Sampler by Ann Watkinson

Date1815

Maker Ann Watkinson

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen (?) ground of 40 x 34 threads per inch (fiber identification by eye) Wooden frame and glass

DimensionsFramed: OW 23 3/8” x OH 22 3/4” Actual (by sight): OW 17 1/8” x OH 16 5/8”

Credit LineGift of Beatrix T. Rumford

Object number2020-87

DescriptionThis is a framed, large, almost square sampler worked in shades of green, blue, brown, black, and white embroidery threads. From the top the sampler consists of:
“A-I”, “K-T”, “V”, “W-Z”, uppercase block worked in cross stitch and “1-6” worked in cross stitch
Band of cross stitch
“A-I”, “K-Q”, uppercase block worked in eyelet stitch
A blue wave motif and an undulating, flowering vine separate the alphabet and numbers from the verse, which is contained within a rectangular border made from a flowering vine: “May virtue be my chiefest [sic] care – And learning/ my delight – To make the day completely fair/ And the gloomy night”. The bottom half of the sampler consists of a stylized scene with a house surrounded by trees, flowers, birds, deer, and squirrels. A shepherd and shepherdess stand at the bottom of the scene, each flanked by two dogs. The entire sampler is enclosed within an undulating, flowering vine which is in turn enclosed by two lines of cross stitch. The vine is broken at the bottom to allow for the signature line: “Ann Watkinson 1818 Aged 14”. Diamond motifs separate the year “1818” from the rest of the signature.

Stitches: cross over two, queen

The sampler is in an old, brown, wood frame with modern plexiglass.
Label TextAnn Watkinson probably completed this sampler as a schoolroom exercise. In addition to learning sewing stitches, young girls also practiced their literacy skills while working a sampler. Ann has not been identified.
Inscribed“May virtue be my chiefest [sic] care – And learning/ my delight – To make the day completely fair/ And the gloomy night”
MarkingsAn inscription on the back of the frame reads: "Purchased in Boston, Oct. 68 [?] RCR./ in frame + from Marika Antiques".
ProvenanceThis sampler was found in Deerfield, Massachusetts. Beatrix T. Rumford (b. 1939) purchased it from Marika's Antiques in Boston, Massachusetts in October 1968. Ms. Rumford donated the sampler to Colonial Williamsburg in 2020.

History of sampler maker:
Ann Watkinson has not been identified.