Sampler (1513)

Marking sampler, black silk thread on natural linen ground, entirely in cross stitch. The first four rows are an upper case Roman alphabet with four variations on the letter W followed by an ampersand and the maker's first, middle, and last initials. The next two rows are a lower case roman alphabet concluding with the maker's first and last initials. A short verse follows on two lines; the last three lines are the maker's name, the initials PR, her town, and the date followed by numerals 1-5. Each section is divided by a different decorative band. The sampler is hemmed on all four sides.

Provenance Narrative Sally Russell was born in Smithfield, Rhode Island July 8, 1798, the daughter of John and Phebe Windsor Russell. She died unmarried at the age of 59 in Kent County, Rhode Island. The PR at the bottom of the sampler may signify her mother.

Place Made United States RHODE ISLAND Smithfield

Signatures/Marks ABCDEFGHIJK LLMMNNOPQRS STTUVWWW WXYZ&SRR abcdefghiklmnop qrstuvwxyz.SR Let virtue be a guide to thee Sally Russell.PR. Smithfield July 8th AD 1798.12345