Sampler by Jane G. Hiter

Date1848 (dated)

Artist/Maker Jane G. Hiter (b. 1836)

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Orange County (probably), "Eastern View"

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 32 warps x 30 wefts per inch

DimensionsOW: 18" OL: 16"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase, The Friends of Colonial Williamsburg Collections Fund

Object number2001-2

DescriptionThis is a needlework sampler worked in shades of pink, green, tan, white, and blue silk threads on a darkened natural color linen ground. The sampler has a 1/4" hem at top, bottom, and left side. There is a selvage on the right side. The top third of the sampler consists of four bands of alphabets, four decorative dividing bands, and the numerals "1-9." Directly below the alphabets is the signature line: "Jane G. Hiter commenced and completed this sampler with her aunt Lucie Mountague at Eastern View in the year/ 1848." A vine band of berries and leaves divides the upper portion of the sampler from the middle.
The predominate feature in the middle section of the sampler is a large white two-story house with two chimneys, two doors with transoms, six windows--two of which are open--and a brick foundation. To the left of the house at the roof level is the verse: "Oh may my heart, by grace renew'd/ Be my redeemer's throne:/ And be my stubborn will subdu'd,/ His government to own:". To the right of the house at roof level is the verse: "Let deep repentance faith and love/ Be join'd with godly fear/ And all my conversations prove/ My heart to be sincere." Centered above the house in blue silk embroidery threads is the name "William Quisenberry." To the left of the house are three evergreen trees, a flowering bush, and a flowering vine growing up the side of the house. To the right of the house are four evergreen trees and one flowering tree with leaves. A row of cross stitch divides the middle section of the sampler from the bottom portion.
In the lower section of the sampler are twenty-five names in seven columns, probably family members and friends related to Jane G. Hiter. The names in the first column are: "James Hiter/ Lucie M. Hiter/ Jemima Hiter/ Ann F Hiter." The names in the second column are: "Marie Hiter/ Lucie M Hiter/ William Y Hiter/ Sallie J Hiter." The names in the third column are: "William Y Hiter/ Jane Hiter/ William Hiter/ Sarah Hiter." The names in the fourth column are: "Betsy Goodwin/ Hugh Hiter/ Susan Hiter/ Ralph N Dickinson." The names in the fifth column are: " Ralph Dickinson/ Frances A S Dickinson/ John Q Dickinson/ James S Dickinson." The names in the sixth column are: "Rodert Fox/ Marie A Fox/ Reuben Chewning/ Sallie J Chewning/ The name in the seventh column is "Charles Dickinson."
The sampler is enclosed at top and sides in a Greek key border. A large vine band of leaves and fruit is at the bottom of the sampler.

Stitches: blanket, cross, double cross, eyelet, four-sided, lazy daisy, split

Label TextJane Hiter's sampler belongs to a remarkable group of Piedmont Virginia samplers referred to as the "open window" samplers. The most noticeable characteristics of the embroideries are a register of family names and houses with open windows. Jane marked her sampler with the inscription "Jane G. Hiter commenced and completed this sampler with her aunt Lucie Mountague at Eastern View in the year/ 1848."
Born 1836, Jane G. Hiter was the daughter of James and Lucy Dickinson Hiter of Louisa County. Jane's great aunt was Lucy Quisenberry Montague who designed the sampler and provided instruction in the proper stitches.
InscribedTo the left of the house at the roof level is the verse: "Oh may my heart, by grace renew'd/ Be my redeemer's throne:/ And be my stubborn will subdu'd,/ His government to own:". To the right of the house at roof level is the verse: "Let deep repentance faith and love/ Be join'd with godly fear/ And all my conversations prove/ My heart to be sincere."
Centered above the house in blue silk embroidery threads is the name "William Quisenberry."
In the lower section of the sampler are twenty-five names in seven columns, probably family members and friends related to Jane G. Hiter. The names in the first column are: "James Hiter/ Lucie M. Hiter/ Jemima Hiter/ Ann F Hiter." The names in the second column are: "Marie Hiter/ Lucie M Hiter/ William Y Hiter/ Sallie J Hiter." The names in the third column are: "William Y Hiter/ Jane Hiter/ William Hiter/ Sarah Hiter." The names in the fourth column are: "Betsy Goodwin/ Hugh Hiter/ Susan Hiter/ Ralph N Dickinson." The names in the fifth column are: " Ralph Dickinson/ Frances A S Dickinson/ John Q Dickinson/ James S Dickinson." The names in the sixth column are: "Rodert Fox/ Marie A Fox/ Reuben Chewning/ Sallie J Chewning/ The name in the seventh column is "Charles Dickinson."
ProvenanceNo ownership history for the sampler is known at this time.

History of maker:
Jane G. Hiter (born 1836 in Louisa County) was the daughter of James and Lucy Dickinson Hiter of Louisa County. Jane's great aunt was Lucy Quisenberry Montague with whom she worked her sampler at Eastern View.