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2020-85, Sampler
Sampler by Susannah Dilts
2020-85, Sampler

Sampler by Susannah Dilts

Date1840
Maker Susannah Dilts (1829-1855)
OriginAmerica, New Jersey, Hunterdon County (probably)
MediumSilk embroidery thread on a cotton or linen ground of 24 x 26 threads per inch (fiber identification by eye); wooden frame and glass
DimensionsFramed: OW 12 7/8” x OH 14 7/8” Actual (by sight): OW 9 1/2” x OH 11 1/2”
Credit LineGift of Beatrix T. Rumford
Object number2020-85
DescriptionThis is a framed, rectangular needlework sampler worked in shades of red, yellow, green, blue, and white silk embroidery threads. From the top the sampler consists of:
Band of cross stitch
“A-Q” uppercase block worked in cross stitch
Band of cross stitch
“R-Z” uppercase block worked in cross stitch, “&” worked in cross stitch, “a-I” lowercase block worked in cross stitch
Band of cross stitch
“k-z” lowercase block worked in cross stitch, “1-4” worked in cross stitch”
Band of eyelet stitch
“A-J” uppercase block worked in eyelet stitch
Band of four sided stitch
“K-S”, “U” uppercase block worked in eyelet stitch
Band of long arm cross
“T”, “V-Z.” uppercase block worked in eyelet stitch, “S.D” uppercase script worked in eyelet stitch
Band of cross stitch
“Susannah Dilts. Daughter of H & M Dilts” worked in cross stitch
“aged 11 years 1840” worked in cross stitch
“ED” worked in cross stitch
The bottom third of the sampler consists of a house with two birds perched on the chimneys flanked by two vases which contain stems sprouting with acorns and star-shaped flowers; these motifs are interspersed with isolated sprigs and shrubs.
Stitches: cross, eyelet, four sided, long arm cross

The sampler is in an old or original, brown wood frame.
Label TextSusannah Dilts probably completed this sampler as a schoolroom exercise. The house and birds stitched on the sampler resemble those found on samplers from the "pinwheel and flower border" school of needlework from Hunterdon County, New Jersey.

Susannah was born to Holcombe Dilts (1798-1877) and Mary Reed (1800-1881) on November 23, 1829. The Dilts family resided in Raritan Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, in an area known as Buchanan's Hill. In addition to farming, Mr. Dilts operated a cabinet shop. Susannah Dilts died on March 11, 1855, and is buried in Sandy Ridge, New Jersey.


Inscribed“ED”
MarkingsAn inscription on the back of the frame reads: "American sampler purchased by/ Beatrix T. Rumford from Laura Swain/ custodian of Mercer "Castle" in Doylestown,/ Pa. in 1974. The sampler is probably/ from Bucks County. Given to Rose/ Rumford by B.T.R. Christmas 1974."
ProvenanceBeatrix T. Rumford (b. 1939) purchased this sampler from Laura Swaine, the custodian of Mercer Castle in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, in 1973. She gave it to her mother, Rose Clymer Rumford (1912-1998), on December 25, 1974. In 2020, Ms. Rumford donated the sampler to Colonial Williamsburg.

History of Maker:

Susannah Dilts (1829-1855) was born to Holcombe Dilts (1798-1877) and Mary Reed (1800-1881) on November 23, 1829. She died on March 11, 1855 and is buried in Sandy Ridge, New Jersey.