Jane Taylor

The 18th century samplers made in Chester County, Pennsylvania have been the subject of study by scholars and curators since the 1960s. They feature strong regional characteristics, sophisticated design and expert needlework. Influences on this needlework include the samplermaking traditions from Philadelphia, specifically the bands and compartments, tiny pine trees, queen’s-stitched motifs and listings of family names, all worked in very fine silk stitches onto gauze-like linen. We are delighted to offer this praiseworthy and significant sampler, an excellent example of this group.

This sampler is signed (see detail below) inside the small box just above the fine horizontal tulip and flower band, “Jane Taylor’s work done / in the 15th year of her / age” and the band above that  reads, “the names of the seven children of John Taylor / & Elizabeth his wife. Mary Eliza John / Ann Jane Sarah & David Taylor 1794.” 

In the lower portion of the sampler, other text reads, "O that we may li / ve in love That / God your condu / ct may approve," "Give first to G / od the flower / of thy Youth," and "Take for thy / guide the bles / sed word of truth."

Jane was born on March 14, 1780, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Taylor. Her siblings were born between 1768 and 1784. Notable was her brother, John Taylor, Jr. (1775-1820), a lawyer and legislator who became Chief Judge of the Superior Court of Mississippi. Much information about this family is published in the 1881 volume, History of Chester County with Genealogical and Biographical Sketches (Futhy and Cope) and photocopies are in the file that accompanies the sampler. 

Jane married Amos Worthington (1773-1834) in 1799, and they resided in West Goshen where they raised seven children: Isaac, John, Wilmer, Carver, Malinda, Amos and Lewis. Their most accomplished child was Dr. Wilmer Worthington, physician and founder of the American Medical Association and member of the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, an advocate for public school education.

Jane died at age 93 in 1873 and the West Chester newspaper published notice of this, calling Jane a very estimable woman. She is buried in Oaklands Cemetery in West Goshen along with family members.  

The sampler was worked in silk on linen and is in excellent condition. It has been conservation mounted into an early gold leaf frame. 

detail of sampler's signature