Sampler by Elizabeth M. Cofer

Date1834

Artist/Maker Elizabeth M. Cofer (b. July 10, 1818)

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Isle of Wight County or Surry County

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 28 weft x 29 warp threads per inch with paper lining and orginal wooden frame and glass (fiber identification by eye)

DimensionsFramed: OH 26 3/8" x OW 23 1/4" Unframed: OH 20 7/8" x OW 17 1/2"

Credit LineGift from the estate of Mrs. Mary Wrenn Cofer Ballard in honor of her daughters, Mary Wrenn Ballard Oliver and Anne Lewis Ballard Weaver

Object number1988-461,A

DescriptionThis is an almost square needlework sampler (on its original back board and in its original frame) worked in shades of blue, green, yellow/gold, and ivory on a natural colored linen ground. The top section of the sampler consists of:
"A-T" upper case block worked in cross stitch
Decorative band worked in double cross stitch
"U-Z" upper case block followed by the initials "RC X CJ X SC X IC X JLC X MC" (which probably refer to Elizabeth's siblings respectively: Rebeccah Cofer, ?, Susanna Cofer, Isaac Cofer, James Lancaster Cofer, and Mathew Cofer)
Below this is a 3 1/2 story house with 3 bays, hip roof, and interior chimneys. Seven of the 10 windows are open halfway with a plant in the third floor middle window. Covering the central entrance of the house is what appears to be a 2-story porch with a plant flanking each side of the entrance. To either side of the house are gates and a fence. Flanking the house are 2 tall, narrow trees. Above the house and centered between the 2 chimneys is the inscription, "Arcade No. 3." (After much research this building has not been identified nor has an "Arcade No. 3" been located). On the far left side of the left chimney are the family initials, "J.C." and to the far right side of the right chimney are the family initials, "M.C." (These initials probably refer to Elizabeth Cofer's father, Joseph Cofer, and her stepmother, Martha Delk Cofer.)
Below the structure is the verse, "Jesus permit thy gracious name to stand, As the first efforts of an infant ha(n)d, And while her fingers over this canvas move, Engage her tender heart to seek thy love. With thy dear children let her share a part, And write thy name thy self upon her heart."
Below the structure on either side of the verse are 4 separate horizontal lines of initials: "WLC" for William L Cofer; "MCC" for Martha C. Cofer; "JCV" for ?; "CTC" for Charity Taylor Cofer; "JOC" for Josiah Cofer; "NWJ" for ?; "UAD" for Unity A Delk; "WTS" for ?.
The bottom section of the sampler consists of the stitched in black memorial to Elizabeth's mother, "Jerusha Cofer X Died Oct. 1st 1823 Sept/6" and the signature line, "Elizabeth M. Cofer Finished Her Sampler/ 1834."
The sampler is enclosed on all 4 sides with a vine and fruit border.

Stitches: chain, cross, double cross, eyelet, four-sided, off-set Irish worked over 6 and back 2, and outline
Label TextIn 1834, Elizabeth M. Cofer worked her large and impressive sampler as a memorial to her deceased mother who had died eleven years earlier on October 1, 1823. Elizabeth, just five when her mother died, was the youngest of ten children born to Joseph Cofer, a Baptist minister from Isle of Wight and Surry Counties, Virginia, and his first wife, Jerusha Cofer. Included on her sampler are sets of initials identified as siblings and other family members. The most prominent initials, J.C. and M.C., which flank the chimneys, represent her father, Joseph Cofer, and her stepmother, Martha Delk Cofer. Interestingly, Elizabeth's stepsisters, Unity A. and Martha Delk worked almost identical samplers commemorating the death of their father.

Elizabeth's finished sampler is worked in silk threads on a linen ground of 28 x 29 threads per inch and measures 17 1/2" x 20 7/8". She used typical sampler stitches such as cross, double cross, eyelet, and four-sided except in the trees. Here she used a counted chain stitch that gives the trees a very different appearance.

The sampler descended in the family where it was lovingly hung on a wall in its original frame for all to see and admire. Over the years the silk embroidery threads faded and today where there was once pink or red, we see only cream.
Inscribed"RC X CJ X SC X IC X JLC X MC"
"Arcade No. 3"
"J.C."
"M.C."
"Jesus permit thy gracious name to stand, As the first efforts of an infant ha(n)d, And while her fingers over this canvas move, Engage her tender heart to seek thy love. With thy dear children let her share a part, And write thy name thy self upon her heart."
"WLC" for William L Cofer; "MCC" for Martha C. Cofer; "JCV" for ?; "CTC" for Charity Taylor Cofer; "JOC" for Josiah Cofer; "NWJ" for ?; "UAD" for Unity A. Delk; "WTS" for ?
"Jerusha Cofer X Died Oct. 1st 1823 Sept/6"
ProvenanceThe sampler descended in the family to Mary Wrenn Cofer Ballard and was given to Colonial Williamsburg by her husband Mr. L. W. Ballard.
History of sampler maker:
Elizabeth Cofer was the tenth child of Joseph and Jerusha Cofer (m. September 15, 1799). The Cofer family resided in Isle of Wight County and Joseph is believed to have been a country farmer by profession, as well as, a preacher of the Baptist faith. Elizabeth's mother, Jerusha, died on October 1, 1823, leaving behind 10 children ranging in age from Rebecca, the eldest at 23, to Elizabeth, the youngest at 5 years old. The following year on September 7, 1824, Elizabeth's father married Patsy Wrenn Delk, the widow of Wiley J. Delk. Patsy Delk brought with her to this marriage at least 2 children from her previous marriage, Martha Wrenn Delk (b. 1817) and Unity A. Delk (both of whom worked very similar samplers). Together Joseph and Patsy had 3 additional children. On March 14, 1836, Elizabeth at age 18 married Wiley F. Savidge and 2 years later on January 6, 1838 she married a second time to Whitfield W. Holleman. They had at least one child, Nancy Holleman, who later married Reverend William E. Allen.