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1985-228, Pincushion
Pillow, laundry inventory
1985-228, Pincushion

Pillow, laundry inventory

Date1824 (dated)
Maker Jane Jamson
OriginScotland, Aberdeen
MediumSilk embroidery threads on a worsted ground or 44 x 44 threads per inch
DimensionsOL: 7 1/2"; OW: 6 1/4"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1985-228
DescriptionThis is a rectangular pillow of natural color worsted ground worked in green and gold silk marking stitches. It lists household textiles and clothing and the numbers 1 through 12 for counting. Selvage is at one side of the pillow with a whipped stitched hem at top and bottom. There are blue threads in the selvage. Stuffing material is undetermined.
Items listed side one: "P Hand fs, P Stockgs, N Caps, Gloves, Shifts, Petticoats, Gowns, N. Gowns, Frills, Spencers, Caps, Frocks, Tippits, N. HAndfs, Aprons, C. Bag".
Other side: " Pr Sheets, prs P Slips, Towels, NApkins, T Cloths, B Covers, P Blankets, Counterpanes, Shirts, N. Shirts, N Cloths, Vests, Drawers, Collars and S Handfs." It is signed "Jane Jamson Aberdeen."

Stitches: cross and half cross
Label TextThis inventory pillow worked in silk threads on a fine worsted ground was used to track various household and personal textiles probably as they were sent back and forth to the laundry. A straight pin was used to mark the appropriate number of pieces.

Stitched in Time:
An 1814 Washington, D.C. news article "strongly urge[d] the necessity of pincushions," offering three reasons: pecuniary interest, maternal affection, and personal safety. The author also cited the financial cost of lots pins. "It is a demonstrable fact, [that] there are more pins lost in a week than a lady with a pincushion would use in a month!"

The owner of this pincushion likely tracked laundry by placing a straight pin into one of the numerals to mark the number of linens sent out to be cleaned.
InscribedSee description.
MarkingsSee description.
Provenance1824, made by Jane Jamson; Cora Ginsburg, Inc. (New York, NY); 1985-present, purchased by The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA).