Images(3)

Sampler by Ann Almy

Date1733 (dated)

Artist/Maker Ann Almy (1723 - 1808)

OriginAmerica, Rhode Island, Newport

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 30 x 34 threads per inch (fiber identification by textile lab)

DimensionsOH: 19" x OW: 8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1992-11

DescriptionThis is a rectangular needlework band sampler worked in shades of blue, green, red, brown, and black silk thread on a natural-colored linen ground. The sampler is hemmed at left edge in a 3/16" hem and has cut edges on other three sides. From the top:
Simple band of cross stitch
"A A-I" "K-O" upper case block worked in cross stitch
Simple band of cross stitch
"P-T" "V-Z" upper case block and "1 2 3 3" worked in cross stitch
Simple band of cross stitch
"A A-I" "K-O" upper case block worked in cross stitch
Simple band of cross stitch
"P-T" "V-Z" upper case block and "1 2 3 3" worked in cross stitch
Simple band of cross stitch
Band of stylized flowers worked in cross stitch
Simple band of cross stitch
"A-I" "K-R" upper case script worked in cross stitch
Simple band of cross stitch
"S T V-Z" upper case script, diamond motif, "Ann Almy" worked in cross stitch
Simple band of cross stitch
"Sampler Mae [sic] In The 11 Year of" worked in cross stitch
Simple band of cross stitch
"Her Age 1733" diamond motif, "1-11" worked in cross stitch
Simple band of cross stitch
Decorative band of stylized flowers and vine worked in cross stitch
Simple band of cross stitch
"The Loss of A Father Is Much" worked in cross stitch
Simple band of cross stitch
"The Loss of A Mother Is More" worked in cross stitch
Simple band of herringbone stitch
"The loss of Christ Is Such A," diamond motif, worked in cross stitch
Simple band of cross stitch
"Loss As No Man Can Restore" worked in cross stitch
Simple band of cross stitch
Three large undulating stylized flowers and vine, worked in cross and half cross stitches
Simple band of eyelet stitch
"A-I K-P" upper case block worked in eyelet stitch
Simple band of cross stitch
"Q-T V-Z" upper case block worked in eyelet stitch and an area of decorative queen's stitch
Simple band of eyelet stitch
Band of strawberries worked in queen's stitch
Simple band of cross stitch
"Arise Awake your Lamps To" and diamond motif worked in cross stitch
Simple band of cross stitch
"Take And Do No Longer Sl" worked in cross stitch
Simple band of cross stitch
"umber you Must Then Trim To" worked in cross stitch
Simple band of herringbone stitch
"Waite on Him Vnto His We" worked in cross stitch
Simple band of cross stitch
"dding chamber" worked in cross stitch and a decorative area solidly worked in cross stitch

Stitches: back, cross (over one and over two), eyelet, four-sided, herringbone, marking cross, queen's, and half cross
Label TextAnn Almy's sampler of 1733 belongs to the earliest group of Newport samplers. The bold central floral motif in the second decorative band is found on other Newport samplers of this period, suggesting they were made under the same (unknown) teacher. At this still-early date, Ann's sampler clings to the English band format and precise needlework.
Inscribed"Ann Almy/ Sampler Mae [sic] In The 11 Year of/ Her Age 1733"
"The Loss of A Father Is Much/ The Loss of A Mother Is More/ The loss of Christ Is Such A/ Loss As No Man Can Restore"
"Arise Awake your Lamps To/ Take And Do No Longer Sl/ umber you Must Then Trim To/ Waite on Him Vnto His We/ dding chamber"
MarkingsNone
ProvenanceThis sampler was first documented by the Colonial Dames of Massachusetts and included in their exhibition of American Samplers held at the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities in 1913.
A label on the back of the sampler (which did not come with the sampler) read, "Property/ of/ Mrs. J. H. Morison/ 44 Brimmer St/ Boston./ Mass." and "S.P.N.E.A./ 44 Brimmer St. #36." Mrs. John Holmes Morison was the mother of Admiral Samuel Eliot Morison.
The sampler descended from Mrs. J. H. Morison to Admiral Samuel Eliot Morison; to his granddaughter, to a private collection. (Notes from S. T. Priddy)

HISTORY OF MAKER: Ann Almy was born in 1723 in Rhode Island. The exact date and place of her birth are unknown. She was fourth child and third daughter of William Almy (June 22nd, 1699-April 17th, 1740) and Elizabeth Cranston Almy (March 7th, 1701-July 8th, 1770). William Almy was the son of a merchant and Elizabeth Cranston was the granddaughter of John Cranston, Governor of Rhode Island from 1678 to 1680. William was a direct descendant of William Almy, an early American colonist who was one of the founders of Sandwich, Massachusetts. Ann had ten siblings -- William (1719-August 2nd, 1749), Mary (1719-September 6th, 1746), an unnamed sister (died June 20th, 1721), Christopher (November 7th, 1724-December 23rd, 1732), Benjamin (September 1726-November 7th, 1726), Job (died after 1745), Benjamin (died between 1753 and 1770), John (1732-April 22nd, 1775), Samuel (died in approximately 1757), and Christopher (died after 1745). Both William and Elizabeth are buried in the Newport Common Burying Ground.

Ann Almy married Walter Chaloner on July 28th, 1743 in Trinity Church in Newport, Rhode Island. Walter was the High Sheriff of Newport County, Rhode Island, and a Tory (a loyalist to Britain). He held this position from 1767 to 1774, but lost the position because of his strong loyalty to the British crown. He was at one time Warden and Vestryman of Trinity Church. During the American Revolution, Walter established a spy ring designed to keep British Captain James Wallace informed of the latest news from the Patriots and to bring escaped Loyalists from and near Boston to safety on one of Wallace's ships. After he was found out, he and the rest of his family (except for one son, Walter, Jr.) moved to Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. Walter Chaloner died on November 16th, 1796 in Saint John and Ann died on April 16th, 1808 in the same place. Ann and Walter are buried together in the "Old Cemetery at the Head of King's Street" in Saint John. The inscription on their tombs reads, "Beneath this Tomb lie interred the bodies of Walter Chaloner, Esquire, formerly High Sheriff of Newport, in the British Colony of Rhode Island, and afterwards one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for Kings County, in the Providence of New Brunswick, who departed this life on the 16th day of November, 1796. Also of Ann Chaloner, his wife, who died on the 16 day of April, 1808. And of Elizabeth Chaloner, their daughter, who died on the 7th day [sic, no month named], 1813. Also of John Chaloner, Esquire, later Register of Deeds for the County of Saint John, by whom this monument was erected, who departed this life on the 11th day of April, 1827."