Mercy Peace Stainton

This praiseworthy sampler was carefully stitched by Mercy Peace Stainton and is dated October 10, 1806. She was born in 1792 to John Stainton and Mercy Pierce. Records indicate that she was christened in Ludford, a small parish in Lincolnshire; her parents were John and Mercy (Peace) Stainton. Census records indicate that John (1761-1851) was a publican in Ludford. The samplermaker, Mercy, married Levi Fletcher (1785-1863) who worked as a hosier (maker of knitted garments) and they had at least 5 children. She died in 1864. 

The sampler consists of very fine motifs skillfully stitched. As was the fashion for many English samplers, the composition is symmetrical and centered on a Biblical verse, "The Lord's Prayer" in this case. Only a few alphabets were stitched across the top, divided by decorative bands. Many classic motifs, such as the potted flowers, overstuffed baskets, crowns and birds fill the sampler; however, the most interesting images are the little bees buzzing around beehives, flanking the verse.

Mercy's inscription is encircled by an undulating vine with excellent queen's stitched flower buds. On either side, in the same fine border, are Biblical quotes, "Fear God and keep his commandments," and "Honour thy Father and mother that thy days may be long in the land." A vine with strawberries creates the border around her sampler, with a striped bird nested in each corner.

Worked in silk on fine linen, this sampler is in excellent condition. It has been conservation mounted into a black molded and painted frame.