Elizabeth S. Tirrell

A fine sampler with an interesting verse, this was made by Elizabeth Saunders Tirrell, age 12 years old and living in Boston. The verse offers advice to Elizabeth (Eliza) and, remarkably, seems to refer to the powers above as a female. 

Elizabeth was born April 9, 1814, to Thomas (1776-1843)  and Mary Taylor (Chandler) Tirrell, the youngest of their five children. Published family histories inform us that the Terrill family in America began five generations prior with William Terrill (c. 1633-1682) who was born in Yorkshire, England and arrived in Boston in 1654. 

In 1855, Elizabeth married Capt. John Mendel Nichols and they lived in Abington, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. She died in 1893 and is buried along with many family members in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge. 

The sampler was worked in silk on linen and is in excellent condition. It has been conservation mounted and is a modern frame.