Sampler by Elizabeth A. F. Cole

DateMay 20, 1826

Artist/Maker Elizabeth A. F. Cole

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 24 warps threads x 28 weft threads per inch (identification of fibers by eye)

DimensionsOH 16 1/8" x OW 17 5/8"

Credit LineFrom the estate of Mary Wrenn Cofer Ballard in honor of her daughters, Mary Wrenn Ballard Oliver and Anne Lewis Ballard Weaver by Mr. and Mrs. Leonard William Ballard, Jr.

Object number1988-471

DescriptionThis is a square needlework sampler worked in faded shades of green, blue, gold, beige, and what originally was a reddish color silk embroidery threads on a natural color linen ground. The sampler has selvages at sides and a 1 /4" hem at top and bottom.
From the top the sampler consists of:
"A-M" upper case block worked in eyelet stitch
"N-Y" upper case block worked in eyelet stitch; followed by a decorative cross stitch diamond
Decorative band worked in cross stitch
"A-N" upper case script worked in cross stitch; followed by a decorative motif
"O-Z" upper case script; "&"; followed by a decorative motif, all worked in cross stitch
Decorative vine band worked in cross stitch
"AA-W" upper case block worked in cross stitch
Decorative three-color band worked in cross stitch
"A-O" upper case block worked in satin stitch
"P-Z" upper case block worked in satin stitch; followed by a crown motif worked in satin stitch and key motif worked in cross stitch
Decorative two-color band worked in cross stitch
"a-z" lower case block; "1-5" all worked in cross stitch
Diamond shape band worked in cross stitch
The bottom third of the sampler is divided vertically. The left section consists of the verse worked in cross stitch: "Jesus permit thy gracious name to stand/ As the first efforts of an infants hand/ And while her fingers on the canvass 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 verse are undefined motifs, one of which may be a fish, all worked in cross stitch. To the right of the verse are scattered cross stitched motifs, one of which is a double heart (one above the other, point to point).
The bottom right section of the sampler consists of a rectangular area outlined in eyelet stitch. Within this area is the signature line: "Elizabeth A. F. Cole/ Aged 10 Years May/ 20th 1826/" worked in cross stitch. Also, within this area are a few undefined motifs in cross stitch.
The sampler is enclosed on all four sides with a wave motif border worked in cross stitch.

Stitches: cross (over one and two), eyelet, and satin

Label TextThe verse on this alphabet sampler, "Jesus permit thy gracious..." is the most popular verse seen on Virginia and English samplers. This verse was supposedly written by Rev. John Newton for his niece, Elizabeth Catlett.
Inscribed"Jesus permit thy gracious name to stand/ As the first efforts of an infants hand/ And while her fingers on the canvass 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/"
MarkingsA label on the back of the modern frame of the sampler indicated that the sampler had been framed by Ernest S. DeWick in Black Mountain, North Carolina.
ProvenanceMr. Ballard wrote in 1988: "We don't know much of the provenance of the Cole sampler. We bought it at an antique shop in Chelsea, MA [Massachusetts], near Fall River, owned by Mason Cleveland...Cleveland said he had gotten it at an auction sale near Hyannis, MA, [Massachusetts] but knew not where it had come from. He didn't recall the names of the people he had bought from..." Note that Mason Cleveland died in 1976.
The sampler was framed by Ernest S. DeWick in Black Mountain, North Carolina apparently prior to it being sold to the Ballards. DeWick did not recall for whom he had done the work and when.