Sampler by Elizabeth Richards

Date1764

Artist/Maker Elizabeth Richards (b. 1754)

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Stafford County (probably)

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a darkened, naturally-colored linen of 41 x 35 threads per inch (Identification of fibers by Textile Lab)

DimensionsOH: 11 1/4" x OW: 8 1/2"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1991-161

DescriptionThis is a small rectangular needlework band sampler worked in what were originally shades of brown, blue, green, yellow/gold, and pink/red on a darkened, naturally-colored linen ground. The sampler is hemmed at top and sides with a 1/8" hem and was overcast at bottom. The sampler appears to be missing its bottom third. From the top the sampler consists of:
Simple band in cross stitch
"Aa", B-I", "K-T", "V-W", block upper case in cross stitch
Band in cross stitch
"E LIS aBeTh RICHaRDS Was YZ", block in cross stitch
Simple band in cross stitch
"BORN THE FE BRU arY The 17", block in cross stitch
Simple band in eyelet stitch
"and IN The YeaR Of OUr LOrd", block in cross stitch
Decorative band in eyelet stitch
"1754 and WROUght ThIS IN The", block in cross stitch
Decorative band in double cross stitch
"E Le VeNth Year Of her age 1 2", block in cross and eyelet stitches
Band in herringbone stitch
"3-10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 ", in cross and eyelet stitches
Band in herringbone stitch
Decorative band of stylized strawberry and vine in cross stitch
Elaborate band of stylized fruit and flowers in cross and satin stitches
The bottom fourth of sampler consists of isolated motifs including birds, figure of a man and woman, crown, lion, plants, and flowers. The bottom edge consists of a band worked in herringbone and a saw tooth band in satin stitch.

Stitches: cross (V on back), double cross, four-sided (cross on front), eyelet, herringbone, and satin. Most stitches are executed in such a manner as to make a very neat reverse.
Label TextThis sampler is one of the few colonial Virginia samplers not worked in marking stitch. However, Elizabeth Richards did use other reversible stitches, such as eyelet and four-sided, to create a neat reverse.
MarkingsPenciled on cardboard on the back of the sampler was the name "Mrs. Daniel Triplett".
ProvenanceColonial Williamsburg acquired this sampler in 1991 from Kenneth C. Thomson. Kenneth obtained the sampler from a member of his family who had in turn acquired it from Mrs. Garard, a woman who was born in Ohio with family in Kentucky and Tennessee. Penciled on cardboard on the back of the sampler was the name "Mrs. Daniel Triplett".