Object Name: Sampler
Object ID: 1998.012.01
Creator: Spear, Betsy (1802-1885)
Place of Origin: New Ipswich, NH
Date: 1817
Description: Sampler with family record, made by Betsy Spear, New Ipswich, NH, 1817. Gauze (linen?) embroidered with silk thread, three sections of text surrounded by floral borders. Bottom is signed, "Wrought by Betsy Spear of New Ipswich A.D. 1817." The first section includes three lines of alphanumerics separated by floral and geometrics:
Line 1, block: "A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z & 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0"
Line 2, cursive: "A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z"
Line 3, block: "a b c d e f g h i j k m n o p q r s t U v w x y z & a e l o v e w y"
The second section is titled "Family Record":
"Joseph Spear__born Oct. 2, 1774 married June 22, 1801 to Elizabeth / Adams who was born Dec 13, 1778___ Joseph Spear died Aug the / 14, AD. 1818 in the 44th year / of his age. / Their Children. / Betsy Spear___born April 22, 1802. / Lyman Spear___born Jan 13, 1804. / Lucinda Spear___born March 6, 1806. / Joseph A Spear___born Feb 6, 1808."
The third section is the following poem:
"Would you the bloom of youth should last, /
It's virtue that must bind it fast, / Virtue hath charms which ne'er decay, / Though youth and beauty fade away."
Overall: Colors on obverse have faded, but remain brilliant on reverse. Colors include brown text with floral border in greens (light green faded to white), yellow, pinks (faded to cream and white), light blue, tan, and white. Stitcvhes used: Cross stitch, Straight stitch, Bullon knotd, Cross stitch, Back stitch, Satin stitch, French knots, Rococo stitch.
Material: Textile
Dimensions: H-18.25 W-18.5 inches
Credit Line: Bequest of Florence A. Fisher
People:
Spear, Betsy (1802-1885),
Spear, Joseph (1774-1818),
Adams, Elizabeth (1778-1868),
Spear, Lyman (1804-1874),
Spear, Lucinda (1806-1891),
Spear, Joseph A. (1808-1848),
Fisher, Florence A. (1924-1998)
Subjects:
Birth Record,
Family Record