Artist/Maker:

Gould, Ann

Place Made:

Date Made:

1807

Medium:

silk on linen

Dimensions:

HOA: 17; WOA: 12 1/4

Accession Number:

4042.1

Description:

In the center of this sampler are two partial alphabets and one partial set of numerals. Also the inscription (see below). The border is composed of boxes containing a variety of flowers.

Two=ply twisted silk on plain weave linen; stitches: chain, counted cross, outline, rice, satin, single, split.

History:

Note the similarities between this work and that of her sister Elisabeth. The two girls apparently studied under the same teacher. Note also that the two works are not exact duplicates of each other. Although they follow the same basic design and include identical motifs, each girl chooses certain distinct elements. Also, Ann’s stitching is not as refined as that of Elisabeth, who was five years her senior.

Needlework researcher Gloria Allen believes that these samplers were worked at a school in Queen Anne County, Maryland on the Eastern Shore as there are six almost identical samplers from that area, between 1807 and 1811. She writes, “Elizabeth and Ann Gould were the daughters of William and Anna Gould. He died in 1817 and named his wife and children in his will. Elizabeth, the only married daughter is identified in the will as Elizabeth Alexander–so the evidence is pretty strong. The other four samplers are by Julia Ann Hardcastle [in MESDA’s files and in part of QAC that became Caroline County], Elizabeth Baggs [Bolton & Co., p. 124], and Mary and Ann Browne [owned by the historical society of Carroll County.” (Gloria Allen e-mail to Johanna Brown 10/02/03–copy in Accession folder).

Each of the six sampler feature a brick house with garden, side borders divided into compartmented filled with flowers and birds, and a verse from Proverbs 31:10 – 31. The compartmented elements on these samplers are reminiscent of work produced at Leah Bratten Galligher Maguire’s school in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Perhaps the anonymous teacher responsible for this distinctive Maryland group had attended or was familiar with Mrs. Maguire’s sampler style.

Credit Line:

MESDA Purchase Fund