Sampler by Emily J. Lasley

Date1827

Artist/Maker Emily J. Lasley (b. 1817)

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 25 threads x 23 threads (identification of fibers by eye)

DimensionsOH 17" x OW 22 1/2"

Credit LineGift of Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Murphy

Object number1997-92

DescriptionThis is an unfinished alphabet sampler worked in faded shades of purple, gold, black, and blue silk embroidery threads on a natural color linen darkened by age. The sampler is hemmed at top, bottom, and right side and has a selvage at left side.
The top half of the sampler consists of alphabets, numerals, and bands:
"A-Z" upper case block, "1-5" worked in cross stitch
Band of cross stitch
"a-i" "k-z" lower case block, "in the Year 1827" worked in cross stitch, and "6 7" worked in cross stitch
Band of cross stitch
"A B D C E F G H I" "K-Q" upper case block worked in double cross
Band of triple row of cross stitch
"R-Z" upper case block, "E J L" "H P L" worked in cross with a foursided stitch
Band of double cross
"A-I" "K-P" uppercase block worked in eyelet
Band of 9 rows of cross stitch
The bottom half of the sampler consists of the verse: "So frail is the youth and the beauty of men/ Tho they bloom and look gay like the rose/ For all our fond care to Preserve them is vain/ Time kills them as fast as he goes./ Then"
Below and to side of verse are names, initials, and the signature: "L M Price, EJH, MMS, "Emily J. Lasley was born May 12, 1817. Nancy W. Wilson".
Two sewing needles with thread remain in the bottom edge of the sampler.

Stitches: cross, double cross, eyelet and four-sided

InscribedWorked near top of sampler is the inscription: "in the year 1827"
"E J L" "H P L"
"So frail is the youth and the beauty of men/ Tho they bloom and look gay like the rose/ For all our fond care to Preserve them is vain/ Time kills them as fast as he goes./ Then"
Below and to side of verse are names, initials, and the signature: "L M Price" "E J H" "M M S" "Emily J. Lasley was born May 12, 1817 Nancy W. Wilson".
ProvenanceThis sampler was worked by Emily Jane Lasley (b. May 12, 1817) in 1827. Her father was John B. Lasley. Emily married John L. Morris in Louisa County, Virginia, on December 14, 1839. (Louisa County Marriage Register, 1776-1861). The sampler descended from Emily' daughter, Myrtillia S. Morris, to her daughter, Myra Williams, to her daughter Helen Louise Sadler (b. 1905, d. 1997). In 1984, Helen Louise Sadler, who married James Henry Burnley (11/4/1932), gave the sampler to her neighbor, Mrs. Theodore Murphy. Helen Louise Sadler Burnley was the great grandchild of the samplermaker, Emily Jane Lasley. In 1997, Mrs. Theodore Murphy donated the sampler to Colonial Williamsburg (provenance provided by Mrs. Theodore Murphy, 6/17/1997).