Elizabeth Benjamin
Location: Sharon - Sharon Museum and Gardens, Ontario
Estimated Date Stitched:
February 25, 1839
Estimated Age of Stitcher:
School and/or Teacher:
Name of Stitcher:
Elizabeth Benjamin
Type of Sampler:
alphabet, numbers
Size of Sampler:
Width: 8.25in
Height: 13.75in
Description:
Neither mounted or framed but in Mylar.
Hemmed on 3 sides with a 2 folded hem using whip stitch with thread the same colour as the fabric. The 4th side being the right, is not hemmed and appears to be the salvage.
Borders
Outer border is an alternating cross stitch in groups of 2.
Under each row
Row 1 is 3 rows of cross stitch. Top and bottom are the same being in groups of 2 with 1 stitch space in between. The middle row is a cross stitch that is stitched in the area of the open space left in rows 1 and 2.
Row 2 is several rows of cross stitch forming a diamond shape.
Row 3 is eyelets forming a cross type configuration and up against one another.
row 4 is a cross stitch wave.
Row 5 is 3 rows of alternating cross stitch.
Row 6 is 2 rows of cross stitch, stitched in groups of 3 and completed in 2 different colours. Total effect is 2 full rows of cross stitch.
Row 7 and 10 are 2 rows of cross stitch grouped in 2s and alternating.
Row 8 is 3 rows of cross stitch that form a chain link type motif.
Row 9 is a square wave pattern stitched in cross stitch.
Motifs
Main floral in centre of motif area. 2 animals that appear to be dogs. 2 triangular trees with colour that may be to appear in bloom. 2 birds by top of floral arrangement. In the top area of motif section there are motifs in each corner of the area stitched in a colour close to the fabric colour and cannot be distinguished except as non descriptive motifs. 2 diamond shaped motifs in bottom corners of motif area.
Thread colours – green, deep pink, light brown, beige the colour of the fabric, yellow, red, orange, black
Back
The darning in and stitching appears very neat and no trailing of threads between letters, motifs, etc.
Condition: Poor
Description of condition:
Fabric deterioration – in the bottom half there are several wholes in the fabric. The bottom of the sampler in the motifs area seems the less faded. It would appear that perhaps the upper portion received more sun which also deteriorated the threads.
Thread deterioration – Most of the letters and numbers have thread missing.
Fabric Type:
Linen
Approximate thread count:
28
Embroidery thread type:
cotton
Number of letters: Number of Alphabets: 2
Case: Upper Case, Lower Case
Description of alphabets:
2 upper case – 1st one very large and second one smaller in a scroll font.
Number of sets of numerals: Number of sets of numerals: 1
Description of numerals:
1-12
Borders: simple cross
Motifs: plants, animals, other
Type of stitches: cross
Name or initials on sampler: Elizabeth Benjamin
Verse or Inscription:
Owner / Donor Story:
Miss C. E. Walker
Other Information:
Photographs
No. of photographs: Number of photographs: 4
Description of photographs:
1 Full sampler
2 Alphabets and numbers
3 Motifs
4 Back of sampler
Reference numbers: (Museum, archive or other references associated with sampler)
950.2.2
If you have more info about this sampler, please contact us at samplers@eac-acb.ca