Sampler by Mary Pitcher

Date1822 (dated)

Artist/Maker Mary Pitcher

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 24 x 25 threads per inch (fiber identification by eye)

DimensionsBy sight: 9 5/8" x 12"; Framed: 11 1/2" x 13 7/8"

Credit LineGift of Nancy Newhard Melton Ray

Object number1999-22

DescriptionThis is a small rectangular alphabet sampler worked in shades of blue, brown, black, green, cream, & what was probably originally red/pink silk embroidery threads on a natural color linen ground. From the top the sampler consists of:
"A-N" upper case block in cross stitch
Simple cross stitch band
O-Z" upper case block in cross stitch
Simple cross stitch band
"A-N" upper case block in cross stitch
Simple cross stitch band
"P-Z" upper case block in cross stitch
Simple cross stitch band
"A-N"" upper case block in cross stitch
Simple cross stitch band
"O-Z" "A" upper case block in cross stitch
"A-N" upper case block in cross stitch
Simple cross stitch band
"O-Z" "A" upper case block in cross stitch
Simple cross stitch band
"A-N" upper case block in cross stitch
Simple cross stitch band
"O-Z" upper case block in cross stitch
"Mary Pitchers Sampler"
Simple cross stitch band
"done in her 8th Year 1822"
Sampler is enclosed in a border of cross and long arm cross.

Stitches: cross (over two) and long arm cross
Label TextMary Pitcher worked this small alphabet sampler as a practice piece when she was seven. Born on December 14, 1814, Mary Pitcher was the second of six children of
Henry and Elizabeth Lufberry Pitcher. Her father, a shipwright, lived in Kensington, a small town northeast of Philadelphia on the Delaware River. The family moved to Portsmouth, Virginia, by 1840.

ProvenanceThis sampler was sold by M. Finkel & Daughter to Nancy Newhard Melton Ray in 1998.

History of maker:
"On December 14, 1814, Mary Pitcher was born, the second of six children of Henry and Elizabeth (Lufberry) Pitcher of Kensington, which at the time was a small town just northeast of Philadelphia on the Delaware River. Henry Pitcher was a shipwright, listed in the city directory compiled in 1821 at an address at Queen and Bishop Streets, near the waterfront. That was the last year that this family was recorded as living in the Philadelphia area; they subsequently moved to Portsmouth, Virginia, where Henry Pitcher continued to work as a shipwright." "The Pitcher family bible, dated 1840 from Portsmouth, Virginia, records the births and further indicates that Mary married a man named Gale and died on May 11, 1866."(Samplings: A selected offering of antique sampler and needlework. Vol. XIV, M. Finkel & Daughter, p.2.)

At the age of seven, Mary Pitcher worked a simple alphabet sampler (G1999-22) with the inscription, "Mary Pitchers Sampler/done in her 8th Year 1822."
Mary's younger sister, Elizabeth Pitcher (b. January 6, 1820, d. January 20, 1856) worked an alphabet sampler (G1999-23) in 1828 with
the inscription, "Elizabeth Pitcher/Work done in the 9 Year/ of age 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9."

Origin of maker: born in Pennsylvania; moved to Portsmouth, Virginia.