Object Number 2016.0006 A

Object Name

Needlework picture (Canvaswork picture)

Title

Fishing Lady

Category

Textiles (Needlework)

Credit Line/Donor

Museum purchase with funds provided by the Henry Francis du Pont Collectors Circle

Creator (Role)

Mary Perrin (Maker)
September 24, 1737
Mary Perrin (May) was born on September 24, 1737 in Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Noah Perrin Jr. (1708-1788) and Mary Scarborough (1710-1773). Noah and Mary married in 1736, and Mary Perrin was the eldest of their four children. Noah’s 1788 will survives and names his children Mary, Moses, and Son Perrin. Mary created this needlework picture ca. 1750 in Boston, possibly using a design created by Sarah Parsons Moorhead (1706-1774), who advertised her services as a drawing, painting, and japanning teacher in the Boston Evening Post in 1748 and 1754. Mary Perrin married Moses May on February 25, 1760 in Boston. Moses, according to Historic New England, "kept a store on Orange (now Washington) Street selling West-India, British and French dry goods." Moses died on January 24, 1815. Mary's brother, Son Perrin May (1767- 1844) was the father of Mary Perrin May (Bradlee) (1815-1877) who was the mother of Alice Bradlee (Chase) (1846-1925). A note on reverse of this needlework was signed by Katharine Bradlee Hammond, whose grandmother was the sister of Alice Bradlee Chase, and therefore was also a descendant of Mary Perrin (May). The inclusion of Alice’s name may indicate that the needlework was passed through this line originally, rather than that of Katharine Bradlee, her sister (for whom the author of the note was presumably named). Alice may not have had children with her husband Theodore Chase, which may explain the transfer to her sister’s line. Mary's brother, Son Perrin May (1767- 1844) was the father of Mary Perrin May (Bradlee) (1815-1877) who was the mother of Alice Bradlee (Chase) (1846-1925). A note on reverse of this needlework was signed by Katharine Bradlee Hammond, whose grandmother was the sister of Alice Bradlee Chase, and therefore was also a descendant of Mary Perrin (May). The inclusion of Alice’s name may indicate that the needlework was passed through this line originally, rather than that of Katharine Bradlee, her sister (for whom the author of the note was presumably named). Alice may not have had children with her husband Theodore Chase, which may explain the transfer to her sister’s line. The note on the reverse reads: "Alice was Alice Bradlee who married Theodore Chase. She was my grandmother Crowninshield's sister [signed] Katharine Bradlee Hammond". Another label on the back reads "Worked by Mary [Perin] Alice's Grandmother. / Important Boston School needlework – Ron Bourgeault / Sat. Nov. 9, 1993 – See Betty Ring Book with Furniture outside / on Label "Alice Bradlee who married Theodore Chase/ She was y grandmother Crowninshield’s sister…Katherine Bradlee Hammond /" Other label "Worked by Mary Perin from catalog Alice's grandmother." For a full genealogy of the family, descendants, Sarah Parsons Moorhead, and more of Lea Lane's research, see the object files in Registration. (RGW, 02/18/2016)

Sarah Parsons Moorhead (School mistress)
1706-1774
Per research conducted by Lea Lane in January 2016: Sarah Parsons Moorhead (Morehead, or Moorehead) (1706-1774) was the wife of Reverend John Moorhead. She was born in England and had many artistic skills. She is a likely candidate for the teacher advertising in the Boston Evening Post in 1748 and 1754. The advertisements read, in 1748: "Drawing, Japanning, and Painting on Glass, taught by Mrs. Sarah Morehead, at the Head of the Rope-Walks, near Fort Hill" and, in 1754: "PAINTING on Glass, Drawing and Japanning, taught by Sarah Morehead." Neither advertisement includes a specific address. John Morehead (variously, Moorehead) was born in Belfast, Ireland circa 1703. He was educated, though, in Scotland, as a Presbyterian minister. As an Ulster Scot, John Moorehead traveled to America in 1718. He settled in Boston Massachusetts. In 1727 the Federal Street Presbyterian Church was erected, and John Moorehead was chosen to serve as its first pastor. He was ordained on 21 March 1730. The Reverend John Morehead married Sarah Parsons and they gave birth to three children. John died in 1773. (Date accessed: 02/22/2016; http://www.motherbedford.com/Muirhead727.htm) For a full genealogy of the family, descendants, Sarah Parsons Moorhead, and more of Lea's research, see the object files in Registration. (RGW, 02/18/2016)

Place of Origin

Boston, Massachusetts, New England, United States, North America

Date

1745-1755

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

1. Label; Paper note on reverse; "Alice was Alice Bradlee who married Theodore Chase. She was my grandmother Crowninshield's sister [signed] Katharine Bradlee Hammond" (handwritten)
2. Label; Paper note on reverse; "Worked by Mary [Perin] Alice's Grandmother. / Important Boston School needlework - Ron Bourgeault / Sat. Nov. 9, 1993 - See Betty Ring Book with Furniture outside / on Label "Alice Bradlee who married Theodore Chase / She was y grandmother Crowninshield’s sister…Katherine Bradlee Hammond /" (handwritten)
3. Label; Paper note on reverse; "Worked by Mary Perin from catalog Alice's grandmother." (handwritten)

Materials

Linen; Wool

Techniques

Embroidered, Woven (plain), Canvaswork

Construction Description

Hand-embroidered

Dimensions (inches)

17.25 (L) , 15.5 (W)

Dimensions (centimeters)

43.815 (L) , 39.37 (W)

Measurement Notes

Measurement are of area visible within the frame.

Object Description

Text available soon.

Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes

[Book] Parmal, Pamela A. 2012 Women's Work: Embroidery in Colonial Boston.
• Similar: p. 88, fig. 55; p. 89 information on pattern drawer Sarah Moorhead