Memorial to Clarrissa M. Strong

This is a small, unusual memorial in the tradition of the many excellent silk embroideries  made in New England in the first decades of the 19th century. The silk needlework is extremely fine and delicate, typical of early silk embroideries, however it was worked on very small-scale perforated paper, which was in vogue in the 1840s.

The inscriptions read, “Gone but not Forgotten / Clarrissa M. Strong Wife of Rev Jason Atwater Died in Middlebury Feb, 13th 1844 Aged 35 Yrs.” Much is known about the Strong family as Clarrissa’s father, Rev. Dr. Lyman Strong (1781-1861) of Southampton, Massachusetts was a highly regarded physician, educator, college president and theologian who graduated from Williams College in 1802. He held positions in Massachusetts, Connecticut and South Carolina. Many 19th century published sources include descriptions of Rev. Strong and the research file that accompanies this is substantial. 

Clarrissa was born on June 24,1809, the eldest of the children of Rev. Strong and his wife, Clarrissa (Morse) Strong. In 1837, in Colchester, Connecticut, she married Rev. Jason Atwater, a Yale graduate, class of 1825. He was a pastor in Middlebury when his wife died suddenly.  

While we don’t know who made this fine memorial, it’s likely that it was made for Rev. Strong by a parishioner. 

Worked in silk on perforated paper, it is in excellent condition and remains in its original beveled frame.