Sampler by Louisiana Shrader

Date1825 (dated)

Maker Louisiana Shrader (b. 1812)

MediumSilk and crinkled silk embroidery threads on linen ground of 52 x 52 threads per inch (fiber identification by Textile Lab)

DimensionsOH: 22: x OW: 18 1/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2002-21

DescriptionThis is a large rectangular needlework sampler worked on a sheer plain-weave natural color linen ground in silk embroidery threads in shades of black, brown, tan, green, peach, and cream. All four outer edges of the ground fabric are folded to the reverse and hemmed in position. Previous tack holes are along all four outer edges.
Embroidered on the sides and top is a large realistically-worked meandering floral vine, leaf, grape, and bud border that extends upwards from two stylized fruit baskets in the lower corners.
Worked within the floral border in center portion of sampler are alphabets, numerals, small dividing bands, signature line, and verse:
"A-Z" uppercase block; "1-6" worked in cross stitch
Band of cross stitch
"A-R" uppercase block, worked in double cross stitch
Band of double cross stitch
"A-R" uppercase block, worked in flat stitch
Band of flat stitch
"A-R" uppercase block, worked in eyelet stitch
Band of eyelet stitch
"A-R" uppercase block worked in four-sided stitch
Band of four-sided stitch
"A-R' uppercase block worked in satin stitch
Band of satin stitch
"A-Z" uppercase block; "1-6 8-12", worked in satin stitch
Band of satin stitch
Band of undulating strawberry vine
"A-I' "K-U" uppercase script, worked in cross stitch
"V-X [?] Z" uppercase script; "&" "1-19", worked in cross stitch
"a-z" lowercase block; "&" "1-11 1", worked in cross stitch
Band of undulating leaf and bud vine
Signature line: "Louisiana the daughter of John and Rachel Shrader was/ Born January the 17 1812 and Worked This Sampler in/ The year one Thousand eighthundred and twenty five."
"HYMN"
"How vain are all things here below/ How false and yet how fair/ Each pleasure has its poison too/ And every sweet its snare."
In the center at bottom of sampler is a large, embroidered building with twenty windows, six doors, and two chimneys. A third chimney has been drawn on the surface of the ground fabric but never stitched. Extending from the side corners of the building are brick walls with a tree at each end. Three rows of green cross stitches under the fruit baskets, brick walls, and building tie the lower edge together and appear visually like grass.

Stitches: bullion knot, cross over one and two, double cross, flat (also known as Roumanian and New England laid) four-sided, eyelet, satin, seed, stem

Label TextThe skillfully worked designs and beauty of this sampler suggest a level of sophistication one would expect from an experienced stitcher working under the careful supervision of a professional instructress. Louisiana's sampler is closely related to a sampler worked by Eleanor Reeve in 1828. The families of both girls had strong ties to Kentucky, which suggests that their samplers were worked at a yet to be identified Kentucky school.

The daughter of John and Rachel Shrader, Louisiana Shrader was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on January 17, 1812. On July 15, 1828, Louisiana married Cullen Melone in Shelby, Kentucky.
Inscribed"HYMN
How vain are all things here below/ How false and yet how fair/ Each pleasure has its poison too/ And every sweet its snare."
MarkingsIn pencil on brown paper on back of sampler and now in object file:
"Property of the Marquise de Surian/ anniversary present/ 30 July 1966."

ProvenanceThe sampler was purchased from the Sloan's Americana Auction on March 9, 2002, and sold to CWF by Stephen and Carol Huber.
In pencil on brown paper on back of sampler (and now in object file) was the inscription:
"Property of the Marquise de Surian/ anniversary present/ 30 July 1966." Claude-Joachim de Surian de Bras (Marquis de Surian) was the daughter of Gustave de Surian de Bras and Winifred Woodward. In 1942, the Marquis de Surian married Compte Oliver d'Ormesson.

History of Sampler Maker:
The daughter of John Shrader and Rachel Ross Shrader, Louisiana Shrader was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on January 17, 1812. John Shrader (b. abt. 1785) was born in Kentucky, but his father Jacob Shrader, Sr. had been born in Pennsylvania and moved to Jefferson County, Kentucky, by about 1784. John Shrader was a colonel, possibly in the War of 1812. In 1815, he was appointed Justice of the Peace in the New Madrid District, Territory of Missouri. Louisiana married Cullen Melone (1805-1853) on July 15, 1828 at the age of sixteen. According to written family records they were married at the home of her father, Col. John Shrader, in Jefferson County. At the age of seventeen, Louisiana gave birth to her first child, Elmira T. Melone (1829-1903) and a succession of four more quickly followed, all born in Shelby, Kentucky: Rachel Melone (1831-1920); Drury Melone (1833-1903); John Shrader Melone (1835-1864); and Frances Marie ("Fannie") Melone (1838-1922). Her sixth child, Stephen Shrader Melone (1843-1857), was born on February 22, 1843, also in Shelby, Kentucky. Louisiana died in Liberty, Clay County, Missouri, one month after the birth of her last child on April 27, 1843.