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2023-96, Sampler
Sampler by Mildred B. Chewning
2023-96, Sampler

Sampler by Mildred B. Chewning

Date1835
Maker Mildred B. Chewning
OriginAmerica, Virginia, Orange County or Spotsylvania County or Mount Airy (possibly)
MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 34 wefts by 27 warps inch (fiber identification by eye)
DimensionsOH: 17 1/8" x OW: 17 5/8"
Credit LineGift of The Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA
Object number2023-96
DescriptionThis is a square sampler worked in shades of tan, cream, green, blue, and brown on a natural linen ground. The top fourth of the sampler includes one complete uppercase block alphabet; one complete lowercase block alphabet; the numerals 1- 7; two partial uppercase block alphabets, “A-O;” and the initials “PC”, all divided by simple bands. The second fourth of the sampler consists of the signature line: “Mildred B. Chewning commenced and completed this sampler with Miss Lucy Mary/ Quisenberry at Mount Airy in the year 1835 Elizabeth C Clark[e or s] Malinda Valentine”; the verse: “Religion should our thoughts engage,/ Amidst our youthful bloom. ‘Twill fit us for declining age,/ And for the awful tomb./ More needful this, than glittering wealth, or aught the world bestows, not reputation, food, or health,/ Can give us such repose.” and the initials “CFG” and LA.” The third portion of the sampler contains a prominently positioned two-story house with seven windows, four of which are open, two chimneys, and a flowering climbing vine on the right side; four evergreen trees, one tree with two birds; flowering shrubs; two outbuildings; and a dog chained to one of the evergreen trees. The following initials appear scattered in this portion of the sampler: “”MWMM”, “AMB”, “RC”, “EAT”, “MBC”, and “MBC”. The name “Rose Vale” appears on the left. The fourth bottom section of the sampler contains the names and information: “Reuben Chewning was born May the 4th 1773. Louisa Chewning born April the 7th 1786.” Below this in four columns are the names , first column: “Albert G. Chewing”/ “James D. Chewning”/ “Robert D Chewning”/ “Francis B Chewning”; second column: “Sarah H Chewning”/ Marietta F Chewning”/ “Ann D Chewning”; third column: “Frances A Chewning”/ “George Chewning”/ Reuben T Chewnng”/ Benjamin F Chewning”/ “Mariah L Chewning”; and the fourth column: “Adaline A Chewning”/ Zebuion M Chewning”/ Reuben J Chewning”/ Nicy [sic] A Chewning”/ Elizabeth S Valentine”. The sampler is enclosed at sides and top with a small undulating vine and bud border. There is a larger undulating vine and bud border at the bottom of the sampler. At the center bottom of the sampler is the upside down initial "[?] R" with two hearts. There are selvages at the sides, and a 1/8' hem t top and bottom.
Stitches: cross over 1 and 2, chain, double cross, eyelet, straight
Label TextMildred B. Chewning's sampler belongs to a remarkable group of Piedmont Virginia samplers referred to as the "open window" samplers. The most noticeable characteristics of the embroideries are a register of family names and houses with open windows. Mildred marked her sampler with the inscription “Mildred B. Chewning commenced and completed this sampler with Miss Lucy Mary/ Quisenberry at Mount Airy in the year 1835."
Inscribed"Elizabeth C Clark[e or s]"
"Malinda Valentine”
“Religion should our thoughts engage,/ Amidst our youthful bloom. ‘Twill fit us for declining age,/ And for the awful tomb./ More needful this, than glittering wealth, or aught the world bestows, not reputation, food, or health,/ Can give us such repose.”
“CFG”, "LA”, ”MWMM”, “AMB”, “RC”, “EAT”, “MBC”, and “MBC”
“Reuben Chewning was born May the 4th 1773. Louisa Chewing born April the 7th 1786.” First column: “Albert G. Chewing”/ “James D. Chewning”/ “Robert D Chewning”/ “Francis B Chewning”
Second column: “Sarah H Chewning”/ Marietta F Chewning”/ “Ann D Chewning”
Third column: “Frances A Chewning”/ “George Chewning”/ Reuben T Chewnng”/ Benjamin F Chewning”/ “Mariah L Chewning”
Fourth column: “Adaline A Chewning”/ Zebuion M Chewning”/ Reuben J Chewning”/ Nicy [sic] A Chewning”/ Elizabeth S Valentine”
ProvenanceFormerly Valentine Museum V.86.122
According to Valentine Museum files, the sampler was found in a chest left by an unknown guest to the home of the donor's in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bendix of Henrico County, Virginia. The visitor never returned to retrieve the chest and when the chest was opened, the sampler was among the things in it. Mr. and Mrs. Bendix then gave the sampler to their son, Mr. Wilmer Lewis Bendix, on the occasion of his marriage in 1935.

History of sampler maker:
Mildred B. Chewning was the daughter of Reuben and Louisa Chewning of Louisa County, Virginia. She married Benjamin F. Bryce in Louisa, Virginia, on November 20th, 1847 ("Mildred B. Chewning" in the Virginia, U.S., Select Marriages, 1785-1940, FHL Film Number: 32910). They had one son, Clarence Archibald Bryce (1849-1928). She is buried at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.