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2019-117, Sampler
Sampler by Susan Mary Kausler
2019-117, Sampler

Sampler by Susan Mary Kausler

Date1829
Maker Susan Mary Kausler (1821-1893)
OriginAmerica, Maryland, Hagerstown
MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 32 x 28 threads per inch (fiber identification by eye)
DimensionsFramed: 26 7/8 × 22 1/4in. Other: 55.9 × 44.5cm (22 × 17 1/2in.)
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number2019-117
DescriptionThis is a rectangular sampler worked in shades of pink, green, cream, and black embroidery threads on a natural color linen ground. The sampler is enclosed on all sides by an outer sawtooth border, an arcaded floral vine, and an inner sawtooth border. The upper third of the sampler consists of the verse: “Jesus permit thy sacred name to stand./ As the first effort of an infant hand./ And while her fingers oer the Canvas move./ Engage her youthful heart to seek thy love./ With thy dear children may she share a part./ And write Thy name Thy self upon her heart.” A thin band of cross stitch underlines each line of verse and two floral sprigs flank the verse on either side. An arcaded floral vine separates the upper and middle sections of the sampler. The middle section of the sampler contains three large, naturalistic roses which are surrounded by leaves and buds. The roses float above a ground with two hillocks that support two baskets of flowers. Two floral bouquets rest on the ground between the two baskets. The bottom third of the sampler consists of the signature block which is set apart by an octagonal border. The signature reads: “Susan Mary Kausler./ Wrought this in the 8th year…/ of her age. July the 10th./ 1829.”
Stitches: cross over one and two, and satin
Label TextIt is likely that Susan was living in Hagerstown when she completed this sampler in 1829. Susan’s mother gave birth to another child, Joseph, in Hagerstown the same year Susan completed her sampler. The sampler also shares stylistic similarities with other samplers produced in Hagerstown, namely the arcaded floral vine.
Inscribed“Jesus permit thy sacred name to stand./ As the first effort of an infant hand./ And while her fingers oer the Canvas move./ Engage her youthful heart to seek thy love./ With thy dear children may she share a part./ And write Thy name Thy self upon her heart.”
ProvenanceColonial Williamsburg purchased this sampler from Neverbird Antiques in 2019. They in turn purchased it from an unknown source in 2000.

History of Maker:

Susan Mary Kausler was born in Hagerstown, Maryland on June 23, 1821 to Jacob Kausler (1782-1845) and Catherine Shall (1790-1874). On June 30, 1853, she married Daniel Hubbard (b. 1817) in New Orleans, Louisiana. Daniel Hubbard was a native of New York and moved to New Orleans to work as a cotton merchant. It is unclear why Susan moved to New Orleans as there is no evidence that her family relocated there. Together, Susan and Daniel had four children: George (1854-1855), Charles Dudley (b. 1856), Martha Saltonstall (1858-1859), and Eugenie (b. 1861). Susan died on June 22, 1893.