Object Name: Sampler
Object ID: 1946.017.03
Creator: Colby, Ann M. (1812-1866)
Place of Origin: Concord, NH
Date: 1820-1825
Description: Sampler. Made by Ann Myra Colby (1812-1866), Concord, NH; 1820-1825. Silk threads on linen, worked with five alphabets: the first in script capital letters in cross stitch; the second in block capital letters in eyelet stitch (similar to Algerian eye stitch, but pulled tighter to create a hole); the third in capital block letters in satin stitch; the fourth in capital block letters in cross stitch; and the fifth in lower-case block letters in cross stitch. Below the alphabets is a line of numbers one through fourteen in cross stitch. In the lower half of the sampler is cross-stitched this verse: "I sigh not for beauty nor languish for wealth, / But grant me kind providence virtue and Health, / Then richer than queens or as happy as they / My days shall pass sweetly and swiftly away / Annmira Colby born April 24 1812." To the sides of this verse are embroidered flowering plants worked in cross, outline, bullion, and satin stitches. Below the inscription is a basket of flowers flanked by two vessels of flowers, worked in eyelet, bullion, satin, outline, and slanted straight stitch. Sampler edges are hemstitched. Predominant colors are two shades of pale green, black, cream, turquoise blue (now pale aqua) and pink (now pale tan).
Material: Textile
Linen
Silk
Dimensions: H-15.5 W-17.3 inches
Provenance: Legend in ink on back of frame: "Ann Myra Colby Born 1812. Married Albert Runals Jan 7 1835/ She died Oct 22 1866 / Children Mary Maria born June 10 1836 / Died Feb 20 1872 in her 36 yr. / Marcia E. Born July 14 1835 / Married Andrew P. Bennett Jan 1 1856 / Died May 26 1863 - 25yr / Children Frank Robert Aug. 28 1857 died / Eugene Albert Nov 16 1862 - / Albert Runals married Lucy Jane Holmes of Webster / Oct. 3 - 1867 / Their child Marcia Alice / Ann Myra Colby - was a sister of Mahala Holmes - died 1887 / June 18 18 / 77yrs -8m-7day / Mother of Lucy Jane Holmes / Albert Runals Died Feb. 13 1882 - / Lucy Runals Died Nov. 13 1918 / To go to some Historical Society / Show the work done in years / gone by / Marcia Putney / daughter of Albert Runals - / born 1878 - / Sept. 12 - ".
Credit Line: Gift of Margaret Inman
People:
Colby, Ann M. (1812-1866),
Inman, Margaret F. (1895-1983)