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Sampler 1978-91
Sampler by Susan Riddick
Sampler 1978-91

Sampler by Susan Riddick

DateJanuary 31, 1806 (dated)
Artist/Maker Susan Riddick (b. October 6, 1791, d. October 19, 1862)
OriginAmerica, Virginia, Suffolk
MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 27 weft X 23 warp threads per inch
DimensionsH: 25"; W: 16 1/2"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1978-91
DescriptionThis is an unfinished rectangular sampler worked in shades of blue, rust, brown, black, and cream silk embroidery threads on a natural color linen ground. The sampler is hemmed on all four sides with hemstitch.

From the top the sampler consists of a large saw tooth decorative band of an Irish stitch variation. Below this are seven sets of upper and lower case alphabets divided by decorative bands. One alphabet is in script followed by decorative motifs of two hearts and a diamond. The signature line two thirds down the sampler reads, "Susan Riddick Daughter of Robert M. Riddick and Elizabeth his/ [w]ife was born [O]ctober the 6 1791. Suffolk, January the 31 1806." The bottom portion of the sampler is unfinished consisting of a centered two-story house with two chimneys. Worked within the house are the sets of initials "SP" and "MSP Suffolk." At left bottom edge is a string of Queen's stitch.

Stitches: Cross, double cross, eyelet, hem, Irish variation, marking cross, and queen

Label TextSusan Riddick's predominate use of reversible stitches created an extremely neat reverse of her sampler. The band at the top is in a variation of the Irish stitch. Four years after completing her sampler, Susan married Joseph Prentis II, and they made their home in Suffolk. The initials "SP" and "MSP" worked within the outlines of the house may have been added by Susan after her marriage or by a daughter, as they appear to be by a different hand. Susan's sampler remained in the Prentis family until 1978, when Colonial Williamsburg accessioned it as the first Virginia sampler in the Foundation's collection.


Inscribed"Susan Riddick Daughter of Robert M. Riddick and Elizabeth his/ [w]ife was born [O]ctober the 6 1791. Suffolk, January the 31 1806"
"SP"
"MSP/ Suffolk"
ProvenanceSusan Riddick (born October 6, 1791 and died October 19, 1862) was the daughter of Robert M. Riddick and Elizabeth Riddick Carr Riddick, who married 1787. Susan married Joseph Prentis II in 1810; they made their home in Suffolk. Susan's sampler remained in the Prentis family until 1978, when Colonial Williamsburg accessioned it as the first Virginia sampler in the Foundation's collection.