Sampler

Maker Cordelia Emirettee Wheeler

Period1848

MediumPlied cotton thread on linen

Dimensions9.88 × 11.13 in. (25.1 × 28.3 cm)

SignedThe sampler is signed and dated "Cordelia Emirettee Wheeler / Glover VT Agd 12 Years 1848."

ClassificationsNeedlework

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Julia Hartshorne Trask, 1946

Object number2084.25

DescriptionA wide rectangular sampler of tightly woven bleached linen embroidered with plied cotton thread in dark blue, dark brown, medium brown, pinkish tan, and ecru. Stitches are virtually all cross, with some tent and chain stitching noted. The sampler includes six widely spaced rows of alphabet runs. On the first row, a half-inch upper case italic alphabet is worked, from A through M, continuing with N through X on the second row. The letter "T" does not appear, and was either never embroidered or was picked out after stitching. On the third row, the alphabet concludes with Y and Z, followed by a quarter-inch upper case alphabet from A to L. The fourth line continues M through Z with a small diamond spacer motif at the end. The fifth line begins with a numeral run from 1 through 9, followed by a quarter-inch lower case alphabet, a through p. The sixth line finishes with q through z, with the letter "s" worked as "f." Each row is separated with a simple and narrow cross stitch band. Below the alphabet rows is the signature "Cordelia Emirettee Wheeler / Glover VT Agd 12 years 1848." A small cross stitch checkerboard motif separates "VT" from "Agd." Below the inscription lines are two repeating bands of feathered scrolls and hearts. Along the bottom of the sampler is worked scattered random single motifs, including a feathered square in the center and three small stylized feather sprays. A tiny chain stitch border runs along the bottom hem edge.
Curatorial RemarksThe euphoniously named Cordelia Emirettee Wheeler was twelve when she completed her sampler in 1848. Cordelia's needlework panel includes the interesting long "s," appearing as "f," in the lower case run of her alphabets. The long "s" had long since become obsolete in both printing and in sampler making. This may indicate something about Cordelia's unidentified needlework instructress. Her teacher may have been elderly, relying on needlework skills learned decades earlier. By 1848, silk and linen cross stitched samplers were quickly being replaced by the widely popular Berlin work embroidery, using sturdy canvas and brightly-colored wool yarns coupled with commercially-printed pattern selections. A remarkably similar sampler, made in 1827 by Mary Farnham of Poultney, Vermont, included the wide spacing around the alphabets as well as the scattered and random placement of small single elements. Mary Farnham's sampler appeared as lot 143 in the Fall Weekend Auction of 26 to 27 October 2013, at Northeast Auctions in New Hampshire.NotesAccording to the 1850 census, Cordelia Emirettee Wheeler was born in 1836 in Glover, Orleans County, Vermont. This coincides with her age of twelve as given on her sampler dated 1848. She also worked the name of her town into the sampler text. So there is no question that this is the girl who stitched the sampler. Cordelia was a daughter of Silas Wheeler Jr. (1810 - 1885) and his wife Mary (b. ca. 1813). Silas was interred in the Westlook Cemetery in Glover. No other reference to his daughter could be found at this time. Glover is located in the northernmost central part of Vermont.

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