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2016-107, Sampler
Sampler, "On Virtue" by Ellen Hackley Pollard
2016-107, Sampler

Sampler, "On Virtue" by Ellen Hackley Pollard

Date1788
Maker Ellen Hackley Pollard (1776 - 1855)
OriginAmerica, Virginia, Fredericksburg or Richmond (probably)
MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 44 x 41 threads per inch (confirmed with microscopy)
DimensionsOW 10 7/8" x OH 15 3/8"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number2016-107
DescriptionThis is a rectangular sampler worked in shades of green, gold, brown, red/pink, and cream silk embroidery threads on a natural color linen ground. The sampler has a raw edge at bottom and a hem stitched edge at top and sides. The top half of the sampler consists of the verse “On Virtue” with a wave band between title and verse and below the last line of verse. The verse reads: "Let Virtue be thy guide/ Yield to her gentle sway/ That monster fantom pride/ Avoid her devious way". The bottom portion of the sampler consists of a densely-worked country scene with trees and a cottage with a chimney and shed roof. Below the scene on the left are the initials of the maker, “EHP.” Below the scene on right is the date “1788.” The sampler is enclosed in an undulating vine and leaf border which sits atop of a soft arcaded green border with a bow at center bottom.
Stitches: chain, cross over two, eyelet, half cross, outlet, satin, straight
Label TextThis sampler was made by Ellen Hackley Pollard probably in Fredericksburg or Richmond, Virginia. A verse "On Virtue" is featured in the top half of the sampler. The subject matter is more commonly found on samplers created by schoolgirls in New England and the Middle Colonies. The densely worked country scene in the bottom half of the sampler is also uncommon for Virginia samplers at this early date.

Ellen Hackley Pollard was the daughter of Robert Pollard and Jael Underwood Pollard. In 1795, Ellen married William Howell Lewis, the son of Fielding Lewis and Elizabeth Washington Lewis, and the nephew of George Washington. Ellen and William married the year after William resigned his position as Washington's plantation manager and together they had eleven children. After Washington's death in 1799, William received 1/23 of his residual estate, including 1,531 acres on the Kanawha River in what is now Kanawha County, West Virginia. Ellen moved with William and their children to these lands in 1812. Ellen died on January 15, 1855 in Marietta, Ohio.
Inscribed"On Virtue"
"Let Virtue be thy guide/ Yield to her gentle sway/ That monster fantom pride/ Avoid her devious way"
MarkingsAn inked label on the back of the sampler reads: "A sampler [?] [torn]/ Grand Mother Lewis -/ before she was married,/ while living in Richmond/ Virgnia."
ProvenanceColonial Williamsburg purchased this sampler from Neverbird Antiques in 2016.

History of Maker:

Ellen Hackley Pollard (1776-1855) was the daughter of Robert Pollard (1756-1842) and Jael Underwood Pollard (1759-1839). In 1795, Ellen married William Howell Lewis (1771-1822), the son of Fielding Lewis (1725-1781) and Elizabeth Washington Lewis (1733-1797), and the nephew of George Washington. Ellen and William married the year after William resigned his position as Washington's plantation manager and together they had eleven children. After Washington's death in 1799, William received 1/23 of his residual estate, including 1,531 acres on the Kanawha River in what is now Kanawha County, West Virginia. Ellen moved with William and their children to these lands in 1812. Ellen died on January 15, 1855 in Marietta, Ohio.