Object Number 1993.0046

Object Name

Sampler (Fancy sampler)

Category

Textiles (Needlework)

Credit Line/Donor

Museum purchase with funds provided by the Special Fund for Collection Objects

Creator (Role)

Hannah McIntire (Maker)
1779-1867
Hannah McIntire, daughter-in-law of Jane Eakin (pocketbook 1993.0046), worked this sampler in 1790 in New Castle County, Delaware (White Clay Creek). Hannah's parents were Robert (b 1725 - d. 1789) and Ann McIntire. Hannah married Dr. James Couper and had two daugthers, Mary and Ann Jane Couper. Hannah died in 1867 at White Clay Creek. Hannah's sampler is related to those done by other White Clay Creek girls. Four generations of Jane Eakin's extended New Castle, Delaware family are represented in other objects in Winterthur's collection. See 1993.0046-.0049. For further details on Jane Eakin's genealogy see Notes and the object files in the Registrar's office.

Place of Origin

New Castle, Delaware, Mid-Atlantic, United States, North America

Date

1790

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

1. Inscription; ; "Hannah McIntiers Sampler / made in August 3 AD 1790 / in the Eleventh year of her / Age" (embroidered silk threads)

Materials

Linen; Silk

Techniques

Embroidered, Woven (plain)

Construction Description

Hand-embroidered

Dimensions (inches)

17.25 (L) , 13 (W)

Dimensions (centimeters)

43.815 (L) , 33.02 (W)

Object Description

Web - 05/15/2014

This is a linen fancy verse sampler worked with silk threads. In the 19th century, making a sampler was part of almost every young girl's schooling, including this example by Hannah McIntire of White Clay Creek in New Castle County, Delaware in 1790. Hannah was eleven years old when she worked her sampler. This type is often termed "fancy" because it has decorative embellishments that showcase her skill with a needle. The fine workmanship is an indicator of the investment made in her education. The sampler does not appear to have ever been attached to a backing or even framed for display, which may account for the silk threads retaining their brilliant color. Hannah's sampler has characteristics similar to those done by other White Clay Creek girls. The inscription on this sampler is as follows: "Youth tho' yet no loffes griev you / Gay in health and many a grace / Let not cloudless skies deceive you / Summer gives to atumn place / On the tree of life eternal / hayst all thy hopes be stay'd / Which alone forever vernal / Bears the leaves that never fade / Hannah McIntiers Sampler / made in August 3 AD 1790 in the Eleventh year of her / Age".

Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes

[Book] Eaton, Linda. 2007 Quilts in a Material World: Selections from the Winterthur Collection.
• Published: p. 61
[Article] Swan, Susan Burrows. 1985 Delaware Samplers. Delaware Antiques Show Catalogue. 6.
• Information on regional similarities; pp. 52-57
[Book] Fennimore, Donald L., et al. 1994 Eye for Excellence: Masterworks from Winterthur.
• Published: p. 93