Images(2)

Sampler by Mary A. D. Craddock

DateDecember 13, 1813 (dated)

Artist/Maker Mary A.D. Craddock

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Norfolk or Richmond

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a natural-color linen ground of 26 warps by 24 wefts per inch (fiber identification by eye) The threads that make up the porch and handrails are possibly linen.

DimensionsOW 16 1/4" x OH 21 1/2"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1995-85

DescriptionThis is a rectangular needlework sampler worked in shades of blue, green, brown, ivory, peach, black, orange, and rust silk embroidery threads on a natural-color linen ground. The sampler has 3/16" hems at sides and selvages at top and bottom. The top border consists of cross stitch diamonds with a cross stitch zigzag border at sides. From the top:
"A-U", uppercase block worked in cross stitch
Cross stitch band
"V-Z", uppercase block worked in cross stitch followed by an 8 1/4" area of Irish stitch
Cross stitch band
"A-I", "K-L", uppercase block worked in double cross stitch
"M, M, N, N-T", uppercase block worked in eyelet stitch
"U-Z", uppercase block, crown motif, and "W C", worked in eyelet stitch
Four-sided (cross on back) band
"A-U", uppercase block worked in four-sided stitch (cross on back)
"V-Z", uppercase block stitch; 1-11"; "R ? C", worked in four-sided stitch (cross on back)
Band
"A-I" "K-N", uppercase script, worked in cross stitch
"O-Y", uppercase script worked in cross stitch
Triple row of queen stitch band
"Z", uppercase script worked in cross stitch
"a-ss-x", lowercase block, worked in cross stitch
The bottom third of the sampler consists of the verse, "O! that I may from sin depart/ A wise and understanding heart/ Jesus to me be, given/ O let me thro' thy spirit know/ To glorify my god below/ And find my way to heaven." Below verse is a fruit tree and figures of a man and woman. To the right of the verse is a two-story house with three chimneys, full cellar, and front porch with steps. The porch and handrails to the steps appear to be worked in linen threads over a cording. To the right of the house is a tree.
Below the house is the signature line, "Mary A.D. Craddock was born Nov. 3d/ 1802. finished this December 13th 1812..."
At the bottom of sampler is a zigzag border in satin stitch.

Stitches: cross, double cross, eyelet, four-sided (cross on back), half cross, herringbone, Irish, queen, and satin
Label TextMary A.D. Craddock worked an area of Irish stitch in the top right corner of her sampler. The format and actual size of Mary's sampler plus an identical uppercase script alphabet also help associate her sampler with a group of samplers from the southside of the James River. The figures of a man and woman in the left bottom corner are rarely seen on Virginia needlework, however. Mary also worked a realistic house with raised details on the porch and handrail. Mary is probably the Mary Ann D. Craddock of Richmond who married Thomas T. Dickenson in 1821. Where this sampler was worked and its exact relationship to the group are yet to be determined.
Inscribed"O! that I may from sin depart/ A wise and understanding heart/ Jesus to me be, given/ O let me thro' thy spirit know/ To glorify my god below/ And find my way to heaven."
ProvenanceThe sampler was purchased from a Richmond antiques dealer in 1995. No further provenance is known.

History of Sampler Maker:
Mary A. D. Craddock is possibly the Miss Mary Ann D. Craddock who married T.T. Dickenson on Feb. 10, 1821. Both were listed as from the city of Richmond. Miss Mary Ann D. Craddock's parents were probably John and Betsey Jackson Depriest who were married in Henrico County in 1793.