Textiles (Needlework)
Hepzebah Baker (Maker)
Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, New England, United States, North America
1737
Silk; Linen
Embroidered, Woven (plain)
1987.0060
Object Number1987.0060 |
Sampler (Alphabet or band sampler)
Textiles (Needlework)
Museum purchase with funds provided by the Special Fund for Collection Objects
Hepzebah Baker (Maker)
July 19, 1725-before 1761
Hepzebah Baker was born in Massachusetts, probably Boston, on July 19, 1725. She worked this silk on linen sampler in 1737 at an unknown school. Hepzebah's parents were John Baker (1664-1749) and Mary Sale (1681-1753); married on October 23, 1701 in Boston. Hepzebah's paternal grandparents were John Baker (1640-1732) and Thankful Foster (1640-1697). Her maternal grandparents were Ephraim Sale (1638-1690) and Mary Foster (1655-1753). Thankful and Mary Foster were sisters, and their father's name was Hopestill Foster. Hepzebah married Joseph Stevens, who was born on February 26, 1725 in Andover, Massachusetts and died on March 27, 1799, also in Andover. Hepzebah and Joseph married on January 11, 1749 in the Old North Church in Boston. Joseph's parents were James Stevens (1686-1769) and Dorothy Frye (1695-1751). Hepzebah and Joseph had a child together; Joseph Stevens (b. Oct. 1, 1749, d. 1803). Hepzebah must have died prior to 1761, because Joseph remarried Alice Kidder that year.
Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, New England, United States, North America
1737
1. Inscription; Separated by large tree motif at bottom; Right: "Hepzebah / Baker end / of her age" Left: "this sampler / in the thir / teen year / 1737"
Religious imagery; Adam and Eve; Biblical scene
Silk; Linen
Embroidered, Woven (plain)
Hand-embroidered
18.25 (L) , 8.5 (W)
46.355 (L) , 21.59 (W)
Dimensions refer to area of needlework visible within frame.
This is a silk on linen alphabet or band sampler worked in 1738 by Hepzebah Baker of Boston, Massachusetts. This sampler is one of a group of Boston samplers currently identified with a particular unknown school. The narrow upper bands and a band of hexagons, usually toward the center, are characteristic of this group. Many of these samplers also feature an Adam and Eve panel. This sampler is unusual as it features a tree, several birds, and flower-filled vases instead. Within this group, all of the alphabets have the early A's, no J's, and no U's. On Hepzebah's sampler, there are a few places where the original ink lines are still visible. The inscription, separated by the large tree motif, reads: Right: "Hepzebah / Baker end / of her age" Left: "this sampler / in the thir / teen year / 1737"
[Book] Swan, Susan Burrows. 1995 Plain and Fancy: American Women and their Needlework, 1650-1850.
• Published: p. 58, fig. 25