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.