Nancy Sanborn,
Gilmanton, New Hampshire,
1831

Sampler size:
16" x 17¼"

Price: $sold

Enlarged and Printer Version

As stated on her handsome sampler, Nancy Sanborn was born on January 27, 1819. Her parents were Meshech Sanborn and his wife, Rebecca (Morrill) Sanborn, and she was the first of their five daughters. The family lived in Gilmanton, a small town northwest of Portsmouth. The Sanborn family were early settlers of New Hampshire, Puritans who emigrated to America, sailing on the ship William and Frances, circa 1632. Nancy's ancestors populated the towns of Gilmanton, Gilford, Hampton Falls, and Hampton for centuries. Indeed, the town of Sanbornton, New Hampshire is named for a branch of the family.

Many excellent samplers have been made in the area nearby Gilmanton, including the most important group of Canterbury, New Hampshire samplers; there were knowledgeable teachers who spent decades teaching young ladies. Nancy Sanborn was "in her 11th year" when she completed this fine sampler. The upper portion is filled with a variety of alphabets, and with a particularly fine horizontal band of geometric diamond-shaped elements underneath. An interesting and highly developed scene is laid out below: a pair of unusual checkerboard flower pots flank a fascinating center element, which has its precedent in 18th century Boston band sampler design, with the addition of tiny birds and flowers decorating the enclosed spaces. A delicate bouquet of wildflowers and a leafy tree with big birds in its branches provide further decoration. Between the tree and the flower pot are two little ladies in bonnets with other birds and butterflies interspersed. The sampler is surrounded on four sides by a fine stylized border and the needlework is neat and well executed throughout.

In 1844 Nancy married John Morrill, a farmer, and they had two sons, Stark and John. The family remained in the area and was living in 1880 when the census recorded all four residing together along with Nancy's sister, Philena and a servant. A great deal of genealogical information, including photocopies of 17th century documents, accompanies this sampler.

The sampler is worked in silk on linen and is in excellent condition. It has been conservation mounted and is in a black molded and painted frame.

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