Sampler by Amanda N. Jarrett

Date1819

Maker Amanda N. Jarrett (1808-1884)

OriginAmerica, West Virginia, Monongalia County, Morgantown

MediumSilk and crinkled silk embroidery threads on a cotton ground of 32 weft by 28 warp threads per inch (fibers identified by microscope)

DimensionsOverall: 18 x 15in. (45.7 x 38.1cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2012-66

DescriptionThis is a rectangular sampler worked in shades of blue, brown, green, faded pink/red, and cream silk and crinkled silk embroidery threads on a natural color cotton ground. The sampler has two large meandering vine borders at sides. The center top of the sampler features a centered "strawberry tree" worked in queen stitches and flanked by two green trees. An inner two-toned sawtooth border encloses a two-story blue house, which is flanked by pots of large flowering vines. The house rests on a brown and cream checkered lawn. Beneath this are the following verses: "Jesus. sought.me/ When. a. strange/ r. wandring. from/ the. fold. of. god. he./ to. rescue. me. fro/ m. danger. interp/ osed. his. precious./ blood." and "While. thousand/ younger. Far. the/ an. I. have. closd./ their. earthly r/ ace. midst. tomb/ s. unnumberd. I. a/ m. spard. a. monu/ ment. of. grace" x.
The lower section of the sampler consists of the large initials "W. N. J" and "M J" and the signature line:
"Amanda.N.Jarrett.born/January.2nd.1808.and.mar/ked/
this.sampler.in.the./
12.year.of.her.age.in.the/
year.of.our.lord.1819.mo/rgantown.virginia"

Stitches: cross over one and two, eyelet, queen, and satin
Label TextThis colorful sampler worked by Amanda N. Jarrett represents a fully developed sampler form with outer meandering vine borders at sides, inner two-toned sawtooth border, two sets of family initials (WNJ and MJ for her parents), verses, signature line, and a beautifully executed "strawberry tree" worked in queen stitch at center top. Amanda also included her date of birth, January 2, 1808, and the year she completed the sampler, 1819. A striking feature of the sampler is the charming two-story blue house flanked by pots of large flowering vines. Most significant is the inscription firmly noting its creation in Morgantown, Virginia, a town now in Monongalia County, West Virginia. Samplers created in the western part of Virginia in the area that today makes up the state of West Virginia are rare with only a few regional styles identified.

Stitched in Time:
Just as parents might display their children's artwork today, samplers done by girls were often framed and hung in the home. A sampler was a physical representation of a young woman's accomplishments and her family's ability to provide her with a formal education. Interviewed by her daughter in the 1870s, Sarah Smith Emery (1787-1879) stated that "one was considered very poorly educated who could not exhibit a sampler."

Despite Amanda Jarrett's childhood in Virginia's Backcountry, she could consider herself well-educated by Emery's standards. Amanda completed this sampler in 1819 in her hometown of Morgantown, Virginia -- now part of West Virginia. Her parents owned a popular tavern, and Morgantown's first bank was organized in the Jarrett house in 1814.
Inscribed"Jesus. sought. me/ When. a strange/ r. wandring. from/ the. fold. of god. he./ to rescue. me. fro /m. danger. interp/ osed. his. precious. blood."

"While. thousand./ younger. For. th/ an. I . have. closd./ their. earthly. r/ ace. midst. tomb/ s. unnumberd. I. a/ m. spard. a monu/ ment. of. grace"
Markings"W.N.J x MJ" “Amanda.N.Jarrett.born/ January.2nd.1808.and.mar/ ked/ this.sampler.in.the./ 12.year.of.her.age.in.the/ year.of.our.lord.1819.mo/ rgantown.virginia"
Provenance1819, made by Amanda Jarrett (Morgantown, WV); 1982, Philip H. Bradley Antiques (Downingtown, PA); Prior to 2012, Betty Ring (Houston, TX); January 22, 2012, Sotheby's- Important American Schoolgirl Embroideries: The Landmark Collection of Betty Ring; 2012, purchased by M. Finkel & Daughter (Philadelphia, PA); 2012 purchased by The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)