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.

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.

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

DAR, Washington, DC, Samplers and Silk Embroideries Symposium

What: “Another View: 19th Century Samplers and Silk Needlework,” a symposium in conjunction with the exhibit Telling Their Stories: 19th Century Samplers and Silk Needlework (April 11—August 30, 2008)
When: Thursday, May 29, 2008; registration opens at 8:30 am, program begins at 9:15 am and concludes at 3:30 pm
Where: DAR Museum, 1776 D. Street NW, Washington, DC 20006-5303
Speakers: Janet S. Hasson, Betsy Garrett Widmer, Amy Finkel, Dr. Mary Beaudry, and Olive Blair Graffam
Contact: (202) 879-3241; museum@dar.org
Fee: $85 (includes continental breakfast and boxed lunch)
Additional information: this symposium is in conjunction with the exhibit "Telling Their Stories: Samplers and Silk Needlework" from April 11 to August 30, 2008. Exhibit description: "The nineteenth century brought tremendous change to Americans. The country and population expanded greatly. Families were dispersed with the ever-popular westward movement. The industrial revolution changed forever a consumer society. The country survived major and costly wars. The nation grew from a small republic to an international power. Does the handwork of girls and young women relate to such dynamic change? In this exhibition of 19th century needlework, the DAR Museum attempts to tell some of their stories."

Trip to West TN

Last week, from Wednesday to Friday, Janet and I made our first foray into West Tennessee. We adhered to a tight schedule! We documented two samplers and have a strong lead on a third. We met with an antique maps dealer (to discuss the inclusion of period maps in our book) and the dean of the school of arts at Lambuth University (to discuss a upcoming conference on the decorative arts of Tennessee). Janet spoke to the Chief Piomingo chapter of the DAR. We stayed with our West Tennessee board member in her lovely home, which truly could be a B&B. We left West Tennessee with over 60 images and a generous donation; we will soon return!

This sampler now lives in Memphis, though it was worked in Williamson Co.


Mary S. Sutton
September 30, 1834—July 13, 1912
Williamson Co.
July 27, 1848
Wool and silk on linen
21 ½ vertical x 18 ½ horizontal
Private Collection
TSS 017

Mystery Sampler Revealed

Mary Elizabeth Terrell
February 28, 1836—July 10, 1917
Burwood, Williamson Co.
September 18, 1846
Wool on cotton learning canvas
16" vertical x 17" horizontal
Private Collection
TSS 196



Our most recent documentation is the Mystery Sampler that I referred to in an earlier post (02/19/2008). Our "Little Dog" makes an appearance. The name "Mary de Patterson" appears above the cartouche. Janet's research has revealed that Mary Elizabeth Terrell's family made payment to Mary D. Patterson for embroidery instruction. We have found the elusive teacher for the later samplers in this group.

Upcoming Events

What: lecture, Janet Hasson, "A Beautiful Mourning: Melancholic Sentimentality in Tennessee Samplers"
Where: Biblical Resource Center, 140 E. Mulberry St., Collierville, TN 38017
When: Thursday, April 3, 2008, 2:00 pm
Host: Chief Piomingo Chapter, DAR
Contact: Nancy Bassett, (901) 854-9578
Chapter web site
Biblical Resource Center
Additional information: attendees are invited to bring antique samplers for examination.

What: lecture, Jennifer Core, "Textile Tour of TN with Detours into AL"
Where: St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 3775 Crosshaven Drive, Birmingham, AL 35223, (205) 967-8786
map
When: Thursday, May 8, 2008, 7:00 pm
Host: Birmingham Needlearts, EGA chapter
Contact: Karen Taylor
Birmingham Needlearts regional news
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
Additional information: attendees are invited to bring antique samplers for examination.

What: lecture, Janet Hasson, "A Beautiful Mourning: Melancholic Sentimentality in Tennessee Samplers"
Where: DAR Museum, 1776 D St., Washington, DC 20006
When: Thursday, May 29, 2008
Host: DAR Museum
DAR calendar
Additional information: this lecture is in conjunction with the exhibit "Telling Their Stories: Samplers and Silk Needlework" from April 11 to August 30, 2008. Exhibit description: "The nineteenth century brought tremendous change to Americans. The country and population expanded greatly. Families were dispersed with the ever-popular westward movement. The industrial revolution changed forever a consumer society. The country survived major and costly wars. The nation grew from a small republic to an international power. Does the handwork of girls and young women relate to such dynamic change? In this exhibition of 19th century needlework, the DAR Museum attempts to tell some of their stories."