Sampler
Maker
Abigail Lippincott
Period1830
MediumPlied silk thread on rough brown linen
Dimensions18.38 × 8 in. (46.7 × 20.3 cm)
SignedThe sampler is signed "Abigail Lippincott / March The 2 1830."
ClassificationsNeedlework
Credit LineGift of Mrs. J. Amory Haskell, 1931
Object number30
DescriptionA long rectangular sampler, also known as a band sampler, of rough woven brown linen, with hems along the left and right sides and the original selvedge edges along the top and bottom. The sampler is worked in plied silk threads in black, medium green, light green, sky blue, light brick red, and pale yellow in cross and Algerian eyelet stitches. Virtually the entire sampler consists of a series of alphabets worked on a total of fourteen rows. Beginning at the top is a half-inch upper case alphabet, from A to L on the first line, M to W on the second line, then Y to Z on the third line. Immediately following begins a half-inch lower case alphabet from a to l, m to x on the fourth line, then y and z, which is worked backwards. Immediately following is a numeral run from 1 to 11, completing the fifth line. On the sixth line begins a large 3/4 inch upper case italic alphabet from a to H, G to O on the seventh line, P to U on the eighth line, then V to Z on the ninth line. On the tenth line, a one-inch upper case alphabet worked in eyelet stitch begins with A through E, F through K on the eleventh line, L through Q on the twelfth line, R through V on the thirteenth line, and W through Z on the fourteenth row and final alphabet row. All letters are worked in a pleasing array of colors, and each row is separated by a variety of narrow horizontal bands. Below all alphabet rows is worked the two-row signature reading "Abigail Lippincott / March The 2 1830." On the bottom row, in the far left corner, is worked the sampler's single decorative motif, a tiny floral bud in a shallow basket. A small foliate vine forms a border along the sampler's bottom edge. A narrow row of single cross stitches form a border along the left, top, and right sides of the linen panel.Curatorial RemarksThis long and narrow strip of embroidered linen is known as a band sampler. Maker Abigail Lippincott did not produce this needlework example as a finished embroidery panel for framing and display, but rather to practice stitches and hone her skill with a needle. Abigail was about twelve years old when she worked this strip of linen, and squeezed in a single tiny decorative element in the lower left corner. The sampler shows no sign of ever having been framed or mounted and was most likely, after it was completed, kept rolled or folded, possibly in a sewing box or basket for visual reference. Assigned accession number 30, the modest sampler was the first one acquired by the Association. It was donated by Mrs. J. Amory Haskell on 17 October 1931, three days before the new museum and library in Freehold opened to the public.NotesWhile Association collection records provide no information on the identity of Abigail Lipppincott, she could be a daughter of Abraham Lippincott (1783 - 1857) and Abigail Thorne (1781 - 1872) of Chester, Burlington County, New Jersey. She was born on 11 September 1818, the fifth of eight children in the Lippincott household, and brought up as a Quaker. In July of 1842, Abigail was disowned by the Chester Monthly Meeting. Interestingly, her parents and five of her siblings were also disowned by that Orthodox meeting, although at different times. It could be that they joined the Hicksite movement. Friends records for the Moorestown Monthly Meeting indicate Abigail's husband was one William Evans (1814 - 1875), a son of Enoch Evans. They were married there on 23 December 1841. Abigail died at Salem, New Jersey, on 30 March 1894 at the age of seventy five. She was interred in the Westfield Friends burial ground at Cinnaminson, Burlington County.
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