Sampler by Martha Barrick

Date1807

Maker Martha Barrick

MediumEmbroidery threads on a wool ground of 44 x 50 threads per inch (fiber identification by eye) Wooden frame and glass

DimensionsFramed: OW 14” x 17” Actual (by sight): OW 13” x 16”

Credit LineGift of Beatrix T. Rumford

Object number2020-82

DescriptionThis is a framed, rectangular needlework sampler worked in shades in of pink, yellow, green, blue, natural, and brown embroidery threads on a wool ground The top two thirds of the sampler consist of a verse flanked on either side by bees, trees, a flowering shrub, and flowers in a vase. The verse reads: “A HYMN/ GRACIOUS Spirit. Dove divine/ Let Thy light within me shine/ All my guilty fears remove/ Fill me full of heav’n and love/ Speak Thy pard’ning grace to me/ Set the burthen’d sinner free/ Lead me to the Lamb of GoD/ Wash me in His precious blood/ Life and peace to me impart/ Seal salvation on my heart/ Breathe Thyself into my breast/ Earnest of immortal rest/ Let me never from Thee Stray/ Keep me in the narrow way/ Fill my soul with joy divine/ Keep me Lord for ever Thine”. The bottom third of the sampler consists of a brown ground which supports a basket of flowers flanked by two baskets with pineapples, which are in turn flanked by two evergreen trees with birds. Above these are more isolated motifs including a crown, two trees, a camel, and a leopard. On either side of the ground is a small dog and squirrel. The sampler is bordered by an undulating, flowering vine. Below this border is the signature line: “Martha Barrick Aged 9 Years 1807”.
Stitches: back, cross

The sampler is in a modern, black frame.
Label TextPious texts and religious verses were an integral part of many samplers. The hymn that Martha Barrick stitched on her sampler was first published in July 1777 by John Stocker in the Gospel Magazine.
Inscribed“A HYMN/ GRACIOUS Spirit. Dove divine/ Let Thy light within me shine/ All my guilty fears remove/ Fill me full of heav’n and love/ Speak Thy pard’ning grace to me/ Set the burthen’d sinner free/ Lead me to the Lamb of GoD/ Wash me in His precious blood/ Life and peace to me impart/ Seal salvation on my heart/ Breathe Thyself into my breast/ Earnest of immortal rest/ Let me never from Thee Stray/ Keep me in the narrow way/ Fill my soul with joy divine/ Keep me Lord for ever Thine”
MarkingsInscription on back of frame reads: "Julia W. Littleton/ to/ Elsie B. Clymer/ to/ Rose Clymer Rumford 1970".
ProvenanceThe first recorded owner of this sampler was Julia Waters Littleton (1874-1961). Julia gave the sampler to her friend, Elsie B. Clymer (1882-1970), who then gave it to her daughter, Rose Clymer Rumford (1912-1998) in 1970. Rose then gave the sampler to her daughter, Beatrix T. Rumford (b. 1939) in 1985. Ms. Rumford donated the sampler to Colonial Williamsburg in 2020.

History of sampler maker:
Martha Barrick has not been identified.