Sampler by Postrema Ridgway

Dateca. 1805

Maker Postrema Ridgway (b. 1796)

OriginAmerica, New Jersey or Pennsylvania

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of 40 x 52 threads per inch (Identification of fibers by eye)

DimensionsOW of sampler by sight: 11 1/4" OH of sampler by sight: 10 3/8" Overall: 48.3 x 26.7 x 2.5cm (19 x 10 1/2 x 1in.)

Credit LineAcquisition funded by The Antique Collectors' Guild

Object number2009-54

DescriptionThis is an almost square sampler embroidered in shades of green, blue, brown, yellow, and peach on a natural color linen ground. The top third of the sampler consists of a centrally worked urn of flowers, symmetrically flanked by a yellow swan, basket of fruit, butterfly, strawberry, bird, and another yellow swan.

The central portion of the sampler consists of the verse: "Let joy and worship spend/ The remnant of my days/ And to my God my soul ascend/ In sweet Perfumes of Praise." Below this is the signature block enclosed in a cartouche: "Postrema Ridgways/ Work aged 9 years." The verse and signature block are flanked by lily of the valley flowers (stalks of bell flowers).

The bottom section of the sampler consists of isolated motifs including a leaping stag, paired birds, two butterflies, strawberry, two stylized flowers, small upside down heart-shaped tree, and a castle-like building (know as the "Philadelphia castle" motif) all sitting on a green lawn of stitches.

The sampler is enclosed at top and sides in a double arcaded border with flowers, buds, and berries.
The sampler is framed in a modern frame.

Stitches: cross over two, long arm cross (variation?), queen, and satin
Label TextPostrema Ridgway's sampler illustrates the samplermaking traditions of Philadelphia and New Jersey. The leaping stag, castle-like building, butterflies, and lustrous green lawn are motifs found in Pennsylvania samplers. The paired birds, swans, baskets of fruit, and lily of the valley flowers are designs frequently found on Quaker samplers. Postrema, who worked the sampler at the age of nine, was a Quaker girl from Burlington County, New Jersey. The Ridgways fled England during the late 17th century, seeking a new life and religious freedom in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Inscribed"Let joy and worship spend/ The remnant of my days/ And to my God my soul ascend/ In sweet Perfumes of Praise."
Markings"Postrema Ridgways/ Work aged 9 years."
ProvenanceBrokered by Finkel & Daughter 2008 from the collection of
Barbara K. Randau who purchased it from
William H. Flowers Antiques Dealer in January 2006
10 Silver Lake Drive
Clayton, NJ 08312-1334

History of samplermaker:
Postrema Ridgway (b. July 16, 1796) was the sixth of nine children born to John (1762-1809) and Elizabeth Paxson Ridgway (b. 1754). She was probably named for her paternal grandmother, Postrema Shinn (1744-1831) of Mr. Holly, New Jersey, a descendant of the early Shinn family. Postrema married Isaac Jones in Philadelphia; nothing is known of her adult life. In the late seventeenth century the Ridgways and Shinns were two of the earliest Quaker families to settle in the region along the Delaware River that was to become Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Both families eventually resided in Burlington County, New Jersey.