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1986-126,A, Sampler
Sampler, Family Record by Martha Ann Waring
1986-126,A, Sampler

Sampler, Family Record by Martha Ann Waring

Date1823-1825
Artist/Maker Martha Ann Waring (1812-1881) (1812-1881)
OriginAmerica, Virginia, Essex County, Tappahannock
MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 27 warps by 29 wefts per inch with cotton hem thread
DimensionsOW: 17 7/16" OL: 16 15/16"
Credit LineGift of Mrs. John Lewis David
Object number1986-126,A
DescriptionThis is an almost square needlework sampler worked in faded shades of blue, green, yellow, and pink silk embellishment threads on a natural color linen ground. The sampler is hemmed with a 1/4" hem at top and bottom and selvages at sides. The sampler consists of a square central area enclosed by a cross-stitch border. The central field is divided into three reserves. The upper reserve is divided into 2 sections by a line of decorative stitches and consists of a poem to Mrs. Elizabeth Waring who died in 1814, as well as a family record including the marriage of William L. Waring and Mary Banks in 1814: "Departed this life on the 2d of April 1814/ In the 21st year of her age/ Mrs. Elizabeth Waring/ Let sorrow for her early doom/ No more in silence sigh/ For hope which points be yond the tomb/ Bids every tear be dry." Below this inscription "Mary Elliot Tompkins X LRT CT". To the right: "William L. Waring (&)/ Mary Banks were ma/rried No the 10 1814.../ Martha Ann Waring/ Catherine E. Waring/ Robert F. Waring.../ William L. Waring/ Richard H. Waring."
The middle reserve consists of 2 decorative bands and the verses: "Religion should our thoughts engage/ Amidst our youthful bloom/ Twill fit us for declining age/ And for the silent tomb" and "When we devote our youth to god/ Tis pleasing in his eyes/ A flower that's offer'd in the/ bud/ Is no vain sacrifice."
The bottom reserve consists of a central house on a hillock flanked by trees with birds, bushes, and an unknown animal (possibly deer or dog). Central field is enclosed on all 4 sides by a zigzag flower and vine border. At the top and bottom of this border is a band of queen stitch and to both sides a band of cross stitch. All appear to be more practice areas than decorative.

Stitches: cross, hem, marking cross, queen
Label TextMartha Ann Waring appears in a list of Tappahannock Female Seminary students as student number 85. It is very probable that Martha worked her sampler at the school. The upper portion of the sampler consists of a poem dedicated to Mrs. Elizabeth Waring, Martha's mother, who died in 1814, and a family record that lists the second marriage of Martha's father that same year.
Inscribed"Departed this life on the 2d of April 1814/ In the 21st year of her age/ Mrs. Elizabeth Waring/ Let sorrow for her early doom/ No more [sic] in silence sigh/ For hope which points beyond the tomb/ Bids every tear be dry."

"Mary Elliot Tompkins X LRT CT"

"William L. Waring/ Mary Banks were ma/rried No the 10 1814/ Martha Ann Waring/ Catherine E. Waring/ Robert F. Waring/ William L. Waring/ Richard H. Waring"

"Religion should our thoughts engage/ Amidst our youthful bloom/ Twill fit us for declining age/ And for the silent tomb"

"When we devote our youth to god [sic]/ Tis pleasing in his eyes/ A flower that's offer'd in the/ bud/ Is no vain sacrifice."
ProvenanceThe sampler, along with a brooch (G1986-127) with a daguerreotype image of Martha Waring, descended in Martha's family of Essex County, Virginia. The donor, Mrs. David, is the grandchild of Martha's grandchild, Elizabeth Lowry Smith, who was raised by Martha when her mother, Elizabeth Lowry Wright Smith died.

History of maker:
Martha Ann Waring (b. 1812) was one of 2 children born to William Lowry Waring and Elizabeth Chilton Hudnell. In 1814, her mother died and her father married Mary Banks and had 5 more children. Martha married Robert Wright of "Popular Grove" on Dec. 11, 1828. They had 4 children. She died Sept. 20th, 1881.