Ann Elizabeth Hall

This praiseworthy sampler is very appealing on many levels. The fine Federal house is flanked by intricate wrought iron fencing and unusual trees. Several appealing sampler motifs such as lustrous roses, baskets of fruit and a bird perched on a branch share the space above. The two-stanza verse is one of the most delightful that we have found in our many years working with antique samplers.

Additionally, the sampler retains its original green silk ribbon, a characteristic of some of the finest samplers made in parts of southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey.

The sampler is signed, "Ann Elizabeth Hall's Performance In the 9th year of her age in the year of our Lord 1830." The use of the word "performance" is interesting. Notably, samplers were seen as a demonstration of proficiency in the same manner as a poetry declamation or a musical performance.

Ann Elizabeth Hall was born in 1822, one of several children of Isaac and Susanna (Smith) Hall of Lancaster County. The family resided in Strasburg, which is south of the city of Lancaster. In 1850, Ann married a carpenter, Abraham Anderson (1824-1901), and by 1853 they had removed to Springfield, Clark County, Ohio. They became the parents of three sons. Ann died in 1892 and is buried in Vale Cemetery in Springfield.  

The sampler was worked in silk on linen with its original silk ribbon. It is in excellent condition and has been conservation mounted into its fine, original mahogany frame with rosette corner blocks.