Sampler by Elizabeth Thurmon

Date1825

Maker Elizabeth Thurmon (Thurman) (ca. 1817-1841)

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 25 weft x 24 warp threads per inch (identification of fibers by binocular microscope)

DimensionsOW: 16" OH: 20"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2002-46

DescriptionThis is a rectangular needlework sampler worked in faded shades of blue, green, gold, orange/gold, brown, tan, ivory, and pink (now faded to ivory) silk threads on a natural-color linen ground of 25 weft by 24 warp threads per inch. The sampler is decoratively hemmed at sides with a 1/4" hem and has selvedges at top and bottom. The top two thirds of the sampler consist of:
"A-M" upper case block worked in eyelet stitch
"N-X" upper case block worked in double cross stitch
"Y Z" upper case block worked in double cross stitch, followed by a crown and large cross designs worked in double cross, diamond worked in queen, and smaller motifs worked in cross stitches
Decorative band worked in cross stitch
"AABCCEDDEEFGHIIIKLMMNNOO" upper case block worked in cross stitch
"PPQQRRSSTTUUVVWWWWXY" upper case block worked in cross stitch
"YZ" upper case block, crown motif, and "a-i k-s[long s]s-z" lower case block, cross motif, all worked in cross stitch; above upper and lower case alphabets are similar to alphabets in Anthony Benezette’s 6th edition of "The Pennsylvania Spelling-Book"
"A-Y" upper case block worked in four-sided reversing to cross, outlined in four-sided reversing to cross
"A-I K-Z." upper case block worked in cross stitch over one, followed by a group of ligatures and a cross motif worked in cross stitch over one
[ab] "c-z" lower case block worked in cross stitch over one, "a-i" "k-t [uvx] xz" lower case block worked in cross stitch over one
Decorative bud vine worked in tent or half cross stitch (both directions)
"A-I" "K-O" upper case script worked in cross stitch
Decorative bud vine worked in tent or half cross (both directions)
"P-Z" upper case script worked in cross "1-7" worked in cross stitch
The bottom third of the sampler consists of the inscription: "R. Thurmon.", double heart motif, "S. Thurmon." "RHT. SHT." worked in parallel horizontal stitches and "Elizabeth A Thurmon. wrought this Sampler at Lynchburg in the 9th/ year of her age. A D. 1825." worked in half cross or tent (both directions).
The left bottom section of the sampler consists of a two-story house with two chimneys, five front windows, four side windows, and a gated fence. The center bottom section of the sampler consists of a double birdcage with a pair of birds, double heart motif, small diamond motif, large flower in vase, and a 3 3/4" x 2 3/4" area of Irish stitch.
The right bottom section of sampler consists of a three story house with one chimney and three visible windows, tree, bird, small diamond motif, and a stylized potted plant motif.
The sampler is enclosed at top and sides in a Greek key and Greek key variation design. The left edge of the sampler is hemstitched in a sawtooth pattern. The right edge of the sampler is finished in a drawn and wrapped technique.

Sampler stitches: cross over one and two threads, double cross, drawn and wrapped, four-sided reversing to cross, eyelet, half cross or tent worked in both right and left diagonals, hem, Irish, queen, and an unnamed stitch consisting of pairs of parallel horizontal stitches worked over two threads
Label TextElizabeth Thurmon's sampler is one of a group of samplers worked in Lynchburg, Virginia and later in Tennessee and possibly Indiana and Kentucky. The same building, the double birdcage, large stylized flower in pot with inverted S handles, and decorative block motifs are found on samplers forming this interstate group.
Inscribed"R. Thurmon. S. Thurmon. R.H.T. S.H.T."
ProvenanceNo known provenance other the vendor.

History of Sampler Maker:
Several generations of the Thurmon family, (this surname is variably spelled in historical records Thurman or Thurmond), lived in the Lynchburg area throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. An Elizabeth A. Thurmon, born ca. 1817, to Richard Thurman (1767-1852) and Sarah (1780-1839), is the likely maker of this sampler. Elizabeth married John Rucker McDaniel (1813-1889) on September 16, 1837. Elizabeth died on January 29, 1841, and was buried in the Old City Cemetery (also known as the Old Methodist Cemetery). In 1892, Elizabeth’s grave was removed to Spring Hill Cemetery.