This sampler came to us from a descendent of the maker, whose genealogical
records went back only as far as early 19th century Connecticut. to one
Elizabeth Lucas, whose great aunt Abbie made this “before the war”. This bit
of information had been passed along orally in the family and there is no
written record of where Aunt Abbie lived or died. A very similar piece is
pictured in American Samplers by Ethel Stanwood Bolton and Eva Johnson Coc.
unsigned but dated 1775. depicting a tree with apples in which appear
meaningful words such as: PARDON. VICTORY, SANCTIFICATION, BAPTISM, REFUGE.,
SECURITY, PROMISES, etc The existence of this similar dated sampler
reinforces the oral family tradition. The figures on Abbie's sampler are more
primitive than those on the 1775 sampler which suggests an earlier date.
The
verse is from Psalms I, and is illustrated by the scene above:
The shall be like a tree planted by he water side
that bring forth his fruit in due season.
Flanked by caped, winged, and harp playing angels, the sun above
proclaims PEACE, and the apples in the tree announce various Christian
virtues. Abbie worked her name in one of the apples. humbly, in a much paler
shade, which is difficult to read. The piece requires only cross stitch
(over one and two threads of linen) to complete. The silk ribbon and
rosettes shown on our model are not included with the kit, but are available
separately.
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