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VERMONT SAMPLER.

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VERMONT SAMPLER.
Polly Campbell, Putney, Windham County, 1800, silk on linen. Ten-year-old Polly executed her sampler using colorful threads on upper and lower case alphabets and numbers. Below this she included the following information: "Putney Vermont", "[July] 4th 1800", "Polly Campbell born February 3 rd 1790 Aged ten years" and a succinct verse "Revere Virtue Detest Vice". A stylized basket flanked by potted plants ornaments the bottom and a delicate chain and hemstitch finish the edges. Good strong colors. Conservation mounted and framed. 10 1/2"h. 14 3/4"w. Ex M. Finkel & Daughter (Pennsylvania).

Polly's father, Dr. John Campbell (1754-1820), descended from a prominent Massachusetts family involved in the medical profession. He married Martha Stevens (1754-1825) in 1777, and by 1787 moved to Vermont where Polly was born. In February, 1824, Polly married a Westmoreland, New Hampshire, man, Tillotson Wheeler (1781-1855). Their four children are listed as being born in Tittleton, New Hampshire, the youngest an infant when the young family became one of the first settlers in Webster Township, Michigan, in 1832. Polly lived to age 93, dying in Webster in 1883.

Vermont samplers are rare and only a few Putney examples have surfaced. One made by Becca Read, also dated 1800, is almost identical. Becca and Polly most certainly were school mates and worked their samplers under the tutelage of the same instructor at the same Vermont school. See Glee Krueger's New England Samplers to 1840, fig. 83.

Historical research accompanies the lot.

Condition: Very minor thread loss appearing in the July 4th date.

Descriptions provided in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Interested bidders are strongly encouraged to request a condition report on any lots upon which they intend to bid, prior to placing a bid. All transactions are governed by our Conditions of Sale.

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