Sampler by Amanda N. Jarrett

Date1819

Maker Amanda N. Jarrett (1808-1884)

OriginAmerica, West Virginia, Monongalia County, Morgantown

MediumSilk and crinkled silk embroidery threads on a cotton ground of 32 weft by 28 warp threads per inch (fibers identified by microscope)

DimensionsOverall: 18 x 15in. (45.7 x 38.1cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2012-66

DescriptionThis is a rectangular sampler worked in shades of blue, brown, green, faded pink/red, and cream silk and crinkled silk embroidery threads on a natural color cotton ground. The sampler has two large meandering vine borders at sides. The center top of the sampler features a centered "strawberry tree" worked in queen stitches and flanked by two green trees. An inner two-toned sawtooth border encloses a two-story blue house, which is flanked by pots of large flowering vines. The house rests on a brown and cream checkered lawn. Beneath this are the following verses: "Jesus. sought.me/ When. a. strange/ r. wandring. from/ the. fold. of. god. he./ to. rescue. me. fro/ m. danger. interp/ osed. his. precious./ blood." and "While. thousand/ younger. Far. the/ an. I. have. closd./ their. earthly r/ ace. midst. tomb/ s. unnumberd. I. a/ m. spard. a. monu/ ment. of. grace" x.
The lower section of the sampler consists of the large initials "W. N. J" and "M J" and the signature line:
"Amanda.N.Jarrett.born/January.2nd.1808.and.mar/ked/
this.sampler.in.the./
12.year.of.her.age.in.the/
year.of.our.lord.1819.mo/rgantown.virginia"

Stitches: cross over one and two, eyelet, queen, and satin
Label TextThis colorful sampler worked by Amanda N. Jarrett represents a fully developed sampler form with outer meandering vine borders at sides, inner two-toned sawtooth border, two sets of family initials (WNJ and MJ for her parents), verses, signature line, and a beautifully executed "strawberry tree" worked in queen stitch at center top. Amanda also included her date of birth, January 2, 1808, and the year she completed the sampler, 1819. A striking feature of the sampler is the charming two-story blue house flanked by pots of large flowering vines. Most significant is the inscription firmly noting its creation in Morgantown, Virginia, a town now in Monongalia County, West Virginia. Samplers created in the western part of Virginia in the area that today makes up the state of West Virginia are rare with only a few regional styles identified.
Inscribed"Jesus. sought. me/ When. a strange/ r. wandring. from/ the. fold. of god. he./ to rescue. me. fro /m. danger. interp/ osed. his. precious. blood."

"While. thousand./ younger. For. th/ an. I . have. closd./ their. earthly. r/ ace. midst. tomb/ s. unnumberd. I. a/ m. spard. a monu/ ment. of. grace"
Markings"W.N.J x MJ" “Amanda.N.Jarrett.born/ January.2nd.1808.and.mar/ ked/ this.sampler.in.the./ 12.year.of.her.age.in.the/ year.of.our.lord.1819.mo/ rgantown.virginia"
ProvenancePurchased by M. Finkel & Daughter at Sotheby's January 22, 2012 sale: Important American Schoolgirl Embroideries: The Landmark Collection of Betty Ring.
Ex-collection of Betty Ring. No further provenance is known.

History of samplermaker:
Amanda N. Jarrett was born January 2, 1808, to William Norris Jarrett (1776-1829) and Mary Kiger McNeely Jarrett (d. 1849) in Morgantown, Monongalia County, Virginia. On August 13, 1829, Amanda married Jabez B. Larwill. By 1850, the couple was living in Crawford, Ohio, with their eight children, two of whom were thirteen- year-old twin boys. Jabez and their oldest son worked as druggists. Amanda died at the age of 76 and a simple tombstone marks her grave in the Wooster Cemetery in Wayne County, Ohio.