Sampler by Elizabeth Clifford Morris

Date1824 (dated)

Maker Elizabeth Clifford Morris (1813 - 1892)

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (probably)

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 28 x 31 threads per inch (identification of fibers by eye)

DimensionsUnframed: OW: 12 1/4" x OH: 17"

Credit LineGift of Beatrix T. Rumford

Object number2006-60

DescriptionThis is an unfinished alphabet sampler worked in faded shades of green, ivory, yellow, and pink on a darkened natural-color linen ground. The sampler is hemmed at top, bottom, and right side in a 1/4" hem. There is a selvage at left side. From the top the sampler consists of:
"A-I" "K-Q" upper case block worked in cross stitch
Band of cross stitch
"R-Z" upper case block, diamond motif, "1-5" worked in cross stitch
Band of cross stitch
"a-v" lower case block in cross stitch
Band of double row of cross stitch
"6-10", "w-z" lower case block, "11-15", square motif, worked in cross stitch
Band of eyelet stitch
"A-H J" upper case script, diamond motif worked in cross stitch
Band of cross stitch
"K-Q" upper case script worked in cross stitch
Band of flowers and vine worked in cross stitch
Signature line: "Elizabeth Clifford Morris" worked in cross stitch
Band of sawtooth in satin stitch
"A-P" upper case block in foursided stitch
Band of foursided stitch
"Q-Z" upper case block worked in foursided stitch, queen's stitch motif
"T upper case block worked in cross stitch
"A- upper case block worked in eyelet stitch
Band of double-cross, unfinished
"1824" worked in cross stitch
The bottom third of the sampler appears to be unfinished with a large unfinished leaf motif at left and unworked area at right.
The sampler is enclosed on all four sides in an undulating border of vine and flowers worked in cross stitch.

Stitches: cross, double-cross, foursided, eyelet, queen's and satin
Label TextIn addition to reinforcing the learning of numerals and the alphabet, samplers, like this one, taught young girls needlework skills. This alphabet sampler was created by Elizabeth Clifford Morris ((1813-1892), a twin daughter of Caspar Wistar Morris (1764-1828) and Elizabeth Giles Morris (1774-1832) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her twin sister, Sarah Morris (1813-1826), created an almost identical sampler in 1824.
MarkingsMarked in pencil on back of modern frame at top: "Twin sampler--done by Eliz. Clifford Morris' twin sister...in 1962"
Label on paper on back of modern frame is from Purnell Art Company, 407 W. Charles Street, Baltimore/ Established in 1890.
ProvenanceElizabeth Clifford Morris (1813-1892) was a twin daughter of Caspar Wistar Morris (1764-1828) and Elizabeth Giles Morris (1774-1832) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Caspar W. Morris was disowned by the Society of Friends, for joining a troop, which was sent to quell the Whiskey Insurrection in 1794; Elizabeth Giles was disowned for marrying him.) Elizabeth Clifford's twin sister was Sarah Wistar Morris (1813-1826). Elizabeth Clifford Morris married Samuel Canby (1811-1875) in 1832. They had a least one son (1833-1836) and a daughter, Elizabeth Morris Canby (1848-1933), who married Charles Grubb Rumford (1841-1901) and through which many family pieces descended to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Rumford, II, and their daughter Miss Beatrix T. Rumford.