Sampler by Louisa F. Butler

Date1839

Maker Louisa F. Butler (9/6/1824-9/2/1892) (1824 - 1892)

OriginAmerica, Indiana, Randolph County or Virginia, Lynchburg

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 29 x 29 threads per inch (Identification of fibers by eye)

DimensionsOW: 17 3/4" OH: 12"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2006-38

DescriptionThis is a rectangular sampler worked in faded shades of blue, rust, green, brown, and black silk threads on a natural color linen ground. The sampler has selvages at sides and 3/8" inch hem at top and bottom. The top third of the sampler consists of:
"A-MMNN-SSTT-VV-Z" "&", upper case block worked in cross over two threads
"A-MMNN-SSTT-VV-Z", upper case block worked in four-sided stitch, motif in double cross
Multicolor cross stitched band
"A-Q" "I" upper case block worked in eyelet stitch
Band in double row of eyelet stitch
"a-ss-z" lower case block worked in cross; "1-4 6 6-10" "MFJ" worked in cross stitch
Band in cross stitch
The bottom two thirds of the sampler is divided in half with a cross-stitched line. The left side contains a family record and the right side contains isolated motifs. On the left from the top:
"Louisa. F. Butler daughter of/ Johnathan and Elizabeth/ Butler was borned septem/ber the 6 1824 Louisa. F MP/ Butler wraught this sample [sic]/ in the sixteenth year of her/ age WB JB JB EB THB DB/ MB AB ETB MJB HAC SAB"
Band in multicolor double row of cross stitch
"Jonathan Butler and SALEL/"
Variation of Greek key band in cross stitch
"Elizabeth Harris was mar/"
Diamond band in cross stitch
"ried October the 1 181 ML AB"
Decorative cross stitch band
On the right side are isolated motifs including a double bird cage, flower in vase with inverted S handles; building with tree labeled "Church," stylized flowers, pot of flowers, column of tulips, a pitcher, and decorative motif of five squares, one with a heart in the center.
The sampler is enclosed on all four sides in a cross-stitched border.

Stitches: cross stitch over two threads, eyelet

Label TextLouisa Butler's sampler is closely related to a group of samplers worked in Lynchburg, Virginia and later in Tennessee and possibly Kentucky. The same building (which only Louisa labeled as "Church"), 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"Louisa. F. Butler daughter of/ Johnathan and Elizabeth/ Butler was borned septem/ber the 6 1824 Louisa. F MP/ Butler wraught [sic] this sample [sic]/ in the sixteenth year of her/ age WB JB JB EB THB DB/ MB AB ETB MJB HAC SAB"
"Jonathan Butler and SALEL/ Elizabeth Harris was mar/ ried October the 1 181 ML AB"

ProvenanceThis sampler was made by Louisa Fountain Butler (b. 9/6/1824, d. 9/2/1892), last of eleven children born to Jonathan and Elizabeth Harris Butler of Campbell County, Virginia. Louisa married William Patrick Harris on April 6, 1843, in Randolph County, Indiana. They had six children.
M. Finkel & Daughter recently purchased the sampler from "a dealer source." It is not known where the sampler was prior to this.