Unfinished marking sampler in silk thread on linen ground executed entirely in cross stitch. Nine rows occupy the completed top half with the alphabet repeated four times and the numbers 1 through 9 completed once. Each alphabet set is separated by a small vertical line stitched with same color thread as 'Z' from concluding alphabet.
Row one repeats the letter "I" across the length of the sampler alternating colors every four letters. Rows two, three, and four contain alphabet in uppercase Roman letters with each letter duplicated with some exceptions and anomalies. For the most part, paired letters stitched in same color. Row two is A through L; row three is M through Y; row four contains Z from previous set and begins next alphabet set. All letters in next three sets are stitched once with some anomalies. A through S on row four; T through Z on row five. Next alphabet set begins on row five with A through O on row five and P through Z on row six. Row is finished with numbers 1 through 0 and three small pictorials of small yellow squares.
Row six contains maker's touchmark. Each name separated by small geometric pictorial followed by blue square pictorials. Row seven continues next alphabet set A through X. Alphabet concludes on row eight with Y and Z. Next alphabet begins on row eight; only A through E completed. Beginning stitches for next few letters remain.
Each row separated by simple band in various colors; no band separates the final two rows. Various colored threads used throughout including medium blue, blue, yellow, cream, and light green.
Provenance Narrative Completed by Abigail Hopping in 1739.
Abigail Hopping was born December 1726 Charlestown, MA (now a part of Boston) to William and Abigail Hopping. Married John Webber [1726-1759] on June 23, 1747. Died February 13th, 1755. John remarried in 1757. She lived and died in Charlestown, MA.
According to information provided by the donor: The maker was a second cousin 6 times removed and the sampler had been handed down through the family since 1739.
Place Made United States MASSACHUSETTS Boston Charlestown
Signatures/Marks IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII AAAABBCCDDEeFFGGhHIIKKLL MNOOPPQqRRSSTTUUWWXXYY ZZ AABCDEEFGHhIKLMNOPQRS TUWXYZ AABCDEFGHhIKLMNO PQRSTUWXYZ 123456789 ABIGAIL hOPPING 1739 ABCDEFGhIKLMNOPQRSTUWX YZ ABCDE I