Sampler by Sarah Salter

Date1779 (dated)

Artist/Maker Sarah Salter (1767-1816)

OriginAmerica, Massachusetts, Essex County, Marblehead

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 31 x 39 threads per inch

Dimensions17 1/2" X 18"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1961-47

DescriptionThis is a needlework sampler with alphabets above, and a scene of trees, birds and farm animals below. It is executed in silk embroidery threads on a tabby-woven and natural color linen ground of 31 x 39 threads per inch. The sampler begins with four alphabets. The first alphabet contains both "U" and "V", and goes only to "W"; worked in eyelet stitch. The second has neither "U" nor "J" and goes only to "X". The third alphabet is almost completely illegible. The fourth is a complete alphabet lacking only the "J" and "U". "Z" is followed by what appears to be an ampersand. Beneath the alphabets is the inscription "Sarah Salter Born July 7th 1767 age 12 years." followed by the verse: "Swift as the sun revolve the day we hasten to the dead, Slaves to the wind we puff away and to the ground we tread."
The lower scene is composed of 3 sheep (one black one), a dog, ducks, and a cow grazing beneath 3 fruiting or flowering trees in which there are birds and butterflies. The most prominent figure is a cow eating daisies. Colors (now faded): blue-green, yellow green, brown, rust, peach, blue, black, white and yellow.

Stitches: cross, double running, eyelet, flat, outline, satin, tent
Label TextAfter practicing the alphabet four different ways, Sarah Salter (1767-1816) added her name and a pious verse to her sampler. Sarah's whimsical cow munching on daisies in the pastoral scene in the lower portion of the sampler clearly illustrates the originality and individualism seen in American needlework during this period.
In 1785, Sarah married Samuel Swett in Marblehead, Essex County, Massachusetts. The couple had seven sons born to them between the years 1786 and 1804. The sampler descended to Sarah's granddaughter, Ruth Swett (b. 1821), who owned the sampler until her death in 1912.
InscribedBeneath the alphabets is the inscription "Sarah Salter Born July 7th 1767 age 12 years." followed by the verse: "Swift as the sun revolve the day we hasten to the dead, Slaves to the wind we puff away and to the ground we tread."

The paper covered pine board with which the frame was backed is inscribed in ink "This Sampler made by/ Sarah Salter in 1779 12 years old. Sarah Salter born 1767/married to ____ Swett/ Their son was Frank Swett. His daughter Ruth Swett (born 1821, died 1912)/ owned the Sampler until her death./ H. Kent Day bought the Sampler in Marblehead, Mass."
ProvenanceThe paper covered pine board with which the frame was backed is inscribed in ink "This Sampler made by/ Sarah Salter in 1779 12 years old. Sarah Salter born 1767/married to ____ Swett/ Their son was Frank Swett. His daughter Ruth Swett (born 1821, died 1912)/ owned the Sampler until her death./ H. Kent Day bought the Sampler in Marblehead, Mass." The sampler was acquired by CWF from Ginsburg and Levy, Inc. in 1961.

History of maker:
In 1767 Sarah Salter was born to Francis and Sarah Vickery Salter of Marblehead, Essex County, Massachusetts. On September 15, 1785 Sarah married Samuel Swett (1758-1820) of Marblehead. They had seven sons born to them between the years 1786 and 1804. Sarah died on October 27, 1816 in Marblehead. (Ancestry.com)