Sampler by Margaret A. Pritchard

Date1827

Maker Margaret A. Pritchard

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 30 x 35 threads per inch (fiber identification by eye)

DimensionsOverall: 17 1/8 × 15 5/8in. (43.5 × 39.7cm) Framed: 18 5/8 × 17 1/8in.

Credit LineGift of Margaret Beck Pritchard in Memory of Gordon Monroe Ivey III

Object number2023-301

DescriptionThis is an almost square sampler worked in faded shades of green, blue, rust/pink, cream, and brown silk embroidery threads on a natural color linen ground. The sampler consists of a center reserve bordered with a sawtooth edge. Within the reserve is a poem, two large bands of flowers, and the signature line: "In Sharon's lovely Rose, Immortal/beauties shine, Its sweet, refresh-/ing fragrance shows, Its origine [sic] divine/" Below this is a large basket of naturalistic roses and flowers followed by: "How blooming and fair? O may / my happy breast, This lovely Rose / for ever wear, and be supremely blest!/ " Below this is a large of band of naturalistic roses and flowers followed by: "Let me sing my Saviour's love, 'Til I/ join the saints above. Margaret A / Pritchard worked this in the 10th year of her age 1827." There is an inner border of undulated vine and roses with rose buds in each corner. An outer border of sawtooth worked in satin stitch is on all four sides. Stitches: cross over one and two, satin.
Label TextSamplers played an important role in the education of young girls in the early nineteenth century. In addition to reinforcing the learning of numerals and the alphabet, samplers, like this one, taught young girls needlework skills. Religious and moral verses stitched upon the samplers also conveyed the virtuous behavior expected of young women. The verse that begins "In Sharon's lovely Rose" on Margaret A. Pritchard's sampler was from a popular hymn that the nine-year-old sampler maker may have sung at church.

Margaret Pritchard's sampler shares traits with other samplers stitched in Winchester, Virginia. The sampler format with inner sawtooth borders, undulating floral vine border, and large roses are characteristics associated with this group. A school teacher responsible for the design has yet to be identified.
Inscribed"In Sharon's lovely Rose, Immortal / beauties shine, Its sweet, refresh-/ing fragrance shows, Its origine [sic] divine/"
"How blooming and fair? O may / my happy breast, This lovely Rose / for ever wear, and be supremely blest!/ "
"Let me sing my Saviour's love, 'Til I/ join the saints above."
ProvenanceBefore 2009, Baltimore area auction; Before 2009, Richmond Auxiliary Antiques Show; 2009, Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Beck (Williamsburg, VA); 2009, given to their daughter, Margaret Beck Pritchard (Williamsburg, VA); 2023-present, given to The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA).

History of sampler maker
Born in 1817, Margaret Ann Pritchard was the daughter of Howson K. and Margaret Hoff Pritchard. In 1839, she married James Boyles in Frederick County, Virginia. They had four children. Margaret died in 1849, three weeks after giving birth to twins.