Sampler
Period1826
Place MadeNew Jersey, United States
MediumSilk on linen
DimensionsFramed: 17 × 19 in. (43.2 × 48.3 cm)
InscribedWorked in the center of the sampler is the inscription "A. D. 1826 / M. A. Dunphy's / Work Aged. / 10 Years."
ClassificationsNeedlework
Credit LineGift of Mary Dawley Herberich, 2019
Object number2019.15.4
DescriptionA square needlework sampler on natural linen, worked cross stitch in silk embroidery thread in shades of green, blue, ivory, pale yellow, and tan. In the center of the sampler, within a leafy oval wreath, is the inscription "A. D. 1826 / M. A. Dunphy's / Work Aged. / 10 Years." Above the wreath is the verse "Preferve me Lord amidft the crowd / From every thought that'f vain and proud / And give my wand'ring mind to fee / How good it if to truft in Thee." A narrow dark green floral band runs along the bottom of the verse. At the bottom of the sampler is a central building with a main central section, two side wings, two large chimneys, two center doors, and a wide entry pathway. The grassy lawn is worked in raveled silk floss. A pair of triangular pine trees flank the house, with a charming arbor and floral urn at left and a leafy tree at right, with a large bird perched in the topmost branch. Birds and small dogs populate the lawn. A variety of single elements are worked throughout the rest of the sampler, including floral baskets, floral urns, sprays of flowers, and birds. A wide stylized floral border is worked along the left, top, and right sides of the sampler, while a narrow band of pulled thread and cross stitch runs along the bottom edge of the panel.Curatorial RemarksThe Association has four samplers associated with the combined Creed, Dunphy, Horner, and Burtis families. The first may date to about 1800 and was made by Penelope Creed (see accession number 2019.15.2)). Penelope's daughter, Mary Ann Dunphy, made her own sampler in 1826 (accession number 2019.15.4). Penelope's second husband, Fullar Horner, brought two children into the marriage, son Samuel H. Horner and daughter Mary Horner. The Association also has Mary Horner's own sampler, made in 1828 when she was eleven (accession number 2019.15.3). Mary Ann Dunphy married her stepbrother, Samuel Horner, and the couple had eight children. Their daughter, Florence, married William Burtis. A Burtis family sampler also descended in the family, made by William's aunt, Lucy Burtis, in 1823 (accession number 2019.15.1).NotesMary Ann Dunphy was born on 14 March 1816 in Baltimore, Maryland, to James Dunphy and Penelope Creed. After her father's death in or around 1827, her mother remarried. Her second spouse was Fullar Horner (1767-1845), who had two children from his first wife. Mary Ann married her stepbrother, Samuel Harker Horner (1810-1872) in about 1839. The couple had eight children.
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