Embroidery Sampler, 1799

From the mid-17th century until the Civil War, young girls learned useful embroidery skills by stitching samplers. Embroidered with alphabet letters, a verse, designs, or images, samplers demonstrated achievement and refinement. Young Mary Wakefield stitched this sampler in 1799 -- it was likely her first effort. Mary probably created more elaborate and ornamental works as she grew older.