Images(2)

Sampler by Lydia Burrough

Date1792

Maker Lydia Burrough (1781 - 1878)

OriginAmerica, New Jersey or Pennsylvania

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 24 x 32 threads per inch (Identification of fibers by eye)

DimensionsFramed: OW: 10 1/2" x OH: 19" Sampler by sight: OW: 8 1/2" x OH: 17"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase, Funds given in memory of Sue Studebaker

Object number2009-55

DescriptionThis is a rectangular alphabet sampler worked in a band format in shades of green blue, black, brown, ivory, and rust/brown silk embroidery threads on a dark linen ground. The sampler is in a modern frame.
From the top the sampler consists of:
"Aa-EeF" upper and lower cases block, worked in cross and marking cross (?) stitches
Band of closed herringbone stitches
"f-Ij" Kk-LL" upper and lower cases block, worked in cross and marking cross (?) stitches
Band of eyelet stitches
"Mm-Oo P Q R [?]" upper and lower cases block, worked in cross and marking cross (?) stitches
Band of eyelet stitches
""SsTtUVWwXx" upper and lower cases block , worked in cross and marking cross (?) stitches
Band of eyelet stitches
"Y Z" upper case block, "1-9" worked in cross and marking cross (?) stitches
Band of closed herringbone stitches, worked front and reverse
"A-E" upper case block worked in eyelet stitches
Band of marking cross (?) stitches
"F-I K" upper case block worked in eyelet stitches
Band of queen stitches
"L-P" upper case block work in eyelet stitches
Band of queen stitches
"Q-T V" upper case block worked in eyelet stitches
Band of queen stitches
"W-Z" upper case block worked in eyelet stitches; decorative motif in queen stitches
Band of queen stitches
Decorative band consisting of five motifs of hourglass-like shapes (or two diamonds on point) alternating with hearts worked in cross and marking cross (?)stitches
Band of queen stitch
Band of five flower motifs worked in cross and marking cross (?) stitches
Band of closed herringbone stitches, worked front and reverse
The bottom of sampler consists of the verse and signature line worked in cross stitches over one thread:
"Fear + Honour + and + Love +/ The + great + God + above +/"
Band of half cross
"Lydia Burrough + her" followed by a queen stitch motif
Band of half cross
"sampler + made + in + the + 2"
Band of cross stitches
11th + year + of her + age 179."
The sampler is enclosed with a simpler inner border of cross stitches and an outer border of stylized strawberries worked in cross stitches.

Stitches: cross (over one and two threads), eyelet, herringbone (closed), marking cross (?), queen. Note that the sampler was not unframed to study the reverse of the sampler for the identification of the stitches.

Label TextLydia Burrough's sampler is the earliest and most primitive of a group of samplers worked by southern New Jersey schoolgirls that are characterized by a border formed of strawberries attached to an inner border. Some of them also depict a band of hearts and hourglass-like motifs. Lydia, a ten-year-old Quaker schoolgirl, lived in Upper Evesham Township in Burlington County, New Jersey. Her ancestors were Quaker, and she remained a Friend throughout her life. Because early Quaker samplers depict regional characteristics, Lydia's sampler does not exhibit the typical Quaker motifs, such as geometric half medallions, that are usually associated with nineteenth-century Quaker samplers.
Inscribed"Fear + Honour + and + Love +/ The + great + God + above +/"
"Lydia Burrough + her/ sampler + made + in + the + 2/"
11th + year + of her + age 179."
MarkingsA typed note on the back of the sampler's previous (but not original) backing states: "WORK DONE BY LYDIA BURROUGH; DAUGHTER OF SARAH (LAMB) BURROUGH, AROUND 1792."
A stamped inscription reads: "V. S. ROBINSON/ WALL PAPER & WINDOW SHADES/ 14 Walnut St., Salem, N. J."
ProvenancePurchased by Finkel & Daughter November 2008
Sold at Garth's Auctions (The Collection of Barbara & Charles Randau) November 2008 from the
Collection of Barbara K. Randau who purchased it March 2005 from
William H. Flowers Antiques Dealer
10 Silver Lake Drive
Clayton, NJ 08312-1334

History of samplermaker:
Born December 16, 1781, Lydia was the oldest of seven children of Samuel Burrough (1741-1793) and Sarah Lamb Burrough. The Burroughs were early Quaker settlers in New Jersey. On December 12, 1800 at the age of nineteen, Lydia married Solomon Lippincott Saunders (1777-1818), also a Quaker from Burlington County. They remained in the area and after she was widowed in 1818, Lydia raised their four daughters. (She gave birth to five, two of which were named Lydia; it is assumed one of the "Lydias" died as a child.)
Lydia died on June 2, 1878 in Cropwell, New Jersey at the age of 96. She was a member of Cropwell Particular and Upper Evesham Monthly Meeting. An obituary in the publication, "The Friend" vol. 53, described her as "faithful in the attendance of meeting even in her advanced age...Having borne many trials and much suffering, yet accepting all together for good to them who love the Lord; careful that her day's work might keep pace with the day; waiting for the change as a shock of corn fully ripe to be gathered into the Heavenly garner; we believe she is now reaping the reward of a well-spent life."