Artist/Maker

Pitzer, Eliza Jane

Place Made

Date Made

1840

Medium

silk on linen

Dimensions

HOA: 11 3/4″ WOA: 15 1/2″

Accession Number

5800.5

Description

MAKER: Stitched by Eliza Jane Pitzer (1831-1903) in Botetourt County, Virginia in 1840. Eliza Jane was born to Joseph Pitzer (1803-1871) and Hester V. Ranson (1803-1840). Her mother died the year her sampler was completed in 1840. Eliza Jane is listed in the 1850 census living with her grandmother, Jane Pitzer, in Alleghany County, Virginia. Eliza Jane married William H. Bryan in Bath County, Virginia in 1855.

DESCRIPTION: Eliza Jane Pitzer’s sampler includes cross, herringbone, four-sided, eyelet, and queen stitches. Three uppercase and one lowercase alphabet sequences are featured along with a short numerical sequence. The sampler is inscribed “Eliza Jane Pitzer 1840”. Stitched motifs include two urns, two trees, two birds and a bowl of stacked fruit.

Credit Line

MESDA Purchase Fund