- Maker
- Nessly, Judith (age 17)
- Date made
- 1798
- Origin
- Lancaster, OH US
- Stitches
- Cross, Double Cross, Eyelet, Half cross, Queen.
- In Bolton & Co.
- No
- Foundation Cloth
- Linen
- Embroidery Thread
- Silk
- Predominent Motif
- 2 alphabets: both missing J, one ampersand. Numbers 1-14, and one small black dog motif all done in a saw tooth rectangle. A large crown on both sides and a heart in the center. An inner arcaded geometric border on all four sides with large strawberries worked in queen stitch. An outer border of three rows of cross stitches and tone-on-tone woven tape on all four sides. Judith Nessly's dated 1798 sampler is the earliest extant sampler from what is now the State of Ohio. Perhaps the most significant feature of the sampler is the inscription, firmly noting its creation in Lancaster, Ohio--a region barely clear of hostile Indian encounters at the time of the sampler's creation. (Note): this sampler was never framed until the past few years. It was rolled up and kept out of light for 200 years, accounting for the survival of the pristine colors of this important sampler. //
- Inscription
- Judith Nessly is my name Ohio is my station / Lancaster is my dwelling place and / Christ is my salvation / When I am dead and in my grave and / All my bones are rotten when this you / See remember me least I should be forgotten / Judith Nessly made this Sampler in / the 17th of her age * / A.A. 1 7 9 8 / J N * E N * B N * I N I N / J N L N E N A N AN //
- Length Without Frame
- 17 3/8"
- Length With Frame
- 18 7/8"
- Width Without Frame
- 13 5/8"
- Wdith With Frame
- 15 5/8"
- Historical Owner
- #2010-16 Museum purchase William J. Kane in memory of Eleanor H. Kane whose signatures were a captivating personality, handwriting, tailoring, decorating, knitting, and needlework
- Owner
- Museums of Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, VA
