands. The bottom portion of the sampler consists of the verse: "I'll not willingly offend/ Nor be easily offended/ What's amis [sic] I'll strive to mend/ And indure [sic] what cant [sic] be mended" and the signature: "Eliza Davis's Sampler/ March 12th A. D 1839/ Montgomery County Kentucky" enclosed in a queen stitch border. This is surrounded by isolated motifs including queen stitched strawberries; butterfly; basket of flowers or fruit; undulating vine of tulip-like flowers; two tiny black dogs; floral motifs, and small flowering tree in an urn. The entire sampler is enclosed in a border of wave motif worked in cross stitch.

Stitches: cross over 1 and 2; eyelet, flat, longarm cross; queen
Label TextKentucky schoolgirl samplers are rare and even rarer are ones that are signed, dated, and include a place name like this sampler marked "Montgomery County, Kentucky." By the time Eliza Davis completed the sampler in 1839, the Montgomery County seat, Mount Sterling, was a well-established town with a number of public facilities including a jail and post office. Situated in the outer Bluegrass Region of Kentucky, the area was primarily agricultural. Eliza's large alphabet sampler was probably made at a local academy for female education. Typical of samplers of this period is the inclusion of a moral verse from Isaac Watt's DIVINE SONGS. We would do well to observe its message: “I’ll not willingly offend/ Nor be easily offended/ What’s amiss I’ll strive to mend/ and endure what can’t be mended.”
InscribedI'll not willingly offend/ Nor be easily offended/ What's amis I'll strive to mend/ And indure [sic] what cant [sic] be mended"
MarkingsAn inked inscription on a small label for a file folder on back of sampler mount reads:
"FROm
GRANDMA WilSTE's - House
ELIE S. KRIE[C or G]H'S - Mother
My DAD
She MaRRiED P. L. ELDER in '[2 or 5]0's"
ProvenanceSold at Skinners Auction, March 1, 2015. Per Chris Barber of Skinners, sampler was from a single item consignment by a collector that the auction house has worked with before. It was suspected that the consignor may have taken the sampler from an estate. (Telephone conversation Chris Barber with Kim Ivey, February, 2015)

History of Sampler Maker:
Eliza Davis has not been identified at this time. Several have been found in Kentucky records.