Sampler Fragment by Unknown Maker

DateCa. 1790

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 41 x 41 threads per inch (fiber identification by eye)

Dimensions10 1/8" X 10 3/4"

Credit LineGift of Janet Cook Howard

Object number1990-94

DescriptionThis is a sampler fragment worked in what was originally green, pink, brown, black, and blue silk embroidery threads on a natural-colored linen ground. There is a selvage at right side.
From the top:
Strawberry border worked in cross stitch
"A-M" upper case block, worked in eyelet stitch
Wave motif band worked in cross stitch
"N-W" "[X] - Z" upper case block, worked in eyelet stitch
Sawtooth band worked in eyelet stitch
"1-13" "[1]4", worked in eyelet stitch
Decorative band worked in eyelet stitch
The middle section of the sampler consists of figures of Adam and Eve, tree, and serpent with detached motifs such as plants, baskets of fruit, monstrances, trees, ladder, key, birds, and crowns. A decorative band worked in eyelet stitch is at the bottom of this section.
The lower third of sampler is missing. This area probably included a verse and signature line.
Stitches: cross, eyelet, reversible cross (stitches are worked in a very neat manner)
Label TextThe lower third section, which would have included a signature line and possibly a verse, is missing on this sampler. It is clear, however, that the sampler fragment is related to other identified samplers from Williamsburg, Virginia. The wave motif; Adam and Eve figures with serpent at the tree; birds; crowns; geometric band worked in eye stitch; and strawberry border are found on a dated 1791 Williamsburg sampler by Ann Pasteur Maupin. This sampler was found in Williamsburg at a local yard sale and is associated with a James City County family.
InscribedWritten on paper on back of sampler: "this belonged to the/ Hankins family of Williamsburg, VA/ Bought from Nancy Hankins Gambrill/ 11/16/85 for $5.00/ Janet Cook Howard/ 3305 Beechnut Ct./ Williamsburg, VA./"
ProvenanceOwned by Mary Savage Hankins (1844-1951);
By descent to her daughter, Harriet Parker Hankins (1884-1967), 1951;
By descent to her brother, Cyrus Hankins (1890-1974), 1967;
By descent to his wife, Ann (Nan) Makin Hankins Gambrill, 1974;
Sold to Janet Cook Howard, Williamsburg VA, November 16, 1985;
Given to CWF, 1990.

Written on paper on back of sampler: "this belonged to the/ Hankins family of Williamsburg, VA/ Bought from Nancy Hankins Gambrill/ 11/16/85 for $5.00/ Janet Cook Howard/ 3305 Beechnut Ct./ Williamsburg, VA./" Mrs. Howard purchased the sampler from Nancy Hankins Gambrill in a yard sale. Ms. Gambrill now lives at Williamsburg Landing. In an interview with Mrs. Ruth Hankins of Marl Brook, Toano, Virginia, March 23, 1990, Mrs. Hankins remembers her Aunt Mary owning a sampler. (She has a picture of Aunt Mary taken in the 1950s when Aunt Mary was over a hundred years old.) When Aunt Mary died most of her possessions went to her daughter, Harriet. When Harriet died the possessions went to Aunt Mary's son, Cyrus. We do not absolutely know that the sampler was included in these belongings, but it seems very probable since Aunt Mary, and then Harriet, were the keepers of the family records and possessions. Cyrus's second wife was Ann Makin Hankins. (Everyone called her Nan.) She was an army nurse originally from the Philadelphia area. They lived at The Colonies in Williamsburg, Virginia. They were married for about 15 years. After Cyrus's death in 1964, Nan remarried a Gambrill and they moved to Williamsburg Landing where Mr. Gambrill died before 1985. In 1985, at a yard sale Nan Hankins Gambrill sold the sampler to Janet Cook Howard.
The sampler was probably worked by a member of the Hankins family of James City County, Virginia.