Sheet (Bed sheet)
Museum Object Number1982.0059 |
Object Name
Sheet (Bed sheet)
Category
Textiles
Credit Line/Donor
Gift of Mary Hoxie Jones in memory of Frances Canby Ferris
Creator (Role)
Frances C. Ferris (Maker)
Creator Notes
"Fanny Canby's/trousseau Married Benjamin Ferris in 1804. My great/great grand parents-./Francis Canby Ferris 9.13.1953" Frances (Fanny) Canby was born in 1778 in the village of Brandywine, near Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware. Her parents were Martha Marriott (1747-1836) and William Canby (1748-1830). Her father was a prosperous miller. On her silk on linen genealogical sampler, she listed all of her siblings with the exception of her youngest brother, Marriott Canby, who was not yet born at that time. She also listed her parents, grandparents, and aunts and uncles. Although Frances Canby lived in Wilmington, she may have gone to school in Philadelphia, where this style usually emanates. Fanny married Benjamin Ferris, a watchmaker in Philadelphia, on May 17, 1804. She and Benjamin eventually moved from Philadelphia back to Wilmington and had ten children. Six of those survived into adulthood. Fanny died in 1833 at 55 years old. (RGWeisberg, 07/22/2014) Per previous cataloger: Frances Canby (Ferris) included both dead and living relatives. For example at the time of its making Oliver Canby, Thomas Marriott, Sarah Marriott, Sarah Canby and Sara Canby were deceased. She listed all of her siblings with the exception of Marriott Canby who was not yet born at that time. The latest entry is 1784 (Anna Canby, b. 1784). This needlework piece closely relates to the Elizabeth Rush sampler dated 1734 (75.116). Although Frances Canby lived in Wilmington, she may have gone to school in Philadelphia, where this style usually emanates. It is one of the longest-lived regional sampler styles known. A letter gives some genealogical data and an envelope with handwritten note describes the descent of the sampler (see Object Folder for this note). The information in the object folder verified by Wilmington Friends records, "Kith & Kin" (a manuscript by Benjamin Ferris), and the family Bible at Swarthmore College. Reference to all can be found at Hist- [comments end, per previous cataloger] (See object folder for geneaological information.) The Marriotts and the Canbys were both wealthy and well connected families in the Brandywine valley. They intermarried into other Quaker families such as the Shipley's and Ferris's. They made their fortune milling along the Brandywine river and secured their place among the Wilmington elite by intermarrying to secure business relationships and familial wealth. (For more information on the Canby's and the Marriott's see David B. Warren, "Quaker Oligarchy on the Brandywine: A Study of the Affluence and Conservatism of Four Prominent Families of Eighteenth century Wilmington," Masters Thesis, UD, June 1965.)
Place of Origin
Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware, Mid-Atlantic, United States, North America
Dimensions (inches)
95 (L) , 83 (W)
Dimensions (centimeters)
241.3 (L) , 210.82 (W)
Object Description
Text available soon.