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Friday, May 30, 2008

Report from DC

Janet called this morning to report that her presentation on mourning motifs and texts in Tennessee samplers was well received at the DAR symposium.

She has elected to stay an extra few days to research some elusive Tennessee girls in the DAR's vast genealogical library.

The exhibit continues through August 30, 2008. Four Tennessee samplers/embroideries are included in the exhibit:

1850 Mary E. Halfacre
Union Academy
Isabella S. Wallis Slate, teacher
Franklin, Williamson Co.
Private Collection
23 1/4"V x 24 3/4"H © TSS 008

1851 Isabella S. Wallis Slate
Union Academy, teacher
Douglas, Williamson Co.
Private Collection
7 1/4"V x 9 3/4"H © TSS 018

These two samplers have descended in the same family. Isabella was Mary's teacher at Union Academy. Isabella made the small motto sampler as a gift for Mary and personalized the poem with her name.

1857 Rachel Frances Spears
Rogersville Synodical College, Rogersville
Hipshire Hollow, Hawkins Co.
Private Collection
16”V x 17”H © TSS 143

1868 Annis Franklin Kyle
Salem Female Academy, North Carolina
Rogersville, Hawkins Co.
Private Collection
39 1/2”V x 27 1/4”H © TSS 144

These two pieces have descended in the same family and hang in the same room. Although Rachel (called Frances) and Annis were not related to one another when they completed their needlework, the families have since intermarried. These two artifacts are good examples of a traditional sampler that was done in the Backcountry under local supervision and a Berlin cross stitch that was completed at a young ladies' academy.

Monday, May 19, 2008

1826 MS Sampler

We have located one sampler from Mississippi so far. An inscription on the back of the frame helped identify the maker.


1826 Lidia Simmons
© TSS 095
Charleston, Tallahatchie Co., MS
Historic Rock Castle, Hendersonville

The sampler is in the collection of Historic Rock Castle in Hendersonville, TN.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Trip to AL

After dodging tornadoes, I arrived in Birmingham Thursday afternoon for my lecture. I spoke to Birmingham NeedleArts, the EGA chapter. My topic was "A Textile Tour of Tennessee, with a Detour into Alabama."

My hostesses worked hard to make my stay very pleasant!

Our research has led us to four AL samplers, pictured below.

1823 Kezia G. Campbell
Florence, Lauderdale Co., AL
Tennessee State Museum, Nashville
16 3/4"V x 17 1/2"H © TSS 065

1829 Alice A. Dupuy
M. A. Rowe’s Academy
Monte Sano, Madison Co., AL
Private Collection
© TSS 201

1840 Caroline Day
AL
Private Collection
9"V x 12"H © TSS 121

1855 Martha Bushnell
Walker Co., AL
Private Collection
14 1/8"V x 12 1/8"H © TSS 122