Skip to main content
Advanced Search
DS1991-0760
Sampler by Eliza Kitching
DS1991-0760

Sampler by Eliza Kitching

Date1829 (dated)
Artist/Maker Eliza Kitching
OriginAmerica, Virginia, Southampton County, Bethlehem Crossroads
MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 25 x 21 threads per inch (fiber identification by eye)
DimensionsOH 16 1/2" x OW 17 1/2"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1991-149,A
DescriptionThis is an almost square needlework sampler worked in shades of blue, green, black, ivory, rust/red, brown, and tan on a natural-colored linen ground fabric. The sampler is hemmed at bottom.
The top half of sampler consists of:
"A-I", "K-N", upper case script worked in cross stitch
"O-Z", upper case script worked in cross stitch
Decorative sawtooth band worked in Irish stitch
"A-K", "M", upper case block worked in double cross stitch
"N", "L-X", upper case block worked in double cross stitch
Decorative band worked in outline and queen stitches
"a-z", lower case block, "1-2", worked in cross stitch
Strawberry and vine band worked in cross stitch
The left lower section of the sampler consists of a four-line verse worked over a zigzag band of eyelet stitch: "Exalt thy hopes from this base earth/ This waste of worlbly [sic] care/ And wed thy faith to yon bright sky/ For happiness dwells there". Below this is the signature line, "Eliza Kitching Bethlehem 1829".
The right, lower section of sampler consists of an elaborate house with cupola-topped domed roof, columns, arched doorways and windows surrounded by trees, foliage, picket fence, and lawn.
The sampler is enclosed on all four sides in an undulating vine border issuing inwardly-facing strawberries.
Ground fabric: 25 x 21 threads per inch
Stitches: cross, double cross, eyelet, Irish, queen, outline, and tent

Label TextThe verse in this sampler is an imperfect transcription of Letitia Elizabeth Landon's "Stanzas on the New Year". The original poem reads: "But lift thine hopes from this base earth,/ This waste of worldly care,/ And wed thy faith to yon bright sky,/ For Happiness dwells there!"
Eliza was born March 3, 1816, daughter of John and Sarah Holms Kitching of Southampton County, Virginia. She died of "apoplexy" November 6, 1893 in Warwick, Orange County, New York (where the sampler was found) and is buried in the Warwick Cemetery. She married, circa 1863, Benjamin Taylor (b. December 25, 1802, d. October 29, 1882) of Warwick and was his second wife. There are no known descendants.
Inscribed"Exalt thy hopes from this base earth/ This waste of worlbly [sic] care/ And wed thy faith to yon bright sky/ For happiness dwells there".
ProvenanceMs. Bea Cohen

History of Maker:
Eliza was born March 3, 1816, daughter of John and Sarah Holms Kitching of Southampton Country, Virginia. She died of "apoplexy" November 6, 1883 in Warwick, Orange County, New York (where the sampler was found) and is buried in the Warwick Cemetery. She married, circa 1863, Benjamin Taylor (b. December 25, 1802, d. October 29, 1882) of Warwick and was his second wife. No known descendants. (per letter dated 2/13/91 to Kimberly Funke from Bea Cohen)