Images(4)

Sampler by Judith Nessly

Date1798 (dated)

Maker Judith Nessly (1781-1845)

OriginAmerica, Ohio, Lancaster

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground of approximately 42 x 46 threads per inch with a linen and wool woven tape (identification of fibers by eye)

DimensionsFramed: OH 18 7/8 x OW 15 5/8in. Sight size: OH: 17" x OW: 13 5/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase, William J. Kane in memory of Eleanor H. Kane whose signatures were a captivating personality, handwriting, tailoring, decorating, knitting, and needlework

Object number2010-16

DescriptionThis is a rectangular sampler worked in shades of rust, pink, gold, tan, green, and blue silk embroidery threads on a fine linen ground. The fully developed format consists of inner and outer borders with a central rectangular area of alphabets, numerals, and verses. In each top corner is a large crown. Centered near the top is a heart motif.

The central rectangular section is outlined with a cross-stitched border of crosses and zig-zags and contains the following:
"A-I" "K-O" uppercase block worked in cross stitch
"P-Z" uppercase block and "&" worked in cross stitch
Band of eyelet stitch
"A-H" uppercase block worked in eyelet stitch
"I" "K-P" uppercase block worked in eyelet stitch
"Q-W" uppercase block worked in eyelet stitch
"X Y Z" uppercase block worked in eyelet stitch
Band of queen stitch
Verses worked in half cross and cross stitched over one and two threads:
"Judith Nessly is my name Ohio is my station/
Lancaster is my dwelling place and/
Christ is my salvation/
When I am dead and in my grave and
All my bones are rotten when this you
See remember me least I should b e forgottn [sic]"
Zig-zag band of double cross stitch
Signature line worked in half cross and cross stitches over one and two threads:
"Judith Nessly made this Sampler in/
the 17th of her age x A x N 1798"
Band of half cross stitch over one thread
"JN", single eyelet stitch, "EN", queen stitch, "BN", single eyelet stitch, "JN" "IN", initials worked in cross stitch
"JN" "LN" "EN" "AN" "AN" worked in cross stitch
Band of cross stitch over two threads
"1-14" worked in cross over two threads
Band of cross stitch over one thread
Black dog motif worked in cross and half crosses

A large inner border consists of geometric and undulating elements with large strawberries worked in queen stitches. An outer border consists of three rows of cross stitches. The sampler is enclosed on all fours sides with a decorative tone-on-tone woven tape.

Stitches: cross over one and two, double cross, eyelet, half cross over one and two, queen

Label TextJudith Nessly's dated 1798 sampler is the earliest extant sampler from what is now the State of Ohio. The format of the alphabet sampler is fully developed with inner and outer borders, two sets of alphabets, numerals, verses, signature line, ten sets of family initials, and two beautifully executed crowns and a heart motif at the top. A striking feature of the work is a pieced outer border consisting of a wool and linen woven tape. Perhaps the most significant feature of the sampler is the inscription, firmly noting its creation in Lancaster, Ohio--a region barely clear of hostile Indian encounters at the time of the sampler's creation. Judith Nessly's sampler also records the timeless message of remembrance in her stitched plea "When I am dead and in my grave and/ All my bones are rotten when this you/ See remember me least I should be forgottn [sic]."

Judith Nessly was the daughter of Jacob Herr Nessly (1753-1832) and Elizabeth Groff Nessly (1759-1829), originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She married one of her first cousins, Rev. John Groff (1779-1834) in eastern Ohio. They lived in Wellsville, Ohio, where the couple had six children. Judith died in 1845.
Inscribed"Judith Nessly is my name Ohio is my station/ Lancaster is my dwelling place and/ Christ is my salvation/ When I am dead and in my grave and/ All my bones are rotten when this you/ See remember me least I should be forgotten."
Markings"JN EN BN JN IN/ JN LN EN AN AN"
ProvenanceVendor stated that "the sampler was never framed until the past few years. It was rolled up and kept out of light for two centuries, accounting for the survival of the pristine colors of this important sampler." No provenance prior to vendor is known.

History of Samplermaker:
Judith Nessly was one of at least five children of Jacob Herr Nessly (1753-1832) and Elizabeth Groff Nessly (1759-1829), originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Jacob Nessly received a land grant or bounty from the United States in Ohio Country (now Hancock County, West Virginia) for his services during the American Revolution. In 1785, the family migrated westward from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to Ohio, settling first near the Ohio River, and second in the new town of Lancaster, where Judith worked her sampler. The family later returned to their original land along the Ohio River.
Judith married one of her first cousin on her mother's side, Rev. John Groff (1799-1834) in eastern Ohio. They lived in Wellsville, Ohio, where the couple had six children. Judith died in 1845. Her remains were sent to Strasburg, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the home and burial place of her husband.