1959.1133 Sampler and 1991.0510 Frame
  • 1959.1133 Sampler and 1991.0510 Frame
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Sampler (Verse sampler)

  • Category:

    Textiles (Needlework)

  • Creator (Role):

    Rebecca Way (Maker)

  • Place of Origin:

    Chester, Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic, United States, North America

  • Secondary Place of Origin:

    Chester, Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic, United States, North America

  • Materials:

    Silk; Linen

  • Techniques:

    Embroidered, Woven (plain)

  • Museum Object Number:

    1959.1133


  • Complete Details



Object Number

1959.1133

Object Name

Sampler (Verse sampler)

Category

Textiles (Needlework)

Credit Line/Donor

Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont

Creator (Role)

Rebecca Way (Maker)
This sampler was worked by Rebecca Way of Chester County, Pennsylvania while in attendance at the Brandywine Boarding School in 1818. The Brandywine Boarding School was founded in 1816 and led by George Pierce, Jr. in Chester County, Brandywine Township, 5 miles from Downingtown. It was only in operation for five years. Rebecca's father, James Way of Philadelphia, was a good friend of Pierce, received supscriptions for the school. (See object files in Registration.)

Place of Origin

Chester, Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic, United States, North America

Secondary Place of Origin

Chester, Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic, United States, North America

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

1. Inscription; Bottom line of text; "Rebecca Way./ 1818" (embroidered silk threads)

Materials

Silk; Linen

Techniques

Embroidered, Woven (plain)

Construction Description

Hand-embroidered

Dimensions (inches)

11.5 (L) , 13.1 (W)

Dimensions (centimeters)

29.21 (L) , 33.274 (W)

Measurement Notes

Dimensions refer to area of needlework visible within frame.

Object Description

Web - 05/20/2014

This is a linen verse sampler worked with navy blue silk threads in 1818 by Rebecca Way who attended the Brandywine Boarding School. The school, though only in operation for five years, proved to be an example of excellent instruction. Rebecca's sampler features an undulating vine-and-leaf border in the style of the Westtown School, a style that seems to have been adopted by other schools run by the Society of Friends. The vine-and-leaf border surrounds an excerpt from English poet Edward Young's "Night Thoughts on Life, Death, & Immortality, "Night VII" " written between 1742 and 1745. Young was immensely popular and was much read in America in the early 19th century. The inscription on Rebecca's sampler follows: "Brandywine Boarding School. / The Almighty, from his throne, on earth surveys / Nought greater, than an honest, humble heart, / An humble heart, his residence pronounced / His second seat, and rival to the skies. / The private path, the secret acts of men, / If noble, far the noblest of our lives. / Young. / Rebecca Way. / 1818"

Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes

[Book] Swan, Susan Burrows. 1977 Plain & Fancy: American Women and Their Needlework, 1700-1850.
Published: p. 64, 65, fig. 30